Aims: This article describes a home-based study evaluating the effectiveness of modified constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) in improving upper limb function in stroke survivors, and compares it with the clinical-based Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) approach. Methods: In this pretest-post-test randomized study, 10 stroke survivors received home-based modified CIMT and eight stroke survivors received conventional NDT rehabilitation. The focus of the CIMT was on the hemiplegic hand, by which the less affected hand was restrained, with structured training for the more affected arm and hand. The intervention was executed two hours a day, seven days a week for two months, in the patients' normal day-care environment. Arm motor function outcomes were evaluated using the Wolf Motor Function Test as a primary outcome measure. The motor activity log, and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment were used as secondary outcome measures. Findings: Stroke survivors in the CIMT group showed a statistically significant improvement in all arm motor function outcomes. However, while numerically the improvement was better in the CIMT group, it failed to be significantly better than that seen in the NDT group. Conclusions: Home based CIMT conducted by caregivers with therapists' support is a promising approach for improving affected upper limb in stroke survivors. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

The purpose of this study was to determine if Jordanian health professionals have adequate understanding of occupational therapy. A convenience sample of 556 Jordanian physicians, nurses, and physical therapists from two hospitals completed a developed questionnaire about occupational therapy including general knowledge, areas of practice, therapy goals, treatment strategies, and perceptions. Results showed that physical therapists were more informed about occupational therapy than physicians and nurses, although the level of knowledge of occupational therapy was limited for all three groups. The implications of the results are discussed in addition to exploring ideas about improving the awareness of the profession.

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The purpose of this study is to understand religious factors role during recovery period among Jordanian receiving treatment for alcohol and substances abuse. Participants were asked to answer open-ended questions related to role of religion on their recovery from alcohol and substances abuse. Content analysis was used to explore the role of religion on their recovery process. One hundred and forty-six clients from two treatment centers participated with two main themes that emerged from the analysis: role of religion and role of religious men. Religion not only helps during the recovery process, but also is considered as a protector from drug and alcohol abuse in the future.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the working conditions and factors related to job satisfaction among Jordanian occupational therapists. A self-administered survey consisting of several questions about the participants' jobs was developed for this study. The inclusion criteria included occupational therapists who worked in the field of occupational therapy (OT) in Jordan and who had at least six months of experience. The survey was distributed to 120 occupational therapists in different OT settings. One hundred and one occupational therapists from different hospitals, centres, schools and universities responded to the survey. Salaries of the participants were low in comparison with the salaries of the rest of healthcare practitioners in Jordan. Chi-square analysis revealed significant relationship between participants' perceived job satisfaction and the administration of the setting, and between the choice of studying OT and the salary that the participant makes. Most occupational therapists in Jordan are young, have modest experience and work in general OT services in government-owned facilities or paediatric centres. A sense of dissatisfaction was obvious among the participants. Further studies are needed to explore reasons of work satisfaction and dissatisfaction among occupational therapists in Jordan.

Background/Aim: There is a shortage of tools aimed for occupational therapy practice in

Objective: The purpose of this mixed design study was to examine quality of life from the stroke survivors' perspectives. It addressed the question: What factors have influenced the stroke survivors' quality of life (QOL)? and tested the null hypothesis that stroke has no influence on stroke survivors' QOL. Methods: A mixed design was used with nine stroke survivors who lived at home, were able to communicate and had experienced a stroke at least one year prior to the interview. Four data collection methods were used, including a semi-structured qualitative interview tool, two standardized tools measuring the QOL (the Delighted-Terrible Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)), and field notes. Results: On the Delighted-Terrible Scale the null hypothesis was rejected since the D max was found to be more than the critical Hashem Abu Tariah is affiliated with Texas Woman's University, and Gayle Hersch is Associate Professor, School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University,

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