The aim was to evaluate whether the use of a client-centred instrument, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), affects the patients' perception of active participation in the rehabilitation process. The study included 155 patients in the experiment group and 55 in the control group, within geriatric, stroke, and home rehabilitation. The COPM was used in the experiment group. A structured interview was performed within 2-4 weeks after discharge with 88 patients in the experiment group and 30 patients in the control group. The results show significant differences between the groups. More patients in the experiment group perceived that treatment goals were identified, were able to recall the goals, felt that they were active participants in the goal formulation process, and perceived themselves better able to manage after completed rehabilitation compared with patients in the control group. The study indicates that the COPM improves client participation in the rehabilitation process.

Methods:The participants included five people MCI and eight people with mild dementia and their relatives.The following categories emerged:The main findings were that people with MCI and dementia experienced cognitive changes that could be burdensome and changed activity patterns. Most of them, however, considered themselves capable of coping on their own. The relatives noticed cognitive changes and activity disruptions to a greater extent and tried to be supportive in everyday life. Degree of awareness varied and lack of awareness could lead to many problems in everyday life.3

Background/aim: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting in significant disability. We examined how Parkinson's disease affects daily living from the perspective of both patients and relatives. Methods: Qualitative interviews were performed with seven patients with Parkinson's disease and nine relatives from families other than those of the interviewed patients. Patients and relatives were recruited from an outpatient geriatric unit at a university hospital in Sweden. The interviews were transcribed and analysed qualitatively. Results: A conceptual framework encompassing aggravating factors, consequences in daily living and facilitating factors is presented. Patients perceived activity restrictions, changed habits, decreased socialisation and anxiety. Relatives reported changed roles and habits, decreased socialisation, strain and anxiety about the future. Facilitating factors included accessibility, strategies and psychological support for both patients and relatives. Conclusions:The results show that Parkinson's disease affects daily living not only for patients but also for relatives. They need to be seen, heard and supported in this burden. Services must be adapted to the needs of both patients and relatives with accessibility to health-care facilities with deep knowledge about the disease and its consequences. The identified factors are areas of concern in occupational therapy.

No abstract

Wressle E, Samuelsson K, Henriksson C. Responsi6eness of the Swedish 6ersion of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Scand J Occup Ther. 1999; 6: 84 -89. In a client-centred approach, clients and therapists work together to define the occupational performance problem, the focus of and need for intervention and the preferred outcomes. Application of specific theories or techniques to involve clients in goal-setting may influence the therapist to use a client participation approach. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) presents a structure for formulating the treatment goals identified by the client in co-operation with the therapist. The aim of this study was to test the responsiveness of the Swedish version of the COPM. After translation into Swedish, the COPM was introduced to 21 occupational therapists who performed data collection. A sample of 108 clients within geriatric, neurologic and orthopaedic rehabilitation identified 418 problems at initial scoring and reassessment. Inclusion criteria for patients were the need for rehabilitation interventions and the ability to communicate well enough in an interview. The results indicate that the Swedish version of the COPM is responsive to change, with 73% of the problems identified having a change in score of 2 points or more.