Papers by Pavlina Psychouli
Pediatric Physical Therapy, 2016
IOS Press eBooks, Jun 29, 2022
Modern Wearable Medical Devices (WMDs), implement capabilities that have contributed significantl... more Modern Wearable Medical Devices (WMDs), implement capabilities that have contributed significantly to patient outcomes, as well as quality of life. Using such devices can be beneficial for many patients, especially during the time of the pandemic where everyone had to isolate at home. This paper presents a proof of concept of a new low-cost technology-based approach to support home-based rehabilitation for people with hemiplegia aiming to assess the effectiveness of their home-based exercises thus making telerehabilitation sessions more effective.
Journal of occupational therapy education, 2019
In an increasingly diverse and global society, allied health professionals must be ready to meet ... more In an increasingly diverse and global society, allied health professionals must be ready to meet the needs of clients with different cultural values, habits, and attitudes. Understanding how culture impacts decision making in healthcare is a fundamental skill. However, education and experiences to help prepare future practitioners to meet this need are often lacking in allied health. This paper highlights a call to develop methods to identify and overcome barriers in providing students with culturally diverse and immersive experiences both feasibly and efficiently. A pilot cross-cultural experience was created utilizing the technique of Internationalization at Home (IaH) and integrating technology to improve the fidelity of the interactions. The focus of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of bringing students from two countries (one United States and one European program) together in a structured learning session related to culture and occupational therapy. The outcome of this pilot project was overwhelmingly positive. While there were some limitations in connectivity and organization, the students reported they benefitted from both exposures to a different culture, as well as from the discussions related to their future roles within the profession of occupational therapy.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The objective of this study was to develop an occupation-centered and client-centered assessment ... more The objective of this study was to develop an occupation-centered and client-centered assessment tool for refugees and asylum seekers. A preliminary tool outline was produced based on a literature review, while considering previous published tools’ strengths and limitations. A qualitative study was undertaken via focus groups to improve on the tool’s design and adequacy for its purpose, resulting in the creation of a pilot version of the tool. Convenience sampling included 8 Greek and Cypriot professional and student occupational therapists with experience in the field, 8 international expert occupational therapists, 4 laypeople, 4 humanitarian professionals, and 5 refugees and asylum seekers. Basic qualitative content and thematic analysis led to topics regarding tool modifications that concerned categorization, formation/structure, wording, administration, and assessment scale. Corresponding tool revisions ensued. This study led to the development of the pilot version of the Refug...
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
Modern Wearable Medical Devices (WMDs), implement capabilities that have contributed significantl... more Modern Wearable Medical Devices (WMDs), implement capabilities that have contributed significantly to patient outcomes, as well as quality of life. Using such devices can be beneficial for many patients, especially during the time of the pandemic where everyone had to isolate at home. This paper presents a proof of concept of a new low-cost technology-based approach to support home-based rehabilitation for people with hemiplegia aiming to assess the effectiveness of their home-based exercises thus making telerehabilitation sessions more effective.
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 2019
In an increasingly diverse and global society, allied health professionals must be ready to meet ... more In an increasingly diverse and global society, allied health professionals must be ready to meet the needs of clients with different cultural values, habits, and attitudes. Understanding how culture impacts decision making in healthcare is a fundamental skill. However, education and experiences to help prepare future practitioners to meet this need are often lacking in allied health. This paper highlights a call to develop methods to identify and overcome barriers in providing students with culturally diverse and immersive experiences both feasibly and efficiently. A pilot cross-cultural experience was created utilizing the technique of Internationalization at Home (IaH) and integrating technology to improve the fidelity of the interactions. The focus of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of bringing students from two countries (one United States and one European program) together in a structured learning session related to culture and occupational therapy. The outcome of this pilot project was overwhelmingly positive. While there were some limitations in connectivity and organization, the students reported they benefitted from both exposures to a different culture, as well as from the discussions related to their future roles within the profession of occupational therapy.
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 2009
The purpose of this study was (1) to identify the most appropriate splint from children&a... more The purpose of this study was (1) to identify the most appropriate splint from children's and parents' perspective as reflected by effectiveness and adherence to home-based forced use therapy (FUT). (2) To provide guidance in the development of a practical and effective protocol based on forced use principles. A crossover design with a convenience sample of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and their parents was used to test three types of splint (mitt, short splint and long splint) during home-based FUT. Children wore the splints for a minimum of 1 h/ day during physical activity. Outcome measures included a daily log and a questionnaire (completed by parents), an actometer worn on the affected hand to quantify movement and video recordings to inform quality of movement. The short splint was found to be the most effective and acceptable restraining device. Wearing devices for more than 1 h per day was not considered acceptable by either parents or children. A short splint, worn for 1 h per day was found to be the most acceptable protocol.
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, Nov 26, 2009
The purpose of this study was (1) to identify the most appropriate splint from children&a... more The purpose of this study was (1) to identify the most appropriate splint from children's and parents' perspective as reflected by effectiveness and adherence to home-based forced use therapy (FUT). (2) To provide guidance in the development of a practical and effective protocol based on forced use principles. A crossover design with a convenience sample of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and their parents was used to test three types of splint (mitt, short splint and long splint) during home-based FUT. Children wore the splints for a minimum of 1 h/ day during physical activity. Outcome measures included a daily log and a questionnaire (completed by parents), an actometer worn on the affected hand to quantify movement and video recordings to inform quality of movement. The short splint was found to be the most effective and acceptable restraining device. Wearing devices for more than 1 h per day was not considered acceptable by either parents or children. A short splint, worn for 1 h per day was found to be the most acceptable protocol.
One new treatment strategy for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) is constraint-induced... more One new treatment strategy for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) is constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). CIMT combines restraint of the less affected upper extremity and intensive exercise with the affected limb. CIMT has been shown to be effective in adults following stroke but it is not clear whether or not CIMT can readily be incorporated into clinical practice either with adults or children. An intervention that may be more practical involves the restraint element of CIMT without additional exercise (Forced use therapy-FUT). FUT has been only sparsely investigated, especially in children with CP. Different versions of CIMT protocols have been suggested as being „child-friendly? but identifying a practical and effective protocol remains challenging. Part of a child-friendly protocol includes identification of the most appropriate type of constraint, as different splints have been used for different populations without justification of their selection. In this pr...
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 2020
Abstract Background: Occupational therapy is a physically, psychologically and cognitively demand... more Abstract Background: Occupational therapy is a physically, psychologically and cognitively demanding job. This study aims to explore the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries, mental issues, and burnout in occupational therapy practitioners in Greece and Cyprus. Method: A survey was conducted, including the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: Out of 247 respondents, 70% reported severe lower back pain, 9.7% of Greek occupational therapists were in the moderate and high PHQ-9 scale, while disengagement and exhaustion were found 2.026 (±0.54) and 2.592 (±0.533) respectively. Conclusion: High rates of burnout, correlated with psychological and musculoskeletal disorders were identified in both countries. Work-related stress and musculoskeletal disorders may be more evident in countries hit by recession.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 2018
Rehabilitation aims at brain rewiring through intensive practice following brain injury. This pap... more Rehabilitation aims at brain rewiring through intensive practice following brain injury. This paper presents a new supportive mechanism that will be used to isolate wrist movement and in combination to the use of serious games, to act as a motivational tool to improve adherence during home-based practice. The paper describes the proposed methodology employed to carry out the home-based programme while leap motion is used to monitor and evaluate these exercises.
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2017
This paper presents a novel robotic system, which aims to enhance children's motivation throu... more This paper presents a novel robotic system, which aims to enhance children's motivation through the gamification of the CIMT process. The system offers adjustability of the required movement skills, ensuring children will put increasingly more effort to achieve the rehabilitation goal, while keeping the task fun and engaging.
International Journal of Integrated Care
American Journal of Occupational Therapy
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Papers by Pavlina Psychouli