Date Presented 04/12/21 The purpose of this study was to explore students’ prior anatomy coursework, their perceived preparedness in anatomy, and their performance in a mandatory human movement course in an OT program. The secondary purpose was to determine student interest in a potential online anatomy review course. More than half the participants felt that they were underprepared for anatomy-related content, indicating that an additional stand-alone anatomy course may be beneficial to students in OT programs. Primary Author and Speaker: Ashleigh Giles Additional Authors and Speakers: Cristin Holland, Susan Agostine Contributing Authors: Stephanie Bristol, John Sideris, Emily Schulze, Yun-Ju Chen, Elizabeth Choi, Aaron Dallman, Linda Watson, Elizabeth Crais, Grace Baranek, and Amanda M. Wiles

Date Presented 04/13/21 Use of mainstream smart home technology (MSHT) as assistive technology (AT) is a potential, cost-effective intervention to increase independence and quality of life for persons with disabilities. This presentation provides results of a qualitative research study that will be used to guide the development of provision of MSHT as AT in a comprehensive service delivery model. To date, 15 professionals have participated in focus groups providing perspectives to guide the development of the model. Primary Author and Speaker: Lindsey L. Morris Additional Authors and Speakers: Angela Shierk, Arianne Joy V. Alfonso Contributing Authors: Mauricio R. Delgado, Paul Yeatts

Performance of many activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living involve technology, such as an electric toothbrush or a self-checkout register at the grocery store. Unfortunately, more than 60 million people with disabilities in the United States struggle to use these technologies because of inaccessible designs. Occupational therapy practitioners have a unique expertise in the design of accessible equipment. Practitioners have been involved in the design of adaptive and assistive equipment targeting use by people with disabilities since occupational therapy’s beginnings. However, few occupational therapy professionals currently work in the research and development of everyday technologies. This article explores the role of the occupational therapy practitioner on the technology design team, discusses barriers to current practice, and makes recommendations to the profession.

OBJECTIVE. We investigated associations among activity engagement (AE), number of available and relevant everyday technologies, ability to use everyday technologies, and cognitive status among older adults in an urban area. METHOD. This cross-sectional study included 110 participants and used three assessments: the Frenchay Activities Index to measure AE, the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire to measure the number of and ability to use available and relevant everyday technologies, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment to measure cognitive status. Data analyses used a one-way analysis of variance and a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS. The number of available and relevant everyday technologies was significantly different (p < .001) among groups that varied in level of AE. Ability to use everyday technologies did not significantly differ among groups. Cognitive status did not explain level of AE when the number of available and relevant everyday technologies was considered. CONCLUSION. Increasing the accessibility of available and relevant everyday technologies among older adults in an urban area may increase AE.

OBJECTIVE. We investigated how everyday technology use related to activity involvement over 5 yr in people with mild cognitive impairment. METHOD. Thirty-seven older adults with mild cognitive impairment were evaluated regarding everyday technology use and involvement in activities over time. Information on diagnostic changes was collected from medical files. Linear mixed-effects models were used in data analysis. RESULTS. Ability to use everyday technology showed a significant effect on activity involvement (p = .007) beyond the effects of time, diagnostic change, and age. Decreases in number of everyday technologies used (p < .001) and share of accessible and relevant everyday technologies used (p = .04) were associated with decreasing activity involvement. However, these two aspects did not reinforce each other. CONCLUSION. When monitoring activity involvement in clients with cognitive decline, health care professionals should take into account clients’ ability to use everyday technologies and the amount of everyday technologies they use.