Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. Individuals on the autism spectrum and their families face a host of social obstacles to inclusion in society at large. Data from an ongoing phenomenological study of autism in the community shows that parent anxieties around interactions with police are a significant barrier to community inclusion and participation for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The experiences of families in the community related to police affect feelings of comfort and safety and may contribute to occupational deprivation. Primary Author and Speaker: David Turnbull Contributing Authors: Contributing Author

Date Presented 04/19/21 Higher screen time exposure relates to increased physiological and social anxiety levels within university students, and the majority of their screen time is within leisure occupations. OTs can utilize this information when educating clients about strategies to decrease anxiety. Primary Author and Speaker: Barbra Katerberg, OTR/L Additional Authors and Speakers: Casey Humphrey Contributing Authors: Aaron Sciascia

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. Results showed that about 70% of the students had some stress management strategies. However, 19% of them experienced toxic levels of stress, 33% of them used negative appraisal for coping, and one-third of them showed clinically significant anxiety and depression, resulting in negative impact on occupational engagement. OT students may benefit from learning different types of coping strategies that promote development of resilience to better manage stress and reduce mental illness. Primary Author and Speaker: Megan C. Chang Additional Authors and Speakers: Sarah Hagen, Stephanie Geneza, Maiko Ibay, Megan Karburn, Alexandra Kautz, and Elaine Lau

Date Presented 04/20/21 This pilot study investigated the effect of yoga on mood and occupational engagement in older adults. Five participants completed a 6-week yoga group. Changes in occupational performance pre- and postintervention were explored via interviews and questionnaires. Results show perceived improvement in occupational engagement and mood for four of five participants. Preliminary findings suggest meditative movement is an effective OT intervention for improving occupational engagement. Primary Author and Speaker: Christina Befanis Additional Authors and Speakers: Cherae C. Reeves Contributing Authors: Alyssa Raiber, Megan K. Hamann

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. This systematic review examined interventions for anxiety and depressive symptoms among inpatient physical rehabilitation patients. Results were framed by intervention type, context, and concentration of current literature among patient groups. Setting specific analyses does not seem to be common, because patient groups are often considered regardless of therapeutic setting and therefore regardless of recovery stage. Setting-specific information can aid resource development and literature navigation. Primary Author and Speaker: Janell Pisegna Additional Authors and Speakers: Sarah E. Anderson Contributing Authors: Jessica L. Krok-Schoen

Importance: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a severe psychological impact on frontline and second-line medical workers. However, few empirical reports have been published on its impact on occupational therapists. Clarifying the mental health status of occupational therapists is important to maintain care quality and prevent psychological problems in this population. Objective: To investigate the psychological impact of COVID-19 on Japanese occupational therapists in prefectures with and without severe pandemic-related restrictions and elucidate factors associated with psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Design: A cross-sectional online survey using region-stratified two-stage cluster sampling conducted May 28–31, 2020. Participants: The sample included 371 participants (63.1% women) in the prefectures under specific cautions (i.e., where residents were strictly advised to refrain from outings) and 1,312 in the prefectures without such cautions (61.9% women). Results: The increase in workload due to the pandemic was significantly related to an increase in anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and an attempt to avoid talking face to face with others was significantly related to an increase in anxiety regardless of area. In prefectures under specific cautions as of May 25, 2020, the provision of sufficient information on COVID-19 by the workplace significantly reduced the risk of insomnia. In other prefectures, the provision of sufficient information significantly reduced the risk of depression. Conclusions and Relevance: These results demonstrate the severe negative psychological impact of the increase in workload resulting from COVID-19 and suggest the importance of psychological support for occupational therapists, such as the provision of sufficient information by the workplace. What This Article Adds: This study highlights the importance of providing psychological support for occupational therapists worldwide.

Importance: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are twice as likely as their peers without disabilities to have had a physical exam in the past year; however, as a result of challenging behavior during office visits, they are significantly less likely to have received recommended health screenings. Challenging behaviors in clinical settings have been identified as a barrier to providing adequate care for this population. Objective: This scoping review examined the within-session effects of multisensory environments (MSEs) on people with IDD to determine the clinical utility of MSEs for this population. Data Sources: Studies published between January 1, 2000, and August 1, 2018, were identified using Summon and Google Scholar. Study Selection: Studies were included in the review if they systematically collected and reported data on within-session effects of an MSE intervention on people with IDD. Findings: Thirteen studies met criteria for this review: 4 with Level I evidence, 2 with Level II evidence, 3 with Level III evidence, and 4 with Level IV evidence. Studies examined the effects of MSEs on maladaptive behaviors, positive behaviors, distress and discomfort, activity and alertness states, and cost of care for people with IDD. Conclusion and Relevance: Preliminary support was found for the use of MSEs in clinical settings to reduce anxiety and challenging behaviors in patients with IDD during clinical care. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of MSEs for producing the effects described in this review. What This Article Adds: The findings support the potential of MSEs as a tool that occupational therapy practitioners can use to support their clients with IDD who have sensory sensitivities in clinical settings. This article also highlights a multidisciplinary approach whereby medical providers and occupational therapy practitioners could work together in nontraditional ways to support this population.

OBJECTIVE. This pilot study is the first to examine the effects of an occupational therapist–led African drumming group on mental well-being among adult psychiatric inpatients with mood disorders. METHOD. We used a quasi-experimental, uncontrolled, one-group, pretest–posttest design. We collected data for six different drumming groups (N = 13) using the Stellenbosch Mood Scale, the Primary Health Questionnaire–9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7 scale, and the Enjoyment of Interaction Scale. RESULTS. Participants significantly improved on all six domains of the Stellenbosch Mood Scale, with a large clinical effect. Participants with higher self-reported anxiety and depression benefited the most. According to the Enjoyment of Interaction Scale results, all the participants enjoyed the drumming “a great deal.” CONCLUSION. Our positive findings suggest that drumming may be an effective intervention for adults with acute mood disorders. We recommend further research that uses a control intervention.

Experience sampling examined how temporality, the lived experience of time, varied related to specific activity qualities and experiences in everyday life. Thirty-five students completed electronic surveys regarding their current activity and feelings and rated the activity's novelty and complexity, their depth of emotional and intellectual engagement, the direction and depth of attention, and the demands of the activity on their skills. Using configural frequency analysis and an analysis of narrative responses, configurations of factors (types) associated with variations in perceived temporalities were described. Four composite types identified occurred with any temporality. In most habitual activities, time was perceived as passing the same as clock time. Most faster or timeless temporalities occurred in complex, novel, and skill-requiring activities that engaged participants. Unexpected activity configurations were also associated with accelerated perceptions of time. Occupational therapists may use this knowledge to assist clients to redesign activities that promote positive experiences without high activity demands.

OBJECTIVE. Approximately 25% of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a comorbid anxiety disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sensory overresponsivity (SOR) is related to elevated levels of anxiety in children with ADHD. METHOD. Twenty-four children ages 6 to 10 with ADHD and 24 children without ADHD participated in this study. All parents completed a Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) with their child. Children in the ADHD group were subdivided into ADHD + SOR and ADHD-only groups using the Sensory Over-Responsivity Inventory. RESULTS. Children in the ADHD + SOR group were significantly more anxious than both the ADHD-only and non-ADHD (control) groups. Children with ADHD + SOR were also more likely to have clinically significant anxiety (determined by total scores on the RCMAS). CONCLUSIONS. Occupational therapists treating children with ADHD and SOR should be aware that these children may also have anxiety and discuss options with families for prevention or treatment.

Objective. One symptom common to many persons with autism is a high arousal or anxiety level. This study investigated the effects of deep pressure on arousal and anxiety reduction in autism with Grandin’s Hug Machine, a device that allows self-administration of lateral body pressure. Method. Twelve children with autism were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (receiving deep pressure) or a placebo group (no receiving deep pressure but in the disengaged Hug Machine). All children received two 20-min sessions a week over a 6-week period. Arousal was measured behaviorally with the Conners Parent Rating Scale and physiologically with galvanic skin response (GSR) readings. Results. Behavioral results indicated a significant reduction in tension and a marginally significant reduction in anxiety for children who received the deep pressure compared with the children who did not. Additionally, children in the experimental group, whose GSR measure decreased, on average, after deep pressure, were somewhat more likely to have higher GSR arousal a priori. Conclusion. These preliminary findings support the hypothesis that deep pressure may have a calming effect for persons with autism, especially those with high levels of arousal or anxiety.