Alexandra Danial-Saad

Background/Objectives: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease characterized by severe muscle weakness and atrophy. Advances in disease-modifying therapies have dramatically changed the natural history of SMA and the outcome measures that are used to assess the clinical response to therapy. Standard assessment methods for SMA are limited in their ability to detect minor changes in fine motor abilities and in patients’ daily functions. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary use of the Touchscreen-Assessment Tool (TATOO) alongside standardized tools to detect changes in upper extremity motor function among individuals with SMA receiving nusinersen therapy. Methods: Thirteen individuals with genetically-confirmed SMA, aged 6–23 years, eight with SMA type 2, and five with SMA type 3, participated. The patients continued the maintenance dosing of nusinersen during the study period. They were evaluated at the onset of the study, then twice more at intervals at least six months apart. Upper extremity functional assessments were performed via the TATOO and standardized tools: the Hand Grip Dynamometer (HGD), Pinch Dynamometer (PD), Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM), and Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT). Results: Significant changes in fine motor function were detected using the TATOO together with other standardized tools. Participants demonstrated notable improvements in hand grip strength and fine motor performance, as measured by the NHPT. The RULM results were not statistically significant for the total study group, particularly in ambulatory patients with SMA type 3. TATOO provided detailed metrics, and revealed enhancements in accuracy and speed across various tasks. However, given the small sample size, the lack of a control group, and the lack of baseline assessment before receiving therapy, these findings should be considered preliminary and exploratory. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the TATOO, alongside traditional assessment tools, offers a sensitive measure of fine motor function changes in patients with SMA. This study highlights the potential of touchscreen-based assessments to address gaps in current outcome measures and emphasizes the need for larger, multicenter studies that will include pre-treatment, baseline, and control data.

Museums serve as essential cultural centers, yet their mostly visual exhibits restrict access for blind and partially sighted (BPS) individuals. While recent technological advances have started to bridge this gap, many accessibility solutions focus mainly on basic inclusion rather than promoting independent exploration. This research addresses this limitation by creating features that enable visitors’ independence through customizable interaction patterns and self-paced exploration. It improved upon existing interactive tangible user interfaces (ITUIs) by enhancing their audio content and adding more flexible user control options. A mixed-methods approach evaluated the ITUI’s usability, ability to be used independently, and user satisfaction. Quantitative data were gathered using ITUI-specific satisfaction, usability, comparison, and general preference scales, while insights were obtained through notes taken during a think-aloud protocol as participants interacted with the ITUIs, direct observation, and analysis of video recordings of the experiment. The results showed a strong preference for a Pushbutton-based ITUI, which scored highest in usability (M = 87.5), perceived independence (72%), and user control (76%). Participants stressed the importance of tactile interaction, clear feedback, and customizable audio features like volume and playback speed. These findings underscore the vital role of user control and precise feedback in designing accessible museum experiences.

This article describes a qualitative study of the transition experiences of novice occupational therapists in Israel from their status as students to novice therapists in the labor market. The purpose of the study was to understand the significance of this transition from the subjective perspective of the study participants – Arab occupational therapists, graduates of Occupational Therapy studies in academic institutions in Israel. The study was based on a qualitative-phenomenological approach and included thirteen female interviewees who were recruited in a targeted sample and interviewed in a semi-structured interview. The content of the interviews was analyzed according to the principles of qualitative research, in order to identify main categories and themes. The findings pointed to four main themes: (a) The experience of transition as a universal process. This theme describes processes and experiences shared by each occupational therapist (OT) such as the process of job search and integration into work; (b) The transition experience as a cultural context. This theme describes the general barriers related to the physical, social, and cultural environment of the Arab OTs in order to integrate into the culturally diverse Israeli labor market, in terms of service providers and service recipients; (c) Personal processes that promote coping with the challenges of the transition. This theme included the personality characteristics and soft skills of the Arab recruits that promoted coping with the difficulties they experienced at the beginning, and the strategies that helped them do so; (d) In light of the above, recommendations emerged for the novice therapists, employers, and managements of Occupational Therapy departments to facilitate the transition.

Aims: Aging populations require adapting healthcare systems for older adult's specific needs. Numerous initiatives to improve older‐patient care have emerged, but the field lacks a unified framework. The current study aims to provide a systematic concept analysis of ‘age‐friendly healthcare’, examining its characteristics, components and structure.Design: Rodger's evolutionary concept analysis.Data Sources: Searches were conducted in ProQuest, CINAHL, PubMed and Scopus databases between November 2022 and October 2023, utilising the PRISMA 2020 reporting checklist.Methods: A literature search using specific terms relevant to age‐friendly healthcare retrieved 1407 articles. After screening for duplicates and relevance, 140 articles were examined for eligibility based on inclusion criteria for age‐friendly care, language and full‐text availability. Following full‐text screening, 65 articles were included for data extraction by multiple researchers to synthesise theoretical, methodological and design elements.Results: Our findings highlight key attributes of age‐friendly healthcare: Respect for older adults' autonomy and needs; leadership and organisational knowledge and support; Proactive policies and processes of care; holistic care environments; and communication and follow‐up with awareness of challenges and barriers as well as prioritisation of continuity‐of‐care.Conclusion: The concept of age‐friendly healthcare is still developing, with much research focused on development and implementation rather than evaluation of real‐world patient and health‐system outcomes. Our analysis of the concept may help unify the field and clarify future research directions through identification of areas requiring further study and enable development of improved practices and policies for implementing age‐friendly healthcare in a variety of settings.No Patient or Public Contribution: This concept analysis did not include any patient or public involvement.Reporting Method: This study utilised the PRISMA reporting checklist.

The present quantitative, non-experimental comparative study, delves into the long-term effects of the collaborative practicum model (specifically the “academy-class” model) on novice teachers. The research aims to discern disparities in the professional self-efficacy of novice educators who underwent training within the collaborative practicum model as opposed to those who adhered to the conventional teaching model. This comparative analysis is based on three variables: perception of the teaching profession, professional self-efficacy, and socio-economic security. Furthermore, the study examines whether the collaborative model contributes to cultivating more favorable attitudes toward the teaching profession and a greater inclination to continue teaching for an extended period exceeding three years. The study encompasses a cohort of 436 Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) graduates from 22 Israeli Higher Education Institutions who completed their degrees within the past five years. The research findings underscore a higher level of teaching efficacy, socio-economic security, and a more positive outlook among those who participated in the collaborative practicum and expressed their intent to persist in the teaching profession. These outcomes underscore the vital role of the collaborative practicum model, hinting at its potential to positively influence the retention rate within the teaching profession. Furthermore, it underscores the crucial connection between comprehensive and meaningful training within a collaborative practicum framework and the sustainable professional growth of educators. This robust training approach can potentially secure the continued presence of dedicated and enthusiastic educators in the field over the long term.