Browsing by Subject "social participation"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Evidence for the Effectiveness of Occupation-Based Interventions to Improve Social Participation for School-Aged Autistic Children: A Rapid Systematic Review
    (2021-05-05) Hernandez, Jocelyne; Belkiewitz, Johnna; Feldman, Anna; Payne, Chafin; Smith, Cassie; Taylor, Abigail; Chase, Anthony; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences
    A rapid systematic review of the literature was conducted to review effective occupational therapy interventions for promoting social participation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was conducted as part of the Evidence-Based Literature Review Project of the American Occupational Therapy Association. This review provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of 30 studies that addressed many of the occupation-based interventions commonly used for children with ASD. Findings reveal that the use of occupation-based activities has reasonable, yet limited evidence to support its effectiveness in increasing social participation within this population. This review supports the premise that many client factors can be positively affected through the use of several commonly used occupational therapy–related modalities and methods. Further research should be conducted assessing the implementation of these interventions by occupational therapy practitioners to ensure generalizability. The implications for occupational therapy practice, research, and education and limitations of reviewed articles are presented within this systematic review.
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    The Impact of an Adapted Dance Fitness Program on Sport Performance Outcomes
    (2021-04-16) Callahan, Renee; Albright, Megan; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Graber, Itzel
    The capstone project investigated the effects of a virtual adapted dance fitness program, called DanceFloor Fitness, of the Special Olympics Indiana athletes’ sports performance outcomes. This program was developed and implemented based on the need of having supplemental cardiovascular training that was inclusive, client-centered, and accessible for the Special Olympics Indiana athletes, in order to improve leisure participation and increase social participation. The participants consisted of athletes, or county coordinators, affiliated with Special Olympics Indiana and participated at their own leisure. Participants completed 12 weeks of DanceFloor Fitness classes, held two days a week for 60 minutes each, and reported their fitness progress and program satisfaction via midpoint and pre/post surveys that collected qualitative outcome measurements. Overall, the majority of the athletes reported that DanceFloor Fitness classes helped them become better at their sport(s) and improved their muscular strength, mood, dance skills, communication with teammates, and the ability to make friends. Given the program’s virtual platform, unique curriculum, and specialized population, more research is needed to better understand the impact of an adapted dance fitness program on individuals of all ages, genders, and abilities.
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    Occupation-Based Group Interventions Impacting Social Participation For Autistic Children and Adolescents: A Rapid Systematic Review
    (2022-05) Oleshchuk, Oksana; Legue, Anna; Gibbons, Molly; Banks, Riley; Chase, Tony; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences
    This rapid systematic review examines the literature on effective group interventions targeting social participation in autistic children and adolescents. Autistic youth often receive occupational therapy with social participation being a distinct targeted outcome. However, recent advocacy has introduced a need for reducing social skills training in favor of client-centered social participation, which can be done through the lens of occupational therapy’s unique core values. This review provides an overview and analysis of 20 studies that addressed a wide range of occupation-based group interventions in the areas of art, play, physical activity, school-based, and social skills group training (SSGT). Findings reveal moderate strength of evidence for the use of occupation-based group interventions in enhancing social participation in autistic children and adolescents, limited mostly by lack of blinding in studies. This review supports the use of group occupation-based interventions which can widen, inform, and guide the intervention approaches for occupational therapy practitioners working with this population.
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    Rapid Systematic Review of Occupational Therapy-Adaptable Interventions to Improve Social Engagement in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
    (2020-08-27) Alexander, Joelyn; Gordon, Madeline; Heydon, Mallory; Klukken, Angela; Moring, Kelly; Nguyen, Elizabeth; Chase, Anthony; Petrenchik, Terry; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences
    In this rapid systematic review, we describe how evidence-based interventions aiming to improve social engagement in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be potentially adapted to be included within the scope of occupational therapy. Children and adolescents with ASD often experience difficulty with social engagement, impacting overall social participation and other aspects of daily life. It is important to address this issue within this population to ensure engagement in the occupation of social participation, which is vital to optimal health and well-being. We discovered several themes including communication, joint attention, peer engagement, social skills, and play as outcomes addressed within the interventions included in this review. There is limited research available regarding social engagement interventions for children and adolescents with ASD directly including an occupational therapist within the intervention. This review demonstrates that there is a large variety of social engagement interventions that could be implemented by occupational therapists; however, therapists must be mindful of choosing an intervention that is specific to the client's condition. There is strong evidence to suggest that interventions targeting social engagement in children and adolescents with ASD result in increased social abilities. Further research should be conducted assessing the implementation of these interventions by occupational therapists to ensure generalizability.
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    Skills on Wheels Program Development: Supporting All Participants, Caregivers, and Siblings
    (2023-05-08) Heminger, Rachel; Chase, Tony; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Chase, Tony
    This project was focused on three important aspects, all of which surrounded improving the Skills on Wheels Program for this year and future years. These aspects included improving and promoting the social participation and self-efficacy of the participants, educating, and promoting social support for the caregivers, as well as creating a space for the siblings of the participants to learn, play, and promote community. The latter two topics were focused on program development. However, the first topic was the research portion of this capstone. The goal of this research was to improve the participants initiation in social engagement/participation. The data was collected by giving the caregivers of the participants pre and post surveys about their children’s social engagement. Results of the surveys showed there was an increase in all three variables that were compared. This supports the programs that were implemented and their focus on improving social participation within the participants of the program. There were some implications for this research which includes number of caregivers surveyed, attendance of caregivers on both survey days, as well as the duration of time between each survey. For future sessions, it is suggested that these areas continue to improve, and that social engagement continues to be promoted throughout the program.
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    Social participation and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults through the Lifestyle Redesign® program
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2011-04-08) Kuo, Fengyi
    Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise and Lifestyle Redesign® on social participation and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. Methods. Twelve community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older were recruited to participate in the study. The study took place at a senior center located in central Indiana, where activities were provided for low-income seniors from nearby neighborhoods. This study was a mixed methods design study. Ten week occupation-based group activities from the Lifestyle Redesign® program were implemented as intervention. An exercise program was provided on the same days to the same participants as its own control. The order of exercise and intervention was alternated every other week to decrease rater bias. Activities included in the exercise program were line dancing, chair aerobics, yoga, etc. Social participation was measured using the Social Profile at the end of each exercise and intervention session as repeated measures. The inter-rater reliability of the Social Profile was confirmed at the alpha level of 0.84 for its use in the older adult population. Researchers of the study established inter-rater item agreement prior to the start of the study by observing a recorded group activity and independently rated the group. The researchers then compared scores, discussed discrepancies, and came to a consensus on scores. Five group levels are included in the tool: parallel, associative, basic cooperative, supportive cooperative, and mature levels. The researchers averaged the scores of each level within each subscale: activity participation, social interaction, and group membership and roles. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. Quality of life was explored through semistructured interviews, and then analyzed using thematic analysis. Results. The SPSS version 16.0 was used for quantitative data analyses. The Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient was used for inter-rater agreements. The results indicated moderately high to very high inter-rater agreements in both programs. The Wilcoxon signed-ranks test results indicated statistically significant differences in social participation between the two programs for parallel, basic cooperative, supportive cooperative, and mature levels. However, statistically significant difference for associate/project level was not found. Shapiro Wilks test for normality was conducted to check for normal distributions of the data. Results indicated normal distributions on parallel, associate/project, basic cooperative, and supportive cooperative levels for both programs, therefore, paired sample t-tests were performed. Results showed statistically significant differences in social participation between the two programs for parallel, basic cooperative, and supportive cooperative levels. Overall, the quantitative results showed higher levels of social participation in intervention than in exercise program. Three main themes emerged that supported participants’ quality of life were well-being, peace of mind, and relationships. Five aspects that negatively affected quality of life were loss of a spouse, money, loneliness, a decrease in physical health, and family illness. Conclusion. The results from the study support the positive effect of occupation-based programming on social participation in community-dwelling older adults. In achieving good quality of life while aging, it is important to maintain relationships with family and friends, and finding time to support and help others in need.