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A new questionnaire instrument, the Life Satisfaction Index for Adolescents (LSIA), has been developed for adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This article reviews the conceptual basis of the LSIA, its development, and its reliability and validity (established with 15 male adolescents with DMD). (DB)

Purpose: To: 1) characterize the overall experience in using the McGill immersive wheelchair - community centre (miWe-CC) simulator; and 2) investigate the experience of presence (i.e., sense of being in the virtual rather than in the real, physical environment) while driving a PW in the miWe-CC. Method: A qualitative research design with structured interviews was used. Fifteen clinicians and 11 children were interviewed after driving a power wheelchair (PW) in the miWe-CC simulator. Data were analyzed using the conventional and directed content analysis approaches. Results: Overall, participants enjoyed using the simulator and experienced a sense of presence in the virtual space. They felt a sense of being in the virtual environment, involved and focused on driving the virtual PW rather than on the surroundings of the actual room where they were. Participants reported several similarities between the virtual community centre layout and activities of the miWe-CC and the day-to-day reality of paediatric PW users. Conclusion: The simulator replicated participants' expectations of real-life PW use and promises to have an effect on improving the driving skills of new PW users. Implications for rehabilitation: Among young users, the McGill immersive wheelchair (miWe) simulator provides an experience of presence within the virtual environment. This experience of presence is generated by a sense of being in the virtual scene, a sense of being involved, engaged, and focused on interacting within the virtual environment, and by the perception that the virtual environment is consistent with the real world. The miWe is a relevant and accessible approach, complementary to real world power wheelchair training for young users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobility is important for participation in daily activities and a power wheelchair (PW) can improve quality of life of individuals with mobility impairments. A virtual reality simulator may be helpful in complementing PW skills training, which is generally seen as insufficient by both clinicians and PW users. To this end, specific, ecologically valid activities, such as entering an elevator and navigating through a shopping mall crowd, have been added to the McGill wheelchair (miWe) simulator through a user-centred approach. Purpose:The objective of this study was to validate the choice of simulated activities in a group of newly trained PW users. Methods:We recruited 17 new PW users, who practiced with the miWe simulator at home for two weeks. They then related their experience through the Short Feedback Questionnaire, the perceived Ease of Use Questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews. Results:Participants in general greatly appreciated their experience with the simulator. During the interviews, this group made similar comments about the activities as our previous group of expert PW users had done. They also insisted on the importance of realism in the miWe activities, for their use in training. Discussion:A PW simulator may be helpful if it supports the practice of activities in specific contexts (such as a bathroom or supermarket), to complement the basic skills training received in the clinic (such as driving forward, backward, turning, and avoiding obstacles). Implications for RehabilitationNew power wheelchair users appreciate practicing on a virtual reality simulator and find the experience useful when the simulated diving activities are realistic and ecologically valid.User-centred development can lead to simulated power wheelchair activities that adequately capture everyday driving challenges experienced in various environmental contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Mindfulness, defined as “a purposeful, non-anxious, reflective presence,” (Epstein, 2003a, p. 1) has been identified as a potentially key practice skill of effective health care practitioners working in mental-health settings. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore the cultivation and use of mindfulness in the clinical practice and everyday lives of occupational therapists who practice in mental health. Results revealed that mindfulness is perceived as being an important clinical quality, which enhances therapist well-being and effectiveness, and contributes to improved client outcomes. Relevance to occupational therapy practice philosophies and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An online survey was conducted with 72 Canadian occupational therapists to (1) explore if and how occupational therapists were aware of 'arising moments' in clinical practice, which are moments that give rise to emotions, sensations, and thoughts, and (2) to examine therapists' responses to questions related to mindfulness. Participants described arising moments through an open-ended survey question. Framework analysis was used to develop key themes and subthemes. A modified Philadelphia Mindfulness Awareness (PHLMS) subscale with two additional survey questions 'understanding of living in the moment and being present, and awareness of mindfulness' (sum = PAM) were used as indicators of mindfulness. There were significant differences in the means of PHLMS mindfulness among therapists working in diverse practice areas ( F = 3.63, p = .009). Posthoc analysis revealed that therapists working in mental health had higher mean PHLMS-mindfulness scores than in all other groups. There were no significant differences in PAM mindfulness among the practice areas (ANOVA, F = 2.15, p = .08). However, posthoc tests showed that the participants in the mental health practice area had a significant difference with one group, general physical health. Findings have implications for practice in occupational therapy and education about mindfulness in occupational therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pediatric Volitional Questionnaire (PVQ) was used along with the Test of Playfulness (TOP) to assess 16 children with cerebral palsy who took part in a study of virtual reality play intervention. Both observational measures are designed to assess children as they are engaged in occupations in one or more environments. Virtual reality offers an alternative play environment for children who have disabilities. It eliminates several physical barriers usually encountered in real life. It also is a powerful medium for engaging and providing a sense of control and enjoyment with the tasks engaged with. Several virtual environments and activities were offered to the children over an eight-week period. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between these two measures that were used to assess aspects of motivation and playfulness, and to explore which aspects of these measures are most correlated when assessing children in virtual environments. The Pearson correlation calculated between the average motivation score of the TOP and the average PVQ score was significant ( r = .47, p = .05). The item correlations were all non-significant except for two. These were item 6 'stays engaged' ( r = .51, p = .03) and item 9 'tries to produce effects' ( r = .55, p = .02). There is some evidence that these two measures are tapping into similar constructs. These results will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]