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Introduction

Autistic persons experience problems with movements and body awareness in everyday functionality, expressed in affected movement quality. Yet, there is a knowledge gap about the effects of interventions targeting these aspects in autistic persons.ObjectiveTo evaluate effects of Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) and treatment-as-usual (TAU), compared to TAU alone on movement quality in autistic persons.

Methods

In this pragmatic RCT, autistic persons with no intellectual disorder, 15–30 years old and in contact with habilitation services, were randomized to an intervention group (IG) (n = 28, 22 females) or a control group (CG) (n = 29, 21 females). The IG received 12 sessions of individual BBAT and TAU, the CG received TAU. Primary outcome was a person-reported measure of an individualized movement quality problem, using a numeric rating scale (NRS). Secondary outcome was Body Awareness Scale Movement Quality (BAS MQ), i.e., scored physiotherapist observations. Between- and within-group analyses, and individual one-sided t-tests were performed.

Results

Comparing the between-group changes in NRS and BAS MQ after 12 weeks, the differences were statistically significant in favor of the IG (p < 0.001). Within-group analyses: the IG had statistically significant improvements on both outcomes (p < 0.001), the CG had not. Individually in the IG, 54 % of the participants improved significantly in NRS and 41 % in BAS MQ. In the CG, the corresponding numbers were 10 % and 7 %, respectively.

Conclusion

BBAT and TAU were superior to TAU alone for improving movement quality. BBAT is a relevant intervention for autistic young adults to improve everyday functionality.

The aim of this paper is two-fold: to investigate development of a Construct Specification Equation (CSE) for UL task difficulty, , and a CSE for person UL ability, , in support of the validity of these two constructs. Measurements of UL task difficulty, , and person UL ability, were derived from applying the Rasch model on the Tetraplegia Upper Limb Activity Questionnaire (TUAQ). The formulations of CSEs as explanations of the two constructs were done using Principal Component Regression (PCR). The CSE for UL task difficulty, , was to a large degree explained by the number of joints involved and the CSE for person UL ability, , was dominated by grasp-related variables. Pearson coefficients of 0.94 and 0.73 were obtained between UL task difficulty and UL person ability from the CSE, respectively, when correlated with each empirical measure. The present work has both explored and extended the methodology for using more qualitative explanatory variables. Specifically, for UL measurements for people with tetraplegia a good CSE for task difficulty, , supports the validity of TUAQ when measuring person UL ability. Additionally, the CSE formulated for person ability, , can be used both for validation purposes as well as a clinical tool.

There is an urgent need for a global shift toward more sustainable living. Electric vehicles contribute to this goal; however, the transition is challenging, particularly due to high purchase costs, which can be a particular hindrance for people with disabilities. Only a few individuals currently drive electric vehicles with necessary adaptations, and the insights and experiences of these early adopters can offer valuable knowledge. The aim of this study is to explore the motives and initial experiences of Swedish persons who drive electric vehicles with car adaptations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among nine people living with physical impairments who drove an electric car with adaptations. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The motives for shifting from fossil-fuel vehicles to electric vehicles included long-term economic benefits, environmental aspects, practical advantages, and interest in new technologies and cars. Interviewees generally found it easy to adapt to their new electric vehicles, although some needed to establish new routines for charging during long-distance trips. Participants highlighted functional advantages—such as remote heating, and spacious interiors—as particularly beneficial for their needs. Home charging was perceived as a major enabler of independent mobility, while limited accessibility at public charging stations and insufficient financial support posed challenges. Despite these barriers, the perceived benefits of electric vehicle ownership predominated. These findings highlight the need for inclusive infrastructure and revised policy frameworks to ensure that individuals with physical impairments can fully participate in the transition to fossil-free mobility.

Intelligence tests often play a vital role in selection processes across various domains, including those for basic military training. However, intelligence tests have also been criticized for being unfair and biased. The Swedish Enlistment Battery (SEB) serves as a tool for evaluating cognitive aptitude and is currently undergoing updates to ensure robust measurement properties and equity in selection for conscription. This article introduces a new addition to the SEB, termed the Paper Fold and Cut (PFC) test. The PFC test initially comprised 14 items intended to assess logical reasoning with visuospatial elements by presenting participants with images of folded and cut paper, requiring them to discern the correct outcome upon unfolding. Data was gathered from individuals (N = 1,262) undergoing testing for conscription (71% men, 91% aged 17–19 years, 15% voluntary and 12% with immigrant background). Employing Rasch analysis, when two misfitting items were removed the PFC test demonstrated sound measurement properties; acceptable fit statistics, support for unidimensional trait, absence of differential item functioning (DIF) and local dependence (LD), as well as adequate targeting and person separation index (PSI). Consequently, the PFC test emerges as a robust and unbiased tool for assessing logical ability among conscripts.

Purpose: To identify factors that contribute to the enhanced life of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Sweden.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study combined workshops (n = 38) and survey data (n = 243) from people living with SCI and their relatives, health professionals, and personal careassistants working with people living with SCI. The data were first categorized using Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model, followed by a conventional content analysis.

Results: The factors that contribute to an enhanced life for people living with SCI are similar to those of the general population, including relationships, leisure activities, and occupation within the mesosystem. However, the unique components of the exosystem and macrosystem are specifically associated with people living with SCI. The exosystem, particularly in healthcare, plays a major role for medical reasons but also tends to obtrude and minimize the mesosystem. The macrosystem is essential, as it sets the rules that govern the actors in the other layers, creating prerequisites for meeting the needs of the mesosystem and exosystem.

Conclusions: The needs that contribute to an enhanced life are multifaceted and individualized. Therefore, these systems must be flexible throughout the lifespan of individuals with SCI.

Background

Family sense of coherence (FSOC) seems to reduce distress in the family and promote the well-being of the family. Therefore, getting accurate measurements for families with long-term illnesses is of particular interest. This study explores dyadic data analysis from the dyadic- and single-informant perspectives, and the measurement properties of the FSOC-S12 according to the Rasch model.

Methods

Racked and stacked data from 151 dyads were analyzed according to the polytomous Rasch model.

Results

Notably, both the dyadic- and single-informant perspectives (i.e., racked and stacked data set-ups) showed measurement properties with minor deviations from the Rasch model according to fit statistics. However, most items had disordered thresholds and some problems with local dependency. Item hierarchies were similar in both set-ups and there was no differential item functioning (DIF) by role from the dyadic informant perspective. Four items showed DIF by informant role in the single-informant perspective.

Conclusions

Our approach to handling dyadic data has shown both strengths and limitations in the evaluation of FSOC-S12, and the understanding of FSOC as a construct from the family’s view of the family’s ability as a whole (dyadic-informant perspective) and patient’s and family member’s separate views of the family’s ability as a whole (single-informant perspective).

Background and Aim

To address knowledge gaps in safe patient handling and mobility methods (SPHMM) among rehabilitation professionals in Sweden, a national knowledge center, HMC, provides training on SPHMM. The study's aim was to report on outcomes at 3 months after training in terms of self-perceived competence in SPHMM and self-perceived utility of acquired competence in SPHMM.

Methods

Training participants (occupational therapists and physiotherapists) completed a study-specific questionnaire, with 1065 doing so at 3 weeks before the training and 389 at 3 months after training. Linear mixed models were used for analyses.

Results

Self-perceived competence improved significantly at 3 months after training (p < 0.001). Occupational therapists, specifically, and rehabilitation professionals generally with less clinical experience reported greater improvement compared to physiotherapists and those with longer experience (p < 0.001). Rehabilitation professionals overall with shorter clinical experience also reported higher self-perceived utility of the acquired SPHMM competence (p < 0.001), but occupational therapists and physiotherapists did not differ significantly (p = 0.369).

Conclusion

Among rehabilitation professionals, greater self-perceived competence and self-perceived utility of the acquired competence in SPHMM is possible after HMC training. Improvements were greater for those with shorter clinical experience. By enhancing competence among rehabilitation professionals, HMC training has the potential to advance working person-centered and efficient transfer practices in interdisciplinary care settings.

Objective: The aim of this report is to describe the aggregated insights and key findings from a Swedish need assessment project. The project comprised 3 parallel studies identifying [a] needs to be met, [b] research questions, and [c] knowledge translation gaps related to enhancing the lives of people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: The project included people living with SCI, their relatives, health professionals, and personal care assistants. Analyses were conducted with the aim of identifying commonalities and connections between the results of the 3 individual studies.

Results: The aggregated insights and key findings from this project can be summarized into 3 themes. First, a well-functioning healthcare, rehabilitation, and supporting system must have a holistic perspective on what it means to live with SCI. Second, aging is about living with the SCI and getting old with the SCI. Third, when family members receive their own support, they can provide good support to the person living with SCI.

Conclusion: New evidence from the Swedish needs assessment project reveals the needs that currently have the greatest impact on improving the lives of people with SCI, which can guide researchers, healthcare providers, and knowledge translators.

This chapter presents a metrological approach for measuring social sustainability aspects in municipalities: the aim is explicitly formulated in support of a much-needed extension of the SI units. The approach builds on rigorous conceptual definitions of the attributes to be measured, includes a focus on usability, and extends the recently developed model “man as measurement instrument”–including the application of probabilistic conjoint measurement theory–into social sustainability metrics in municipalities. In Section 11.2, the collaborative process of defining the constructs to be measured is described. This is followed by Section 11.3, which defines our measurement system and measurement model where the “municipality as measurement instrument” is introduced together with the unique metrological properties obtained. In Section 11.4, a testing procedure for theoretical expectations is presented, and we then further illustrate this approach based on a sustainability aspect–qualityof life–using data from the Swedish open database, Kolada, in Section 11.5. Finally, this chapter concludes with reflections, learning, and proposals for further methodological advancements. We encourage a collaborative process between end-users, social sustainability experts, and metrologists–for developing, testing, evaluating, andrevising fit-for-purpose metrics and, thus, enable more well-informed decisions in developing meaningful and effective policies.

Aim

This paper aims to report on two modifications made to improve the measurement precision of the Ms. Olsen test. Specifically, three items were added to the Ms. Olsen test and an extended scoring was applied to some items.

Design

The competence assessment had a quantitative cross-sectional design comprising of test results from 111 Registered Nurses in four municipalities in South-Eastern Norway.

Methods

The Rasch model was applied to evaluate the measurement properties in four versions: the Ms. Olsen test with 19 items and the same with three added items, and the Ms. Olsen test with 19 items with an expanded scoring for the original and expanded version, respectively.

Results

The person separation indexes were improved from 0.50 to 0.62. Other measurement properties were not alternating between the four versions; all had shortcomings in terms of targeting (person measure means 3.02–3.87) and unidimensionality (% t-test >5% 9.01%–13.51%).

Conclusion

The clinical relevance and relatively short time spent on testing makes the Ms. Olsen test a reasonable choice and a step in the right direction for assessing competence as a means of targeting continuous professional development of nurses throughout their career. Nevertheless, depending on what kind of decisions are to be made, reliability might still be too low and further development is suggested.

Public Contribution

The initiative for the competence assessment came from nursing leaders in the four municipalities involved. The municipalities were represented in all stages of the research process through co-author LS, that is, design, data collection, data analysis, writing of the manuscript as well as dissemination of the results to the four municipalities.

Implications for Practice

The Ms. Olsen test exemplifies a move towards objective assessments in nursing. Precise and reliable measurements are essential to support the ongoing professional development of nurses.