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The results of this study demonstrated that participants were able to recall more information when engaged in a hands-on teaching method as compared with a demonstration method. It is suggested that the learning advantages of hands-on occupation are related to the enhanced sensory/perceptual experiences and the feelings of success that are characteristic of hands-on learning, as opposed to passive forms of learning.

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This randomized study compared the effect of two teaching/learning methods (hands-on versus demonstration) on immediate, 15-minute, and 24/48-hour recall in 60 university students. Each student either made no-bake cookies or observed the demonstrated process. Inter-rater reliability concerning recall scores was strong (intraclass correlation coefficient = .98). Analysis of variance across all three levels of recall supported the hands-on condition (F [1,58] = 4.45, p = .039). However, only one of the three t tests (recall at 24/48 hours) comparing hands-on learning to demonstration at the three points of recall, was statistically significant (t [58] = 2.48, p = .008, with effect size d = .648). Generally, the results are consistent with occupational therapy theory, but the lack of a statistically significant difference in terms of immediate recall requires probing as to the meaningfulness of the occupational form to the particular individuals being observed. Meta-analysis of various studies investigating this important principle of occupational therapy is needed to clarify the results of this study in the context of other related studies.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence and type of musculoskeletal injury due to patient handling as well as to ascertain current safe patient handling practices in occupational therapy within the state of Ohio. A questionnaire focusing on safe patient handling issues was e-mailed to 1,113 occupational therapy practitioners in the state of Ohio, with an overall response rate of 26%. Sixty-four percent indicated they were required to transfer patients manually. Of these respondents, 8% indicated receiving an injury, 11% missed days away from work in connection with sustaining an injury, and 12% considered leaving the profession early due to patient handling concerns. The study demonstrated that this sample of occupational therapy practitioners was exposed to occupationally based high-risk situations regarding patient handling with moderate to high incidence rates for musculoskeletal injuries. Additional research is needed to ascertain the status of safe patient handling among occupational therapy practitioners nationwide.