The latest medical research on Occupational Therapy

Tinnitus, the perception of sound without an external source, affects many adults, impacting quality of life. While factors like hearing loss and psychological distress are linked to tinnitus, the relationship with physical activity remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the association between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and the presence of tinnitus.

This study is a cross-sectional study. The participants completed the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to investigate associations between (components of) physical activity and the presence of tinnitus, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated.

This study involved 3004 participants (2751 tinnitus patients, 253 healthy controls).

Engaging in moderate or vigorous-intensity physical activity during leisure time for more than 2.5 hours per week was associated with a reduced risk of having tinnitus (OR = 0.515, p < 0.001). Conversely, individuals who reported sitting for more than 7 hours per day had a significantly higher risk of having tinnitus (OR = 2.366, p < 0.001).

The study suggests a potential protective effect of leisure-time physical activity against tinnitus and highlights the importance of reducing sedentary behaviour. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand underlying mechanisms.

To examine the persistence of visual symptoms in mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) during the first months after injury. It is important to recognize visual disturbances because they can delay return to normal activities, while they might be simultaneously treated by visual therapy. Here we describe the results from a 1-year follow-up study of visual disturbances after MTBI.

The study group comprised 26 patients from the Brain Injury Clinic of the Helsinki University Hospital. Inclusion criterion was a high score (≥21p) on the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS) at an appointment with a neurologist within 6 months after injury. The patients underwent baseline vision evaluation at 4 months on average and follow-up at 14 months after injury. The evaluation included tests for visual acuity, near point of convergence, convergence facility, near point of accommodation, accommodative facility, motility, heterophoria, binocular vision, dynamic visual acuity, and fusional vergence width at near and far distances. Further assessments included the Rivermead Post Concussion Questionnaire for posttraumatic symptoms, a visual analog scale for visual fatigue, and the Developmental Eye Movement Test for saccadic eye movements.

Both CISS and Rivermead Post Concussion Questionnaire scores improved significantly from baseline to follow-up. The overall level of visual fatigue according to visual analog scale score was lower at follow-up, but the increase in visual fatigue (comparing fatigue before and after assessment session) was significant both at baseline and follow-up. In visual function assessments, spontaneous recovery from baseline to follow-up could be seen in vergence facility and pursuit eye movement but not in near point of convergence, near fusion, distance fusion, heterophoria, and dynamic visual acuity.

The results point out the importance of evaluation of visual disturbances after MTBI. Early detection of these disturbances may provide an opportunity to provide visual therapy.

Adults and children who experience brain injury may need services and support when they return to the community. Home- and community-based services waivers are one way to access those supports. Brain injury waivers do not exist in every state, and variations exist in current waivers. This article describes existing brain injury waivers and how they vary by state.

States were included if their most recent waiver application was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. States were excluded if waivers were terminated or expired. Data were collected by analyzing each state's waiver across the areas of diagnosis definition, ages served, self-direction, service setting, persons served, services offered, budget, and assistive technology. Statistical analysis included frequency and descriptive statistics due to the limited number of participants.

Each state designs its own waivers. Differences exist in eligibility criteria, services provided, settings, and the rights of participants.

Analysis of the waivers showcased differences in all areas. These factors determine which brain injury survivors can receive services from specialized waivers, what services are available to them, where they can receive services, and what rights they can exercise.