A systematic review of the literature on horseback riding therapy as an intervention for children with cerebral palsy (CP) was carried out. There is contradicting evidence on how effective hippotherapy is for children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy. The article found that there is evidence that hippotherapy is effective for treating muscle symmetry in the hips and trunk. Horseback riding is also effective for gross motor function when compared to regular therapy. I found this article interesting since my fieldwork educator complete hippotherapy out at a clinic and is always talking about the various benefits she sees.

This article discusses the need for more research behind the sensory integration approach. The article discusses Jean Ayres ideas of providing the child with a just right approach along with an adaptive response when completing sensory integration during therapy. The article discusses the need the parents feel for sensory processing input. This article was interesting to read since I am currently completing lots of sensory integration therapy with my clients.

This article discusses hinders and successes individuals face when transitioning to adulthood when living with a disability. The article identified that individuals need to develop a skill set along with environmental supports before transitioning into adulthood. The article also discusses the need to have an individualized approach to service delivery.

This article discussed the effectiveness of play therapy. The article discussed the criticisms surrounding play therapy. The article found that humanistic therapy was more accepted than non-humanistic therapy. It also stated that play therapy was found to be more effective with the parents involved. I find this to be true when working with kids because it lets the parents have a chance to learn techniques and carry over into the home for better results.

The purpose of this article was to identify and analyze different autism spectrum disorder interventions readily used and how they can be implemented into occupational therapy treatment. The article identified six approaches an occupational therapist can take when working with a child with ASD. The six interventions being sensory integration, interactive interventions, developmental skill based, social cognitive, parent directed, and and intensive behavioral therapy. All of which I have used while on my peds rotation.

This articles discusses the effectiveness of occupational therapy for stroke patients following discharge from a stroke unit. There was an experimental group and control group who received no follow up appointments following discharge. Both group were compared one year post-stroke. The article discusses that there were few significant findings, in terms of activities of daily living, IADLs, mood, and percieved quality of life. However, the number of adaptive equipment requested was greater and re-admissions to the hospital was smaller following the one year. This articles points out that stroke patients need occupational therapy services in order to help make sure they have all the resources they need when returning to home post stroke and living a healthy lifestyle following.

This articles stands behind my feelings that group occupational therapy as effective. The article how as parkinson's disorder progresses many patients begin to lose their ability to complete their daily activities and must begin to depend on their spouse or caregivers. The article completed a trial which had an experimental and control group which were evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment again at 6 months and 1 year after group occupational therapy. What they found was that the experimental group maintained their functional status and psychosocial well-being 1 year post therapy compared to the control group. Participants in the experimental group even showed signs of decreased bradykinesia. Overall, this article supports the use of group occupational therapy for patients living with Parkinson's. The 5 week sessions focused on general mobilization activities, a rest break with socialization, and then dexterity focus. I really enjoy how they incorporate a socialization piece because I have noticed at my facility how many patient begin to slow down their processing when communicating and this would give them the time to talk with others who also need the appropriate time to process what they want to say!

This article discusses the treatments for trigger finger release which were splinting, corticosteroid injections, and surgery. The article discussed wearing a MCP blocking splint in 0 degrees for 3-6 weeks for different periods of time dependent upon therapist requests would be appropriate. Corticosteroid injections were preferred for immediate relief, however there is some debating going on for how many times you should get the steroid before it starts to have negative effects. Lastly, therapy should be started 10-14 days post-op for scar management post trigger finger release surgery. This articles also discusses the use of NSAIDs and cold therapy for management of symptoms for trigger finger. The articles goes onto discuss that choosing which treatment option should be based upon the severity, duration, and previous treatments given. This article helped me understand the different routes patients can take prior to coming to therapy after surgery.

During the past 12 weeks at my site, I had the opportunity to work with many patients who had experienced distal radius fractures and were coming to therapy post surgery. This article discusses patients pain level, grip strength, pinch strength, and ROM following therapy 12 months out. Patients almost reached the same ROM in the treated hand that they did in the uninjured hand. Also, patients had increased grip and pinch strength. The interesting finding was that at 12 months, patients reported decreased pain, however between the 12-24 months there was increased pain at rest and during activity. The article discusses multiple patients having pain due to a volar locking plate as fixation. However, patients who did have the plate removed had significant pain and were not as satisfied with the result either at 12 to 24 months following surgery. I found this interesting because most of my patient's who would come to me for therapy would continue to complain about pain and decreased ROM throughout our sessions. Educating patients on their limitations due to the plate and learning more about how to help individuals with a plate in the volar aspect of the arm is key to helping them

I found this article very helpful in understanding the usefulness in botox when working with patients, especially stroke patients, who have extreme spasticity in their upper limbs. This articles discusses the reliability and effectiveness in the use of botulinum toxin A when used in managing spasticity post stroke. The studies provided in this article support chemodenervation with botox A which helps with treating focal muscle over activity and spasticity post stroke. Botox A was most effective in the elbow flexors, ankle planter flexors, and intrinsics of the hand and wrist. It was noted that repeated injections of botox A resulted in longer waits between each injection without change in next dose. I found this useful when working at my site these past 12 weeks because I had a patient who had spasticity in L UE and recently received botox in L UE. The patient now how some grasp/release control and is able to initiate biceps in order to flex at the elbow.