British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(7), July 2003, pp.303-310.
Publisher:
Sage
This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of play and leisure in junior school aged children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Twelve children between the ages of 7 years and 11 years were interviewed in order to uncover the barriers to engagement in play and leisure and to consider the implications for occupational therapy. The results showed that all children, regardless
This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of play and leisure in junior school aged children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Twelve children between the ages of 7 years and 11 years were interviewed in order to uncover the barriers to engagement in play and leisure and to consider the implications for occupational therapy. The results showed that all children, regardless of disease activity, reported difficulty in engaging in play and leisure activities. The symptoms of the disease, the treatment regimes and their side-effects, and psychosocial factors were all reported to affect play and leisure experiences. The children also reported that play behaviours were often restricted by parents, friends and school personnel. Fear of damage and unclear communication about the effects of activity also resulted in self-imposed restrictions, which further limited play experiences. Although the children reported a number of coping strategies to deal with these difficulties, they reported more indoor play and engagement in sedentary activities which often gave rise to feelings of being different, sadness and loneliness.
Subject terms:
leisure, play, school children, user views, arthritis, children, coping behaviour;
British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(7), July 2003, pp.297-302.
Publisher:
Sage
Reports on a study to gain a greater understanding of the impact of chronic arthritis on the functional ability of women, the strategies that they use to maintain their function and the integration of these strategies into their lifestyles. A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured interviews, personal diaries and focus groups. Twelve women with chronic arthritis participated over use, the personal connotations of being a recipient of assistance and the need to negotiate levels of assistance with other family members. Insights into the women's use of assistance have the potential to inform the way in which this strategy is approached in educational programmes and also highlight the need to address how people with chronic arthritis communicate their need for assistance
Reports on a study to gain a greater understanding of the impact of chronic arthritis on the functional ability of women, the strategies that they use to maintain their function and the integration of these strategies into their lifestyles. A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured interviews, personal diaries and focus groups. Twelve women with chronic arthritis participated over a period of 2 years. All the interviews and focus group discussions were transcribed and coded. The data analysis involved the development of a thematic framework to identify recurring themes and their relationships. The negotiation and use of personal assistance emerged as an important strategy used by the women. It was highlighted as a complex strategy owing to the number of factors influencing its use, the personal connotations of being a recipient of assistance and the need to negotiate levels of assistance with other family members. Insights into the women's use of assistance have the potential to inform the way in which this strategy is approached in educational programmes and also highlight the need to address how people with chronic arthritis communicate their need for assistance and negotiate help within the family.
Subject terms:
mobility impairment, women, activities of daily living, arthritis, carers, families;
JOHN Robert, KERBY Dave S., HENNESSY Catherine Hagan
Journal article citation:
Gerontologist, 43(5), October 2003, pp.649-660.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
... revealed a four-cluster comorbidity structure: cardiopulmonary, sensory-motor, depression, and arthritis. When the impact of comorbidity on four health-related quality of life outcomes was tested, the use of the clusters offered more explanatory power than the other approaches. This study improves understanding of comorbidity within an understudied and underserved population by characterizing comorbidity
The purpose of this study is to suggest a new approach to identifying patterns of comorbidity and multimorbidity. A random sample of 1,039 rural community-resident American Indian elders aged 60 years and older was surveyed. Comorbidity was investigated with four standard approaches, and with cluster analysis. Most respondents (57%) reported 3 or more of 11 chronic conditions. Cluster analysis revealed a four-cluster comorbidity structure: cardiopulmonary, sensory-motor, depression, and arthritis. When the impact of comorbidity on four health-related quality of life outcomes was tested, the use of the clusters offered more explanatory power than the other approaches. This study improves understanding of comorbidity within an understudied and underserved population by characterizing comorbidity in conventional and novel ways. The cluster approach has four advantages over previous approaches. In particular, cluster analysis identifies specific health problems that have to be addressed to alter American Indian elders' health-related quality of life.
Subject terms:
indigenous people, older people, quality of life, research methods, arthritis, depression, environmental factors, health needs, heart diseases, comorbidity;
Social networks have a positive impact on mental health and quality of life. Chronic diseases may cause a decrease in social networks and reduce social support over time. Reports on a partially-controlled intervention study in Norway to examine the effect of a network intervention on women with rheumatoid arthritis. Female patients with rheumatoid arthritis were allocated to three groups:
Social networks have a positive impact on mental health and quality of life. Chronic diseases may cause a decrease in social networks and reduce social support over time. Reports on a partially-controlled intervention study in Norway to examine the effect of a network intervention on women with rheumatoid arthritis. Female patients with rheumatoid arthritis were allocated to three groups: the network intervention group, the attention control group; and the no treatment group. The network intervention consisted of an assessment session and a network meeting. Patients were assessed at baseline and 10 and 18 months after the intervention. The network intervention reported and increase in network size. Daily emotional support increased for the intervention patients compared with patients in the attention control group. For single patients, the intervention significantly increased the social network size and improved social functioning, and perceived overall health, compared to both control groups.
Subject terms:
intervention, long term conditions, quality of life, social networks, women, arthritis, emotions, health;
Aging and Mental Health, 7(1), January 2003, pp.53-60.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
This study evaluated a novel intervention for older osteoarthritis (OA) patients and their spousal caregivers that consisted of standard patient education supplemented by information related to effectively managing arthritis as a couple. Twenty-four female OA patients and their husbands were randomly assigned to either an educational intervention that was targeted at both patient and spouse or to a patient education intervention that was targeted at only the patient. Findings revealed that both interventions were evaluated favorably but the couple intervention was better attended than the patient intervention. In addition, patients in the couple intervention experienced greater increased efficacy in managing arthritis pain and other symptoms.
This study evaluated a novel intervention for older osteoarthritis (OA) patients and their spousal caregivers that consisted of standard patient education supplemented by information related to effectively managing arthritis as a couple. Twenty-four female OA patients and their husbands were randomly assigned to either an educational intervention that was targeted at both patient and spouse or to a patient education intervention that was targeted at only the patient. Findings revealed that both interventions were evaluated favorably but the couple intervention was better attended than the patient intervention. In addition, patients in the couple intervention experienced greater increased efficacy in managing arthritis pain and other symptoms.
Subject terms:
informal care, intervention, marriage, older people, pain, partners, quality of life, treatment, therapy and treatment, arthritis, carers;