1.Reframing Services for Malaysian Students in Schools: Time to Bring Occupational Therapy into the Classroom
Masne Kadar ; Nor Afifi Razaob ; Hany Naziha Mohd Saibani ; Chai Siaw Chui ; Noorashikin Samin
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2017;15(1):67-73
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability that has gained increasing attention in Malaysia. Much effort is now being taken to include children with autism spectrum disorder in the school system, either in inclusive settings or in special educational settings. However, this endeavor raises many challenges for the children with autism spectrum disorder, their families and for service providers. The current study uses a qualitative approach to investigate parents’ perceptions of problems faced by their children with autism spectrum disorder in issues related to academic skills. A face-to-face interview was performed with parents of children with autism spectrum disorders who were receiving occupational therapy services for their difficulties in academic related skills. Findings indicate that most of the difficulties faced by these children are related to skills needed to be accepted at school, such as ability to communicate and socialize and this often limit their performance at school. These findings not only raise and discuss important implications for service providers such as teachers, health care professionals and policy makers, but also lead to suggestions for future research.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
2.Does Neurophobia Exist Among Rehabilitation Sciences Students? A Survey At Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Nor Azlin Mohd Nordin ; Nur Amirah ISHAK ; Nur Azura AZMI ; Chai Siaw CHUI ; Fatimah Hani HASSAN
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2018;16(Special Issue (Article)):203-209
Neurophobia, defined as ‘the fear of neural sciences and neurology’ is reported among medical students, which threatenedtheir performance in neurology course. This phenomenon has not been studied among rehabilitation sciences studentsdespite the significance of neurology as an area for rehabilitation. In this study we aim to assess the perceptions of neurologycourse and the possibility of neurophobia existence among rehabilitation sciences students of Universiti KebangsaanMalaysia (UKM). We also aimed to identify learning methods which are regarded as useful among the students. A surveyusing self-administered questionnaires was conducted among 73 students from School of Rehabilitation Sciences of theuniversity. Questions in the questionnaire were adapted from previous studies, in which neurophobia was indicated by poorknowledge and low confidence level in managing neurology course. Results showed that the percentage of participantswho perceived having good knowledge of neurology was significantly higher than the percentage who claimed of havingpoor knowledge level (90.4% versus 9.6%, p < 0.01). Similarly, the percentage of participants who claimed having highconfidence to handle neurology cases was higher than the percentage who expressed lack of confidence (79.2% versus20.8%, p = 0.03). However, neurology course was perceived as difficult by majority of the participants (78.1%) whencompared to other courses. Majority of the participants (97.3%) perceived clinical teaching as a useful method of learningrehabilitation science courses including neurology followed by problem-based learning (90.4%). While limited exposureto neurology cases was claimed as the main reason to why neurology is difficult. In conclusion, although neurology isperceived as a difficult course among rehabilitation sciences students, the students did not report lack of knowledge andconfidence in the course. This implies that neurophobia does not exist among UKM rehabilitation students. Enhancementof learning methods may assist in reducing the level of difficulty of neurology course among the students.
3.Functionality among stroke survivors with upper limb impairment attending community-based rehabilitation
Noor Hazilah Omar ; Nor Azlin Mohd Nordin ; Chai Siaw Chui ; Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(2):146-151
Introduction: There is scarcity of research information on
upper limb (UL) functionality among Malaysian post-stroke
population despite the increasing number of stroke
survivors. This study intends to evaluate functionality
among stroke survivors residing in the community, with a
specific focus on the UL.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 65 stroke
survivors with UL dysfunction (mean (SD) age = 64.83 (8.05)
years, mean (SD) post-stroke duration 41.62 (35.24) months)
who attended community-based rehabilitation program.
Upper limb functionality was assessed using the UL items of
Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL), the Lawton
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale and the
Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). The stroke
survivors’ performance in completing JTHFT using their
affected dominant hand was compared with standard norms.
Results: The three most affected UL daily living tasks were
writing (64.7%, n=42), opening a jar (63.1%, n=41) and
putting on socks (58.5%, n=38). As for IADL, the mean (SD)
score of Lawton scale was 3.26 (2.41), with more than 50%
unable to handle finance, do the laundry and prepare meals
for themselves. Performances of stroke survivors were
much slower than normal population in all tasks of JTHFT
(p<0.05), with largest speed difference demonstrated for
‘stacking objects’ task (mean difference 43.24 secs (p=0.003)
and 24.57 (p<0.001) in males and females, respectively.
Conclusion: UL functions are significantly impaired among
stroke survivors despite undergoing rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation professionals should prioritize highly
problematic tasks when retraining UL for greater post-stroke
functionality
4.Adaptation, Validation and Reliability Testing of Sensory Processing Measure Home Form Malay version for Children with Autism (Adaptasi, Kesahan dan Kebolehpercayaan Borang Sensory Processing Measure Home Form versi Bahasa Melayu untuk Digunakan terhadap Kanak-kanak dengan Autisme)
Noor Mukminin Ahmad ; Masne Kadar ; Chai Siaw Chui ; Hanif Farhan Mohd Rasdi ; Nor Afifi Razaob@Razab ; Dzalani Harun
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2020;18(No.1):37-45
Inappropriate responses towards sensory input received from the environment, also known as sensory processing difficulties (SPD) may affect daily living activities of the children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Sensory Processing Measure Home Form (SPM Home Form) as a parent report measure for SPD is available in English and other foreign languages. To enhance the applicability and meaningfulness of SPM Home Form for the Malay speaking population, a study that focuses on translating, adapting, and validating the SPM Home Form into the Malay language was conducted. The development of the Malay version of the SPM Home Form (SPM-MV Home Form) involved three steps: 1) Item evaluation, 2) Forward and backward translation, and 3) Expert review and content validity. The process of translation and adaptation of the form was performed according to standard guidelines. No item was excluded from the original SPM Home Form as all the items were considered by the expert panel as appropriate and relevance to evaluate the activity and social participation among children in Malaysia. Content validity as measured by 10 experts in occupational therapy is high. The mean of sub-scales I-CVI is between 0.96 and 1.00. The total S-CVI of the form is 0.95 with sub-scales S-CVI range between 0.82 and 1.00. Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency was reported at 0.80 and ICC for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.80 to 0.97. The SPM-MV Home Form has high potential to be used for assessing SPD among children ages 5-12 years in Malaysia.
5.Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Performance Assessment of Self-care Skills among Older People in Community (Adaptasi Budaya dan Kesahan Penilaian Prestasi Kemahiran Penjagaan Diri dalam Kalangan Warga Emas di Komuniti)
SITI NORAINI ASMURI ; MASNE KADAR ; NOR AFIFI RAZAOB ; CHAI SIAW CHUI ; HANIF FARHAN MOHD RASDI ; NUR SYAHIRA ATIQAH ARIFIN
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2021;19(No.2):128-138
The Performance Assessment of Self-care Skills (PASS-Home) is a client-centered, performance-based, criterionreference, observational form designed to capture client’s performance skills in completing daily task activities. The aim
of the study was to describe the process of translating, adapting and validating the PASS-Home from English language
version into a Malay language version. The development of the translated Malay version of the PASS-Home consisted of
two stages. Stage one involved the exclusion of the items that were not culturally relevant to the Malaysian culture. Stage
two involved the translation process. The five steps of the cross-cultural adaptation process were followed: (1) initial
forward version; (2) a summary of recommendations by the expert panels; (3) the back-translation; (4) modifications of
the translated Malay version of PASS and a summary of problems found during the pre-testing, and (5) the final version
of the PASS Malay Version (M-PASS). A total of five items from the PASS-Home were omitted in the Malay version (M-PASS)
and another five items that were considered as suitable in Malaysian context were added in the M-PASS. The Content
Validation Index (CVI) showed perfect agreement with an average of I-CVI was reported at 0.99 and S-CVI/universal
agreement (S-CVI/UA) was at 0.93. Test-retest reliabilty showed that the M-PASS were highly reliable reported of its
three main constructs of Independence (ICC=0.706), Safety (ICC=0.906) and Adequacy (ICC=0.950). M-PASS showed
strong evidence as a valid and reliable assessment in evaluating the functional level of older people who live independently
in community.
6.Self-Care Skills between Institutionalised and Home Dwelling Older Adults: A Preliminary Study Kajian Rintis Kemahiran Penjagaan Diri Warga Tua di antara institusi dan rumah kediaman.
NOR AFIFI RAZAOB ; MASNE KADAR ; HANIF FARHAN MOHD RASHDI ; FARAHIYAH WAN YUNUS ; NOR AZWANI MOHAMED BUKHORI ; THAM SI YAN ; CHAI SIAW CHUI
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2021;19(No.2):134-140
Self-care is defined as activities performed by individuals, families, and communities to enhance their health, prevent
diseases, limit illnesses, and restore health. Previous research has mainly focused on self-care skills of older adults in
either institution or residential homes separately but limited studies have compared between both these settings. This
study aimed to compare the self-care skills between institutionalised and home dwelling older adults at selected area in
Malaysia. A total of 43 participants aged 60 years old and above were recruited in our study; (23 participants were
home-dwelled older adults and 19 participants were recruited from institutionalised older adults located in Kuala
Lumpur). The Malay Version of Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills (M-PASS-HOME) 4.0 was used focusing on
four main subtests of self-skills; oral hygiene, trimming toenails, house mobility and shower mobility. The differences in
self-care skills between institutionalised and home dwelling older adults are statistically significant (p<0.01) in the
aspects of independency for all self-care activities. The results of this study revealed that home dwelling older adults
group are more independent in self-care activities of oral hygiene, trimming toenails, house mobility and shower mobility
compared to institutionalised group.