PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Jane Bear-Lehman

Publications and source records attributed to Jane Bear-Lehman.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Variation in sources of clinician-rated and self-rated instrumental activities of daily living disability.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how well self-reports and clinician ratings of performance in the instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs; household maintenance tasks) correspond and why they may differ. METHODS: We assessed clinician-rated IADL performance using an occupational therapy protocol, the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). AMPS and self-rated IADL disability were compared in two groups of nondemented elderly persons without ADL limitation: a group with functional limitation only (self-reported difficulty in some area of upper or lower body function, n = 139) and a group that reported functional limitation plus IADL disability (difficulty in at least one IADL task, n = 49). Occupational therapists were blind to self-reports, and all assessments were conducted in respondent homes. RESULTS: Self-rated IADL disability was significantly associated with the AMPS motor skill score (r = -.34, p <.001), but the motor skill score was only moderately sensitive (61%) and specific (67%) in identifying self-rated disability. In adjusted logistic regression models, clinician-rated performance and self-rated IADL disability shared some physical predictors, but only clinician-rated performance was related to cognitive status. AMPS process skill scores did not relate to self-rated IADL disability or physical or cognitive status. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of older adults without dementia or ADL disability, clinician ratings of IADL motor skill and self-rated IADL disability were correlated. Physical deficits appear to be more salient in self-ratings than is cognitive ability, because cognitive ability (in particular, verbal fluency) was associated only with clinician-rated IADL performance.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Disparities between ambient, standard lighting and retinal acuities in community-dwelling older people: Implications for disability.

OBJECTIVES: To examine three types of visual ability-ambient acuity, standard lighting acuity, and retinal acuity-and their relationship with self-reported disability. DESIGN: Cross-sectional prevalence survey. SETTING: New York, New York. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling older people. MEASUREMENTS: Ambient acuity assessed using a near reading card; standard lighting acuity and retinal acuity assessed using the Retinal Acuity Meter. Difficulty in activities of daily living was assessed according to self-report. RESULTS: Mean logMAR acuities were 0.44 (20/56) for ambient acuity, 0.33 (20/44) for standard lighting acuity, and 0.19 (20/31) for retinal acuity (all pairwise differences, P < .001). Given the distribution of disability by ambient acuity in this sample, improving ambient acuity to the level of retinal acuity could potentially reduce self-care disability 22%. CONCLUSION: Better utilization of retinal acuity through optimal ophthalmologic care and improvement in lighting would likely reduce disability in older adults.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Children's computer usage: are they at risk of developing repetitive strain injury?

The purpose of this study was to determine the average time school children spend on computers and electronic games, the positions they assume, and any associated discomfort related to their use. A twenty three-point questionnaire was distributed to 476 children in first to eighth grade from three parochial schools in one of the New York City boroughs. The findings of this study suggest that children use the computer and electronic games differently than adults and that more boys than girls engage in electronic game playing. Results clearly indicated that children are experiencing discomfort from the use of computers or electronic games, and that the discomfort is largely concentrated in the neck region. Occupational therapy could be instrumental in terms of educating the children, their parents/guardians, and their teachers on proper body mechanics, applications of ergonomically suited workstations, and the use of rest/stretch breaks while engaged in computing and electronic game playing.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An exploratory look at hand strength and hand size among preschoolers.

The purpose of this study was to develop an initial understanding about grip strength, pinch strength and hand size in normally developing 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children. This study also investigated whether there were relationships among lowing variables: hand strength, hand size, age, and gender. A Jamar dynamometer was used to measure grip strength, and a Jamar pinch gauge was used to measure lateral pinch strength. The study population consisted of 81 preschool children from culturally an economically diverse communities in New York City. Hand strength and hand size were found to increase with each age level. The 5-year-olds were strongest in grip and pinch ability and had larger hands than the 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds. There was no statistically significant difference observed between the boys and the girls or the preferred hand in terms of hand strength.

Child, Preschool↗