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- Sandqvist, Jan, 1968-
(författare)
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Development and Evaluation of Validity and Utility of the Instrument Assessment of Work Performance (AWP)
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The last decades have shown a great need for vocational rehabilitation due to high levels of absenteeism due to sickness and disability pension. An essential part of the vocational rehabilitation process is assessment of persons with reduced work functioning. Adequate and reliable methods for assessment of clients with work disabilities are crucial for both the individuals who are assessed and for society as a whole. Sound and precise work assessments are needed to guide clients to suitable interventions using a minimum of rehabilitation resources. However, work function assessments are complex and there is confusion over work assessment concepts. Therefore, further development and evaluation of adequate concepts and theoretical models within the area of work assessment is needed. Furthermore, vocational rehabilitation lacks adequate and reliable assessment instruments, especially instruments used to observe clients.This dissertation thesis focuses specifically on the following:- Development of a conceptual framework for assessment of work functioning [Study I]- Development and evaluation of validity and utility of the observation instrument Assessment of Work Performance (AWP) [Study II-IV]Study I proposes a conceptual framework for different dimensions of work functioning and highlights important factors for work assessment. The study also creates a framework to define the purpose, delimination, and possible assessment outcomes of the assessment instrument AWP.Study II develops an observation instrument for assessment of work performance, the Assessment of Work Performance (AWP) and conducts an initial evaluation of face validity and utility for the instrument. The initial evaluation in study II was made within a group of 21 assessors in Sweden, and the result indicated face validity and utility for the AWP, a result that supported further development and evaluation of the instrument.Study III investigates the content validity and utility of the AWP. A questionnaire was answered by 67 respondents who used the AWP in various vocational rehabilitation settings in Sweden. The result indicated content validity and utility for the AWP.Study IV investigates the construct validity of the instrument AWP. This study is based on 364 assessments with the AWP (version 1.1). The clients had various work-related problems and went through an insurance medicine investigation at a Social Insurance Office in Sweden between 2004 and 2005. The major findings in this study indicated that the AWP has construct validity, sensitivity, and the ability to discriminate between clients. It is also gender neutral.The future evaluation of AWP will comprise testing of predictive validity, inter-rater reliability and internal consistency reliability as well as an evaluation of how and with what results the instrument can be combined with other work-related assessment instruments.
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| 2. |
- Ahrén, Bo, et al.
(författare)
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Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV improves metabolic control over a 4-week study period in type 2 diabetes.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Diabetes Care. - : American Diabetes Association. - 0149-5992 .- 1935-5548. ; 25:5, s. 869-75
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been proposed as a new treatment modality for type 2 diabetes. To circumvent the drawback of the short half-life of GLP-1, inhibitors of the GLP-1-degrading enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) have been examined. Such inhibitors improve glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant rats and mice. In this study, we examined the 4-week effect of 1-[[[2-[(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)amino]ethyl]amino]acetyl]-2-cyano-(S)-pyrrolidine (NVP DPP728), a selective, orally active inhibitor of DPP IV, in subjects with diet-controlled type 2 diabetes in a placebo-controlled double-blind multicenter study.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 93 patients (61 men and 32 women), aged 64 +/- 9 years (means +/- SD) and with BMI 27.3 +/- 2.7 kg/m(2), entered the study. Fasting blood glucose was 8.5 +/- 1.5 mmol/l, and HbA(1c) was 7.4 +/- 0.7%. Before and after treatment with NVP DPP728 at 100 mg x 3 (n = 31) or 150 mg x 5 (n = 32) or placebo (n = 30), subjects underwent a 24-h study with standardized meals (total 2,000 kcal).RESULTS: Compared with placebo, NVP DPP728 at 100 mg t.i.d. reduced fasting glucose by 1.0 mmol/l (mean), prandial glucose excursions by 1.2 mmol/l, and mean 24-h glucose levels by 1.0 mmol/l (all P < 0.001). Similar reductions were seen in the 150-mg b.i.d. treatment group. Mean 24-h insulin was reduced by 26 pmol/l in both groups (P = 0.017 and P = 0.023). Although not an efficacy parameter foreseen in the study protocol, HbA(1c) was reduced to 6.9 +/- 0.7% in the combined active treatment groups (P < 0.001). Laboratory safety and tolerability was good in all groups.CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that inhibition of DPP IV is a feasible approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes in the early stage of the disease.
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| 7. |
- Björk Skuladottir, Edda, et al.
(författare)
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Translation and validation of Assessment of Work Performance (AWP) into the Icelandic language and culture
- 2021
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Ingår i: Work. - : IOS PRESS. - 1875-9270 .- 1051-9815. ; 69:4, s. 1305-1316
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND:Evidence-based services in vocational rehabilitation call for valid and reliable assessments of work performance for intervention planning and safe return to work for individuals with illness or injuries. Assessments that are easy to use, culturally adapted, and in a language professionals and clients understand is important for their utility. Translation and adaption of assessments to new languages and cultures are of importance to maintain high standards of assessments and the quality of services in the vocational rehabilitation setting. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the Assessment of Work Performance (AWP), into the Icelandic language and culture. Furthermore, to investigate the content validity and utility of the evaluation instrument. METHODS:The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase, based on the Dual-Panel translation method, included two expert panels performing translation and cultural adaption of the original Swedish AWP. In the second phase field testing of the translated instrument was followed by an online survey among vocational rehabilitation professionals for content validation and utility. RESULTS:The results of the study showed satisfactory opinions from experienced professionals toward the content validity, translation, cultural adaption, and utility of the Icelandic version of the AWP. CONCLUSIONS:The study indicates that the Dual-Panel translation method is a valid method when translating instruments from one language and culture to another. Furthermore, the results of the study imply that the AWP can be regarded as content valid up to an acceptable degree for implementation in vocational rehabilitation services in Iceland.
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| 8. |
- Borgestig, Maria, 1968-, et al.
(författare)
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Eye gaze performance for children with severe physical impairments using gaze-based assistive technology : a longitudinal study
- 2016
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Ingår i: Assistive technology. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1040-0435 .- 1949-3614. ; 28:2, s. 93-102
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gaze-based assistive technology (gaze-based AT) has the potential to provide children affected by severe physical impairments with opportunities for communication and activities. This study aimed to examine changes in eye gaze performance over time (time on task and accuracy) in children with severe physical impairments, without speaking ability, using gaze-based AT. A longitudinal study with an AB design was conducted on ten children (aged 1–15 years) with severe physical impairments, who were beginners to gaze-based AT at baseline. Thereafter, all children used the gaze-based AT in daily activities over the course of the study. Compass computer software was used to measure time on task and accuracy with eye selection of targets on screen, and tests were performed with the children at baseline, after 5 months, 9–11 months, and after 15–20 months. Findings showed that the children improved in time on task after 5 months and became more accurate in selecting targets after 15–20 months. This study indicates that these children with severe physical impairments, who were unable to speak, could improve in eye gaze performance. However, the children needed time to practice on a long-term basis to acquire skills needed to develop fast and accurate eye gaze performance.
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| 9. |
- Borgestig, Maria, 1968-, et al.
(författare)
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Gaze-based assistive technology in daily activities in children with severe physical impairments : an intervention study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Developmental Neurorehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1751-8423 .- 1751-8431. ; 20:3, s. 129-141
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To establish the impact of a gaze-based assistive technology (AT) intervention on activity repertoire, autonomous use, and goal attainment in children with severe physical impairments, and to examine parents’ satisfaction with the gaze-based AT and with services related to the gaze-based AT intervention.Methods: Non-experimental multiple case study with before, after, and follow-up design. Ten children with severe physical impairments without speaking ability (aged 1–15 years) participated in gaze-based AT intervention for 9–10 months, during which period the gaze-based AT was implemented in daily activities.Results: Repertoire of computer activities increased for seven children. All children had sustained usage of gaze-based AT in daily activities at follow-up, all had attained goals, and parents’ satisfaction with the AT and with services was high.Discussion: The gaze-based AT intervention was effective in guiding parents and teachers to continue supporting the children to perform activities with the AT after the intervention program.
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| 10. |
- Borgestig, Maria
(författare)
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The impact of gaze-based assistive technology on daily activities in children with severe physical impairments
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Aim: The aim of the thesis was to investigate the impact of gaze-based assistive technology on daily activities in children with severe physical impairments and without speech. The objectives were to develop and pilot a gaze-based assistive technology intervention (GAT intervention) at home and in school for these children and to understand its impact on daily activities as experienced by their parents.Methods: Study I was a pilot study in which the basic components that were developed for the intervention were evaluated for students with physical impairments. The study aimed at improving the use of computers as assistive technology (AT) in school. Based on the findings in Study I, the GAT intervention was developed. The GAT intervention aimed at implementing gaze-based AT in daily activities. It consisted of two parts; having access to gaze-based AT and having access to services from a multi professional communication team during nine to ten months. Studies II-IV concerned gazebased AT for children with severe physical impairments without speech who participated in the GAT intervention. The participants were ten children (ages 1-15) (Studies II, III), and their parents (Study IV). Studies II and III had longitudinal designs and children were followed during 15-20 months with repeated measurements before, after and at follow-up. In Study II children’s repertoire of computer activities, extent of use, and goal attainment with gaze-based AT was evaluated, as well as parents’ satisfaction with the AT and with services. In Study III children’s eye gaze performance when using gaze-based AT was examined. In Study IV, parents were interviewed twice with the aim of exploring their experiences of children’s gaze-based AT use in daily life. In Study IV a hermeneutical approach was used.Results: The findings of Study I showed that the basic components of intervention improved the use of computers in school. Study II showed an increased repertoire of computer activities with the gazebased AT, maintained use in daily activities for all at follow up, and that all children attained goals for gaze-based AT use in daily activities. Parents were satisfied with the gaze-based AT, and with the services in the GAT intervention. In study III, nine children improved in eye gaze performance over time when using the gaze-based AT in daily activities. Study IV revealed that children’s gaze-based AT usage in daily activities made a difference to parents since the children demonstrated agency, and showed their personality and competencies by using gaze-based AT, and for the parents this opened up infinite possibilities for the child to do and learn things. Overall, children’s gaze-based AT usage provided parents with hope of a future in which their children could develop and have influence in life.Conclusions: This thesis shows that these children with severe physical impairments and without speech acquired sufficient gaze control skills to use gaze-based AT for daily activities in the home and at school. The gaze-based AT had a positive impact on performing activities, for example, play activities and communication- and interaction-related activities. For the parents, children’s gaze-based AT usage made a difference since it shaped a hope of a better future for their children, where they can develop and gain influence in their future life. Furthermore, the children continued to perform daily activities with gaze-based AT over time. This finding suggests that key persons were provided with sufficient knowledge and skills to support children in maintained use of gaze-based AT after withdrawal of the services provided in the GAT intervention.
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