Objective: Meta-analysis was conducted to examine effects of OT interventions based on sensory stimulation, environmental modification and functional task activity on the behavioral problems and depression of individual with dementia. Search strategy: An extensive search in database such as MEDLINE, CINAHL, ProQuest Medical Library, and Cochrane and OT related 11 journals was performed. Selection criteria: Potential studies were identified through the keywords: dementia or Alzheimer, randomized controlled trials and occupational therapy or occupational therapist or ADL or sensory stimulation or Snoezelen or environmental modification or education for caregivers. Data collection and analysis: Two reviewers independently identified studies, extracted data, assessed methodological quality of the studies. Effect size was estimated using standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals. Significant heterogeneity and publication bias were investigated. Main results: Nine studies including 751 people were selected. Sensory stimulation was effective intervention in improving behavioral problems (0.32; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.59). Conclusion: This review identified that OT intervention based on sensory stimulation was effective intervention to improve behavioral problems. However, the number of studies included in this review is limited. More research is needed to enable evidence-based OT for dementia patients.

The purpose of this study was to observe changes in electromyographic activity appeared in shoulder and scapular muscles when one wears no wrist extension orthosis, short wrist extension orthosis and long wrist extension orthosis when performing two model assembling operations. The study subjects were 16 adults who use right hand and did not have any functional disorder on their wrist or the upper limbs without any orthopedic surgery. The study subjects were asked to do the two model assembling operations without wrist extension orthosis, with a short wrist extension orthosis and with a long wrist extension orthosis. As a result of repetitive assembling operation that requires shoulder movement, electromyographic activity in upper trapezius and serratus anterior increased significantly when the subjects wore the short and long wrist extension orthoses compared to none. When the subjects performed repetitive assembling operation that requires shoulder stability, electromyographic activity in upper trapezius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and anterior deltoid showed significant increase when they wore the short and long wrist extension orthoses compared to none. Especially, the upper trapezius showed significantly high electromyographic activity when they wore the long wrist extension orthosis compared to a short one.

Objective: Meta analysis of studies was carried out to examine the effectiveness of functional task training with mental practice on functional performance following stroke. Search strategy: An exhaustive search was conducted using computerized datab

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major public health problem related to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether recommended levels of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) decrease the risk of MetS in a community-based prospective cohort study (Ansung and Ansan cohort). A total of 3910 adults (1890 men, 2020 women) without MetS examined in 2001-2002 (baseline) were included in this study and followed up from 2013 to 2014. We measured LTPA energy expenditure using the standard metabolic equivalent value [metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h/wk]. Individuals were categorized into five groups (physically inactive, 0.1 to <7.5, 7.5 to <15.0, 15.0 to <22.5, 22.5 to <40.0, and ≥40.0 MET-h/wk). The mean follow-up period was 11.8 years. Among the cohort, 482 men (25.5%) and 541 women (26.8%) were diagnosed with newly developed MetS. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed a 4.4% lower MetS risk among those performing two to three times the recommended minimum of 7.5 MET-h/wk [multivariate relative risk (RR), 0.956; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.654-1.398] and a 21.9% lower risk among those performing three to four times the physical activity minimum (multivariate RR, 0.781; 95% CI, 0.574-1.063). This association was only significant in females performing three to four times the minimum (crude RR, 0.655; 95% CI, 0.432-0.994). We noted that physical activity at more than 2 times the recommended minimum prevents MetS. Healthcare professionals should encourage inactive adults to be physically active during their leisure time to take advantage of its health benefits.