There is a consensus in the literature that the company of a family member during the hospitalization period increases patient recovery. However, this can have some negative effects on the caregiver's health. With the purpose of reducing these negatives effects, it is useful to let family members express themselves. The State Hospital of Ribeirão Preto created a Group of Family Companions coordinated by the Occupational Therapy and Social Service. This study focuses on the assistance offered in a general hospital to families that undergo the whole illness and hospitalization process of their family member, suffering the impacts of this process in their daily lives, and on the intervention of Occupational Therapy in these cases.
The purpose of this study was to shed light on cortical audiotactile integration and sensory substitution mechanisms, thought to serve as a basis for the use of a sensor glove in the preservation of the cortical map of the hand after peripheral nerve injuries. Fourteen subjects were selected and randomly assigned either to a training group, trained to replace touch for hearing with the use of a sensor glove, or to a control group, untrained. Training group volunteers had to identify textures just by the sound. In an fMRI experiment, all subjects received three types of stimuli: tactile only, combined audiotactile stimulation, and auditory only. Results indicate that, for trained subjects, a coupling between auditory and somatosensory cortical areas is established through associative areas. Differences in signal correlation between groups point to a pairing mechanism, which, at first, connects functionally the primary auditory and sensory areas (trained subjects). Later, this connection seems to be mediated by associative areas. The training with the sensor glove influences cortical audiotactile integration mechanisms, determining BOLD signal changes in the somatosensory area during auditory stimulation.
The hospitalization process commit various aspects of the patient's life in addition to issues related to the individual experiencing the pathology the disruption of their daily lives, moving away from performing their duties, the family and social life, work and leisure. The occupational therapist works in the hospital helping the patient to create support systems so that it is able to face the difficulties brought about by hospitalization for this, the practitioner can use various resources, among these the Assistive Technology, developed to enable the increased autonomy and independence of the elderly, people with disabilities or reduced mobility in their activities. This study aims to know the auxiliary tables used by patients during hospitalization, with its possibilities for adaptations and different uses, and to propose design requirements for a new model that allows use of individuals with different capabilities. To achieve these goals survey was conducted via product catalogs of the hospital auxiliary tables available in the domestic market, described the physical characteristics of mobile, in addition, Occupational Therapists working in hospitals were invited to participate by answering a questionnaire on the side table available in their workplace. These professionals have indicated the physical characteristics of the auxiliary table and commented on improvements and adjustments needed to optimize the it's use to allow more functionality to the patient. Altogether 38 models were identified in the catalogs of hospital products, 37 models allow for height adjustment, through mechanisms of chrome guides at most tables. The basis of the tables is made of stainless steel and 36 models have casters. According to the research subjects to promote greater independence of the patient admitted it is necessary that the mobile enables greater height adjustment, use in different situations, present base resting directly on the ground, raised edges to prevent objects falling and tilting the top. Based on data collected in catalogs, participants' responses and considering ergonomic principles are proposed requirements for the design of a more versatile mobile that allows the patient the greatest possible functionality.
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