Food activities and the maintenance of identity in later life

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University LondonBackground: Participating in meaningful activities, and maintaining identity, are each embedded within best practice guidelines to improve mental well-being among older adults in the United Kingdom. Food plays a part in many meaningful activities that are important to health and wellbeing. Although there is moderate evidence that participating in food activities contributes to identity maintenance and change, only six studies include British older adults. Aim: To explore the relationship between food activities and identity maintenance among community-living older adults in West London. Methods: A concurrent mixed-methods design from a pragmatist perspective was used. Data collection included semi-structured interviews with 39 older adults (60 to 89 years). Qualitative data were analysed using grounded theory methods. Quantitative methods were used to investigate the relationship between demographic data, transformed qualitative data, and the Occupational Performance Measure of Food Activities. Q methodology data were analysed using centroid factor estimation and interpretation, and triangulated with the qualitative and quantitative components using qualitative matrix analysis and quantitative methods. Findings: This study found three predominant past and present identities as ‘food-lover’, ‘non-foodie’ and ‘not bothered’. These food identities are defined as a composite sense of who one is, derived from one’s experience of participating in food activities. Maintenance of food identities was explained in the processes of ‘Participation and maintenance’, ‘Threat and compensation’, and ‘Changes in meaning and identity’. These processes varied according to the importance and meaning of food activities for each participant. There was no consistent relationship between maintenance or change in food identities, and participants’ hoped-for, feared and expected possible selves. Conclusions: Participation in food activities maintains older adults’ important identities and mental wellbeing when food activities are an important and pleasurable part of daily life. Nevertheless, older adults whose food activities and identities change continue to experience mental well-being in later life.Geriatrics Society / Dunhill Medical Trust Research Fellowshi

Workplace-based occupational therapy for mental health in Africa : a scoping review protocol

CITATION: Hoosain M. & Plastow N. A. 2022. Workplace-based occupational therapy for mental health in Africa: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 12(4). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054821.The original publication is available at https://bmjopen.bmj.com/Introduction: Although mental health at work is a pressing and growing concern, mental healthcare accounts for less than 2% of global healthcare, with marked inequality across continents. Africa has the smallest proportion of mental health service providers, and the highest rate of out-of-pocket expenditure for mental health service users. Poor mental health at work results in costs to workers, employers and the economy. This review aims to collaborate with stakeholders to identify literature on workplace-based occupational therapy interventions supporting the mental health of workers in Africa. Methods and analysis: We will search Medline (PubMed), EBSCOhost (Academic Search Premier, AfricaWide Information, CINAHL, Health Source: Nursing/Academic), Scopus, Web of Science, Sabinet, Cochrane and OTSeeker for qualitative and quantitative primary research studies. Grey literature will be searched via Sabinet and ProQuest. No language or date restrictions will be applied. Title and abstract screening as well as full-text screening will be done independently by two reviewers. Data extracted will include information about the articles, characteristics of studies and interventions, and findings. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines will be used for reporting results. Three groups of stakeholders will be consulted during the review process: service users/workers, employers and service providers/occupational therapists. Ethics and dissemination: This scoping review does not require ethics approval. Findings of the review will be disseminated through stakeholder engagements, peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/4/e054821Publishers versio

Food activities and identity maintenance in old age: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Objectives: Services provided to older people should be developed based on active ageing policies. Nutrition is one aspect of active ageing, but little is known about how food activities contribute to psychological well-being in later life. This is a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative research that answers the question ‘What is known about the relationship between food activities and the maintenance of identities in old age?’

Collaborative capacity development to complement stroke rehabilitation in Africa

This scholarly book focuses on stroke in Africa. Stroke is a leading cause of disability among adults of all ages, contributing significantly to health care costs related to long term implications, particularly if rehabilitation is sub-optimal. Given the burden of stroke in Africa, there is a need for a book that focuses on functioning African stroke survivors and the implications for rehabilitation within the African context. In addition, there is a need to progress with contextualised, person-centred, evidence-based guidance for the rehabilitation of people with stroke in Africa, thereby enabling them to lead socially and economically meaningful lives. The research incorporated in the book used a range of primary and secondary methodological approaches (scoping reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, descriptive studies, surveys, health economics, and clinical practice guideline methodology) to shed new insights into African-centred issues and strategies to optimise function post-stroke

Mixing-up research methods : a recipe for success or disaster?

CITATION: Plastow, N. A. 2016. Mixing-up research methods : a recipe for success or disaster?. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46(1): 89-90, doi:10.17159/2310-3833/2016/v46n1a16.The original publication is available at http://www.sajot.co.zaENGLISH SUMMARY : The increase in the number of occupational therapists training and doing research at undergraduate and post-graduate degree level has led to an exciting growth in research capacity within our profession. My experiences of doing research and in supervising students have raised questions about which methodologies students should be able to apply at the beginning of their research careers. In this opinion piece I argue that concurrent mixed-methods research designs across more than one research paradigm are inappropriate for undergraduate and Masters-level research, because of issues with integration, transparency, and the time taken to develop the sufficient research expertise required for this methodology.http://www.sajot.co.za/index.php/sajot/article/view/326Publisher's versio

Mapping Effectiveness Studies of Occupational Therapy in Africa: A Scoping Review

Background. Contextual relevance is an important consideration for evidence-based practice, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the nature of practice may differ from high-income countries. Resources and access to rehabilitation are constrained, and service-users face a range of intersecting challenges to activity and participation. Aim. To evaluate the body of evidence for the effectiveness of occupational therapy in Africa, and to determine if systematic reviews with meta-analysis and/or meta-synthesis are feasible. Methods and Analysis. We conducted a systematic scoping review of published and grey literature by following PRISMA-ScR guidelines across 13 databases and through personal contact with occupational therapists across Africa. Covidence software was used to manage a blind review process by at least three reviewers per included article. The McMaster Quantitative Review Form, NHMRC levels of evidence, the Cochrane PROGRESS-Plus health equity criteria, and the TIDieR checklist informed data extraction using Microsoft Forms. Results. The search yielded 4199 articles, of which 45 were included. Evidence in six fields of practice included paediatrics, mental health, physical rehabilitation, hand therapy, work practice, and community development, although the evidence was largely limited to South Africa (93% studies). Levels of evidence varied but included 13 RCTs. In all, 1957 participants were included, ranging in age from 25 days to 99 years, with a wide range of health conditions. Most studies reported a positive outcome for occupational therapy. Conclusion. Findings suggest a moderate body of evidence to support occupational therapy in Africa. Systematic review with meta-analysis, assessment of risk of bias, and in-depth analysis of specific areas of practice are now required. All effectiveness studies in occupational therapy should include measures of occupational performance or participation, minimum reporting standard checklists should be used more consistently, and effect sizes should be consistently calculated and reported in effectiveness research

The Immediate Effect of African Drumming on the Mental Well-being of Adults With Mood Disorders: An Uncontrolled Pretest–posttest Pilot Study

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 \u27a great deal.\u27 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. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved

The health equity characteristics of research exploring the unmet community mobility needs of older adults : a scoping review

Background Unmet community mobility needs of older adults, published since the announcement of the UN sustainable development goals was synthesised to describe the health equity characteristics of research identifying unmet community mobility needs of older adults. Methods Searches were conducted in March and April 2020, 2275 articles were screened and 100 identified for data extraction. Results Findings showed underrepresentation of articles considering rural settings [9%] and originating in the global South [14%]. Gender, disability, education, and transport / driving were identified as key health equity characteristics and only 10 articles provided detail on all four of these. External factors inhibiting community mobility included built environments, service availability, and societal attitudes. Internal factors included finances, fear and apprehension, and functional limitations. Conclusions The need for standardised reporting of participant characteristics in the community mobility of older adults was highlighted. These characteristics are required by research consumers to judge equity dimensions, and the extent to which findings represent minority or marginalised groups. 15 after the UN pledge to reduce inequalities, peer reviewed primary research does not reflect a global drive to end discrimination, exclusion and reduce the inequalities and vulnerabilities that leave people behind