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This study aimed to examine the effects of a visual praxis‐based occupational therapy (VPOT) program on reading and motor skills for children with developmental dyslexia (DD). Forty‐two children were included in the study. Additionally, before VPOT, the Reading‐Aloud and Reading‐Comprehension Test 2 (ORSRC‐2) and the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Motor‐Proficiency‐Test‐2‐Brief Form (BOT2‐BF) were applied to the participants. According to the study design, VPOT was applied to two sessions per week for 8 weeks to group A. During this period, group B was accepted as the control group. At the end of these 8 weeks, evaluation tests were applied to both groups. Then, group A was defined as the control group and Group B as the intervention group, and VPOT was applied to Group B. At the end of another 8 weeks, evaluation tests were applied to both groups for the third time. When the final ORSRC‐2 results were examined, VPOT was found to be an effective program for improving reading skills. Additionally, when the final BOT2‐BF results were examined, VPOT was determined to be effective in improving motor skills (p < 0.05). We believe that it is important to carry out comprehensive studies such as the VPOT program to solve problems in the physical and learning activities of children with DD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CLOSER is a computer-based exercise program that aims to improve older adults' health, fitness and social lives. This pilot study aimed to examine the effect of CLOSER, the first computer-based exercise program developed for older adults on a national scale, on those with a history of falls. Forty-eight older adults (71.33 ± 7.47) with a history of falling at least once in the last year were included in the study. Older adults performed CLOSER exercises for (balance maintenance, neck rotation, rhythmic walking, knee flexion and trunk rotation) 2 sessions per week for eight weeks. All individuals were evaluated at baseline and the end of the eighth week. The primary outcome measures were the 30-s Chair-Stand Test (p = 0.002), the Berg Balance Scale (p = 0.002), the Falls Efficacy Scale International (p = 0.003), the Timed Up and Go Test (p = 0.008) and the motivation level (p = 0.007) statistically significant improvements were observed. The results show that a CLOSER-computer-based exercise program effectively increases balance and reduces the risk and fear of falling. In the future, CLOSER could significantly contribute to the healthcare system as an alternative aid for home-based exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to investigate the environmental factors such as supports and barriers that have been faced by those children with SLD between the before and after COVID-19 lockdown and their involvement, participation frequency and desire for change. The participation features as well as the environmental factors at home, school and community settings of these children (n: 61; mean age: 9.37 ± 1.50 year)during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown were assessed by using the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY) instrument via Internet access. The differences in participation frequency, involvement, desire for change, and environmental factors (supports and barriers) for school and community settings between the pre and post COVID-19 pandemic lockdown were found to be p < 0.01. There were no statistical differences at home settings in terms of participation frequency and supports (p > 0.05). This study provides information about the participation levels of children with special needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the environmental factors faced by these children. The results are expected to contribute to the rehabilitation program that may improve the participation levels of children with special needs, and determine where greater efforts are needed to support so as to raise their participation levels and improve environmental features after the quarantine process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children's occupational performance and participation. It is known that the Covid pandemic has adversely affected the whole world in many areas. We aim to investigate the occupational performance and participation of children with DCD before and during the COVID‐19. Methods: Sixty‐five children aged 5–12 years included in the study were assessed by the Canadian Measure of Occupational Performance and the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth. Results: Statistically significant differences were detected in occupational performance and satisfaction scores (p < 0.01). Additionally, except for 'involvement in the home environment' (p > 0.05), there were statistically significant differences in all other areas of participation (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The occupational performance and participation of children with DCD are impacted during COVID‐19. In addition, it is seen that the desire of families to change regarding participation has increased due to COVID‐19. It would be beneficial to include strategies to improve these areas in the rehabilitation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neurocognitive sequelae are among the most debilitating effects of cancer observed in children. Yet we know very little about the impact on neurocognitive functioning, especially cancer types that develop outside the central nervous system. This study aimed to assess and compare the cognitive functions (CoF) of children with bone tumours and lymphoma in the treatment process. Methods: The CoF of children with bone tumours (n = 44), lymphoma (n = 42) and their non‐cancer peers (n = 55) were assessed with Dynamic Occupational Therapy Assessment for Children. The CoF of children with cancer were compared with their non‐cancer peers. Then, children with bone tumours and lymphoma were compared in binary. Results: One‐hundred forty‐one children aged 6–12 years with a mean age of 9.4 (SD = 1.5) were included in this study. The orientation and visuomotor construction functions of children with bone tumours and orientation, praxis and visuomotor construction functions of children with lymphoma performed worse than their non‐cancer peers (pk < 0.001). While orientation, spatial perception, visuomotor construction and thinking operations functions of children with bone tumours and lymphoma were similar (pk > 0.016), praxis functions of children with lymphoma were found to be worse than children with bone tumours (pk < 0.016). Conclusions: Our findings show that children with bone tumours and lymphoma in the process of treatment are at risk for impairment of their CoF. The findings highlight the importance of assessing CoF in children with bone tumours and lymphoma and considering specific differences between groups. It is essential to assess CoF and develop early intervention plans in these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Participation was shown to be associative with subjective health (SH) in many different populations, including emerging adults. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate SH and associative variables in emerging adults with different levels of participation limitations. Methods: Healthy university students who were between 18–25 years of age were included. SH was assessed with the visual analog scale. The participants were grouped based on P-Scale. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to determine the associative variables of SH for each P-Scale group. Results: A total of 572 participants were included. General health-related quality of life was associated with SH in all P-Scale groups. Other prominent findings of this study showed perception of health, income, and lifestyle were among the most significant associative variables of SH. Conclusion: Variables associated with emerging adults' SH change with their participation restrictions. Therefore, different approaches are needed to improve the subjectively perceived health status of emerging adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sensory processing is crucial to adaptive behavioural responses in occupational therapy. Nevertheless, information on sensory processing in adults is limited. The Adult Sensory Processing Scale (ASPS) measures behavioural responses indicative of sensory processing in different sensory systems. The study aimed to examine the cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the ASPS-Turkish (ASPS-T). Methods: The ASPS-T was administered to 405 individuals, who were aged 18 to 64 (38.5 ± 11.4) years. The cross-cultural adaptation and translation procedures were conducted following Beaton's guidelines. Internal consistency was examined by Cronbach's alpha. Criterion-related validity of the ASPS was determined by the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile using Construct validity and was examined by confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS. Results: The study included 405 participants (271 female and 134 male). Exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation determined 11 factors with 55.15% total variance. In confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), model fit indices showed an acceptable fit. The reliability of the scale was 0.834, and test–retest reliability changed from 0.94 to 0.99, illustrating high internal consistency and excellent reliability of the scale. Conclusions: The ASPS-T is reliable and valid for analysing sensory processing patterns of adults in the Turkish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]