This sample of elderly individuals with chronic pain described occupational adaptations, or adaptations to "doing," as a means of coping with their chronic pain. There appeared to be a relation among pain, functional difficulty, depression, social support, and occupational adaptation. Additional research to increase the understanding of occupational adaptation as a means of coping with chronic pain is warranted.
This article describes major findings from a study of the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding for children with cerebral palsy. Nineteen children (aged 4-12 years) with mild or moderate degrees of cerebral palsy were recruited from a children's treatment centre. Prior to randomization, the children were stratified according to their degree of disability. Ten children were allocated to a riding (experimental) group, and participated in one-hour weekly riding classes for six months. The remaining nine children were put on a waiting list for riding. The results of the study were inconclusive as so often in the case with children with cerebral palsy. Qualitative results gleaned from the weekly progress recordings of the riding instructor, reports of the on-site physical therapist, and reports from parents showed clear progressions in physical and psychosocial functioning. Results of standardized quantitative assessments showed few statistically significant changes in the children. The study clearly indicates a need for further research and for finding or developing instruments that are able to capture and reveal meaningful changes in physical and psychosocial status.
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