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Allied health professionals, including physical therapists and nutritionists, are essential pillars of healthcare. Their extensive involvement in addressing multifaceted health aspects greatly bolsters healthcare efficacy and impact. These experts, with their diverse skill sets, oversee advancing patient outcomes. Dive into our latest newsletter to keep pace with the constantly evolving landscape of allied health.

Addressing Occupational Participation at the End of Life and Development of Restorative Therapy Program

Occupational therapists offer a distinct approach to end-of-life care, emphasising personalised interventions based on clients' identified meaningful activities and current capabilities. However, interventions tend to primarily target activities of daily living (ADL) and mobility, potentially overlooking important psychosocial aspects of individuals. In a recent capstone project, interventions tailored to residents' values and goals reduced depression symptoms and enhanced perceived independence. Family support also played a crucial role in motivating participation in valued activities.

Your Vision Can Predict Dementia 12 Years Before Diagnosis, Study Finds

The eyes may serve as early indicators of cognitive decline, as evidenced by a study involving over 8,600 individuals in Norfolk, England. Visual sensitivity loss, detected through a simple test, predicted dementia onset up to 12 years before diagnosis. This connection is attributed to the impact of Alzheimer 's-related brain changes on visual processing. Moreover, deficits in recognising faces and inhibitory control of eye movements also signal cognitive decline.

?Esophageal Speech Training System in a Laryngectomy Patient Association in Japan

This paper highlights the challenges patients face who undergo total laryngectomy or total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy, resulting in the loss of vocal cords and significant impacts on social and occupational life. It underscores the importance of the early acquisition of substitute speech for preserving the quality of life post-surgery. Specifically, the paper focuses on the growing adoption of oesophagal speech in Japan, advocating for a better training system, offering techniques, and discussing associated challenges.

Achieving ADL Independence Post-Stroke Through Occupational Therapy Interventions

What occupational therapy (OT) interventions prove more effective for stroke patients 60 and above to regain independence in activities of daily living (ADL) compared to standard care? According to this study's findings, the most beneficial interventions for this demographic include Task-Oriented Training (TOT), electrical stimulation, and modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT). TOT demonstrates versatility across various settings due to its clinical accessibility, requiring no specialised equipment for implementation. Modified CIMT retains the core principles of traditional CIMT while employing a less intensive and time-consuming intervention regimen.

Patient-Perceived Factors Influencing Physical Activity Sensor Use in Stroke Prevention and Rehabilitation

Over the past twenty years, wearable physical activity (PA) sensors have undergone significant advancements, capturing metrics such as step counts, exercise duration, intensity, cardiovascular fitness indicators, and estimated calorie expenditure. Commercially available devices detect motion and physiological changes like heart rate and blood pressure. Despite the observed increase in physical activity associated with consumer-grade devices, there is a notable lack of qualitative research on their effectiveness in stroke prevention and rehabilitation. This study aims to identify the factors—both barriers and facilitators—affecting the utilisation of wearable PA sensors among stroke patients and older adults at risk.

Development and Feasibility Test of WORK-ON – A Complex Vocational Rehabilitation Offer for People With Chronic Inflammatory Arthritis

Despite significant advancements in pharmacological treatments, there are persistent challenges for individuals with chronic inflammatory arthritis (IA). Even those in remission or with low disease activity often contend with symptoms like pain, fatigue, and anxiety alongside physical and social limitations. This impacts their ability to work, leading to increased sickness absenteeism and a heightened risk of job loss. While research on vocational rehabilitation (VR) for IA patients is limited, existing studies suggest potential benefits in decreasing absenteeism, preventing job loss, and improving work capacity. Therefore, the overarching goal of this PhD study was to develop and assess the feasibility of an early VR program tailored for individuals with IA.

#lifeweavers #rehabilitation #occupationaltherapy #physiotherapy #homerehab #alliedhealth

Till the Next One!

Allied health remains dynamic, marked by constant innovation and ongoing progress. Lifeweavers, a leader in home therapy services, spearheads this evolution by providing innovative alternatives to conventional treatments. Our dedication to flexibility and the incorporation of state-of-the-art methodologies sets us apart, guaranteeing that we excel in delivering inventive and impactful healthcare solutions.

We welcome direct referrals to our therapy services and are delighted to engage in discussions about your cases.

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