Introduction: This study compared the effect of Nintendo Wii Fit to the Matter of Balance program, a valid and reliable program, on improving balance, and well-being to decrease the risk of falls.Methods: Residents of an independent living senior housing facility were recruited and thirty-two residents ages 63 to 90 participated. Participants were separated into three groups: (1) Wii Fit group (n = 11) completed balance games on the Wii Fit in individual sessions twice a week and supplemental home exercises; (2) Matter of Balance Group (n = 11) completed exercises from the Matter of Balance Program in a group setting twice a week; (3) Control group (n = 10) received no intervention. Intervention lasted three weeks.Results/findings: One-way ANOVA's were completed. Scores from the assessments were not statistically significant at post-test Berg Balance Scale (p = 0.837); Tinetti Gait and Balance Assessment (p = 0.913); SF-36 (p = 0.256). Results from a self-report demonstrated that Wii Fit is an enjoyable form of exercise for an elderly population.Conclusion: Although, the interventions failed to significantly increase balance, with an increase in intervention duration of Wii Fit or Matter of Balance balance may be improved. Although results were not significant this study adds to the growing body of evidence regarding the use of Wii Fit as a rehabilitation tool.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that emerged in late 2019, and later become a global pandemic, has unleashed an almost unprecedented global public health and economic crisis. OBJECTIVE: In this perspective, we examine the effects of COVID-19 and identify a likely ‘new normal’ in terms of challenges and opportunities within the fields of disability, telework, and rehabilitation. METHODS: We use a systems thinking lens informed by recent empirical evidence and peer-reviewed qualitative accounts regarding the pandemic to identify emerging challenges, and pinpoint opportunities related to health and changing employment infrastructure of people with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals. RESULTS: From our interpretation, the key leverage points or opportunities include: (1) developing disability-inclusive public health responses and emergency preparedness; (2) enabling employment and telework opportunities for people with disabilities; (3) addressing the new requirements in rehabilitation service provision, including participating as essential team members in the care of people with infectious diseases such as COVID-19; (4) embracing the added emphasis on, and capacity for, telehealth; and (5) developing greater resilience, distance learning, and employability among the rehabilitation workforce. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has become increasingly challenging to the lives of people with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals; however, key challenges can be minimized and opportunities can be capitalized upon in order to ‘build back better’ after COVID-19.

Telehealth is "the application of evaluative, consultative, preventative, and therapeutic services delivered through telecommunication and information technologies," (AOTA, 2014, p. S69). The evidence literature provides support for the use of a telehealth service-delivery model in occupational therapy (OT) practice within various settings. The use of telehealth in pediatric occupational therapy has been shown to be effective by increasing access to specialist care and preventing delays in provision of services (Cason, 2014), increasing collaboration and carry-over of treatment strategies (Gibbs & Toth-Cohen, 2011), and improving overall therapist/client satisfaction (Ashburner, 2016;Criss, 2013;Reifenberg, et al., 2017;Zylstra, 2013). Despite the effectiveness of a telehealth service-delivery model, the use of telehealth in occupational therapy practice is limited, potentially due to a lack of knowledge about telehealth.Education is a critical factor necessary to promote successful implementation of telehealth in clinical practice (Nissen & Brockevelt, 2016). In order to educate schoolbased working professionals, including OT practitioners and school district administrators, about the use of telehealth, an asynchronous, online educational program vi about the use of telehealth is proposed. A participatory action research model was used in the initial phase of the project. School-based occupational therapists, certified occupational therapy assistants, district administrators, and related technology staff were invited to complete a survey intended to explore attitudes about the use of telehealth.Results of the survey guided the formation and implementation of a client-centered program designed to educate participants about the potential benefits and barriers to the use of telehealth in a pediatric, school-based setting. Stakeholders were invited to complete the online educational program about telehealth and complete a post-program survey to reflect on any knowledge gained as a result of the course. This educational program addresses a gap in knowledge, experience, and awareness of telehealth among occupational therapy practitioners and school district stakeholders. Further collaboration between occupational therapy practitioners and researchers is needed to continue to explore potential uses of telehealth within a school-based setting.

The aim of this preliminary study was to determine the effectiveness of the Nintendo Wii Fit as an occupation to promote weight loss in undergraduate students. Participants: Five first-year female students living on campus at a northeastern university in the United States were recruited to participate in this study. Method: An A-B single subject design was created where participants were separated into three groups: a typical activity group and two Wii conditions (Wii Fit individually and Wii Fit with another participant). In all conditions, participants recorded their daily food intake and daily number of steps using a pedometer. Body mass index (BMI) and weight were recorded at baseline, at 6 weeks and at 12 weeks (the conclusion of the intervention). At baseline and 12 weeks, motivation and activity level were measured. Results: There was a significant change in BMI, weight and motivation for participants in the singles group. Conclusion: Although the sample size was very small, the results of this preliminary study suggest that the Wii Fit should be considered by occupational therapists as a potential occupation of weight control in undergraduate students when performed individually.

This retrospective study employed a descriptive, quantitative design to investigate the nature, perception, and impact of the e-mentoring experiences of 29 graduates of an online post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. Study results highlight positive features of electronic mentoring (e-mentoring); how multi-modal e-mentoring supports the accessibility needs of participants; and students' preferences to engage in real-time e-mentoring communication by web camera or telephone, supplemented with e-mail. E-mentoring positively impacted the professional development of participants during and after the online OTD program. As online education continues to grow, a better understanding of e-mentoring will assist in providing exemplary education to meet the needs of adult learners.