Hand contractures following burns are common in children and often require splinting for correction. Ready-made splints are frequently ineffective in complex deformities. This report describes a 2-year-old girl with a history of right-hand electrical burn who developed progressive claw hand deformity affecting the middle and ring fingers. She presented with proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal flexion with metacarpophalangeal hyperextension, tendon snapping in the middle finger, fragile postburn skin, and difficulty performing daily activities. After partial surgical release, a novel handmade splint applying the three-point extension principle was fabricated. Splinting was combined with structured home-based rehabilitation. After 1 month, she achieved full correction of deformity, near-full finger motion, no snapping, and independence in activities of daily living. This innovative splinting approach demonstrated promising short-term results. Further, case series with similar cases may be done and their longitudinal follow-up may be taken up to explore long-term outcomes.
Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) frequently struggle with oral motor skills deficiencies. In addition to postural control, respiratory control, sensory adaptation, sensorimotor facilitation, and direct feeding, the recently developed oral motor facilitation technique (OMFT) offers full oral motor therapy. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: (1) measure the impact of OMFT on treating oral motor problems, (2) to assess the impact of the OMFT on the quality of life (QoL) for children who have oral motor difficulties and their caregivers. Study Design: One-arm interventional study. Methods: The purpose of this one-arm interventional study design was to determine how OMFT affected the oral motor abilities and overall well-being of children with CP and the adults who cared for them. The number of selected children was 30, and OMFT was conducted for 6 weeks (12 sessions). Using the oral motor assessment scale, pediatric QoL inventory (CP module), and Feeding/Swallowing Impact Survey, the impacts on oral motor skills and the QoL of children with CP and their caregivers were evaluated both before and 6 weeks after OMFT. Differences among periods of OMFT were analyzed using the paired t -test, and the significance level (α) was set at P < 0.05. Results: Following OMFT, there was a notable increase in oral motor abilities with P < 0.000, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.328–0.146), and t value (5.320). Control of liquid during deglutition was the most effective with P < 0.000, 95% CI (0.656–0.277) and t value (5.037), while lip closure during deglutition was the least effective with P > 0.326, 95% CI (0.102–0.105) and t value (1.0000). In this study, QoL of children improved significantly with P < 0.000, 95% CI (0.011–0.003), and t value (3.699). Furthermore, QoL of caregivers was also found to be improved significantly with P < 0.000, 95% CI (0.308–0.767), and t value (4.796). Conclusion: It was found that OMFT was an efficient and helpful oral motor therapy regimen to enhance oral motor skills and also the QoL of CP children and their caregivers.
Background: Transgender lives embody resilience, creativity, and joy, extending beyond narratives of struggle. While pride and authenticity enrich these experiences, transgender individuals in India, particularly women, continue to face marginalization in education, employment, health care, and public life. Despite legal recognition, occupational participation that is essential for health and inclusion still remains underexplored and is often constrained by stigma, family rejection, economic insecurity, and environmental discrimination. Objectives: To explore the occupational participation of women who identify as transgender in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Study Design: A qualitative phenomenological study. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study involved seven consenting self-identified transwomen without comorbidities, aged 18–60 years, selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through telephonic semi-structured interviews in Tamil, the participants familiar language, using an interview guide based on the Person–Environment–Occupation–Performance model. Sociodemographic details were also collected. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and thematically analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase method. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institution. The study adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: Ten major themes emerged: (1) perception of work, (2) work as a survival strategy, (3) absence of rest days, (4) lack of employment opportunities, (5) self-expression through grooming, (6) emotional instability, (7) leisure participation, (8) community discrimination, (9) educational disruption, and (10) financial hardship. Despite educational qualifications, most participants were engaged in informal or stigmatized occupations. While participants demonstrated resilience and identity affirmation through grooming and leisure, systemic and societal barriers significantly restricted their occupational engagement. Conclusion: Transgender women in India face systemic challenges that hinder occupational participation due to exclusion and discrimination. Despite these barriers, they exhibit strong motivation and adaptability. Occupational therapists must adopt inclusive, gender-affirming, and justice-oriented approaches to support this marginalized group. The study advocates for culturally responsive interventions and inclusive policy frameworks to promote occupational justice.
Background: Mirror visual feedback (MVF) is a technique used in stroke patients’ rehabilitation to improve their motor recovery. Bilateral arm training (BAT) has emerged as an approach that leads to positive outcomes in addressing upper extremity paresis after stroke. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of visual priming with MVF on stroke patients’ ability to regain function. Study Design: This was a quasi-experimental study. Methods: Thirty patients (both males and females, aged 30–80 years) diagnosed with stroke having mild-to-moderate motor impairment based on Fugl-Meyer upper extremity scores between 18 and 55 were recruited in the study. Patients were selected based on convenient sampling. The experimental (mirror therapy + BAT) group ( n = 15) received bilateral task practice with MVF, whereas the control (BAT) group ( n = 15) received bilateral task practice without MVF. Intervention was delivered for 90 min a day, 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI), Motor Activity Log (MAL), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) were the outcome measures used. Results: The results indicate that both the experimental (mirror therapy + BAT) group and the control (BAT) group experienced significant improvements in most measured outcomes. For experimental (mirror therapy + BAT) group, FMA-UE ( P = 0.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −14.15, −6.90), CAHAI ( P = 0.001, 95% CI: −19.39, −6.60), MAL Amount of Use (AOU) ( P = 0.00, 95% CI: −1.69, −0.97), MAL Quality of Movement (QOM) ( P = 0.00, 95% CI: −1.41, −0.91), and SIS ( P = 0.00, 95% CI: −9.96, −7.36). For the control (BAT) group, FMA-UE ( P = 0.000, 95% CI: −14.15, −6.90), CAHAI ( P = 0.00, 95% CI: −19.39, −6.60), and MAL QOM ( P = 0.00, 95% CI: −1.14, −0.91) all showed significant improvements ( P < 0.05), indicating effective intervention. However, MAL AOU ( P = 0.111, 95% CI: −1.69, −0.97) did not show significant improvement, suggesting that while the control group (BAT) group improved overall, their perceived AOU of the affected limb did not change significantly. Mirror therapy in combination with BAT was found to be more effective compared to BAT alone. Conclusion: MVF appears to significantly enhance the efficacy of bilateral task practice in stroke patients, potentially offering a valuable tool for improving motor recovery. Trial registration: Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI), Registration Number (CTRI/2024/11/076332).
