In this paper we report the findings from an evaluation of the introduction of sensory modulation (SM) in an acute mental health inpatient unit. It was expected that SM could be used to help settle patients experiencing high levels of disturbance and that as a result, there would be less need for use of more restrictive seclusion practices. The evaluation took place in a hospital in southeast Queensland, Australia. SM was introduced in one acute unit while the other served as a control. The evaluation comprised two studies. In the first study we aimed to determine whether SM reduced the level of disturbance among patients given the opportunity to use it. In the second study we aimed to find out whether the introduction of SM reduced the frequency and duration of seclusion. In study 1, we found that most patients reported marked reduction in disturbance after using SM and there was a very large effect size for the group as a whole. In study 2, we found that frequency of seclusion dropped dramatically in the unit that introduced SM but rose slightly in the unit that did not have access to SM. The change in seclusion rate was highly significant (chi square = 49.1, df = 1, p < .001). Results are discussed, having reference to the limitations inherent in a naturalistic study.

In this paper we report the findings from an evaluation of the introduction of sensory modulation (SM) in an acute mental health inpatient unit. It was expected that SM could be used to help settle patients experiencing high levels of disturbance and that as a result, there would be less need for use of more restrictive seclusion practices. The evaluation took place in a hospital in southeast Queensland, Australia. SM was introduced in one acute unit while the other served as a control. The evaluation comprised two studies. In the first study we aimed to determine whether SM reduced the level of disturbance among patients given the opportunity to use it. In the second study we aimed to find out whether the introduction of SM reduced the frequency and duration of seclusion. In study 1, we found that most patients reported marked reduction in disturbance after using SM and there was a very large effect size for the group as a whole. In study 2, we found that frequency of seclusion dropped dramatically in the unit that introduced SM but rose slightly in the unit that did not have access to SM. The change in seclusion rate was highly significant (chi square = 49.1, df = 1, p < .001). Results are discussed, having reference to the limitations inherent in a naturalistic study.

Introduction: Recovery-oriented practice policies and occupational therapy education accreditation standards require that consumers are engaged in the design, delivery and evaluation of curricula. This consumer involvement (sometimes referred to as serviceuser involvement or patient involvement in other contexts) should go beyond consumers simply 'telling their stories' to more meaningful collaboration in curricula. This study was designed to map the current patterns of consumer involvement in occupational therapy programs across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Method: A survey was distributed to all occupational therapy programs across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The survey included questions related to: (a) perceived enablers and barriers to consumer involvement in education; (b) organisational structures and support; (c) ways in which consumer are involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of curricula; (d) access to remuneration for consumers; (e) overall ratings of the level of consumer involvement in curricula; and (f) academic confidence in working with consumers.Results: Usable responses were received for 23 programs from 19 universities (83% response rate). Every program reported some consumer involvement in the curriculum. Consumer participation tended to be mainly focussed on curriculum delivery with less frequent involvement in curriculum design or evaluation. The most common barrier to consumer involvement in curricula was 'funding/remuneration for

Delivering an effective supported employment program using an inter-agency partnership method is challenging. There are several roles in which occupational therapists can be involved that facilitate improving both the implementation and the effectiveness of supported employment for people with severe mental illness in Australia.

Sensory modulation, as a treatment for sensory modulation disorders in adults with psychiatric conditions, has been implemented by occupational therapists for more than two decades. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to evaluate published research evidence relating to this intervention. The aim of the study was to determine if there was established evidence for the effectiveness of sensory modulation in treating sensory modulation disorder in adults with schizophrenia and to identify any gaps in knowledge to guide further research. We utilized Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)'s levels of evidence and recommendation grading and the Rosalind Franklin Research Appraisal Instrument (RF-QRA) to review selected articles. The results were then summarized and reported utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. A total of 17 studies were included in the study. We concluded that there is preliminary evidence for the existence of sensory modulation disorder in schizophrenia and the effectiveness of sensory modulation interventions for reducing distress. We recommended further studies on the effectiveness of sensory modulation with better rigor and advise that guidelines be developed for use in practice by clinicians.