Üsküdar University Institute of Health Sciences conducted a thesis defense titled “Innovation in International Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices.” Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova, Head of the Occupational Therapy Department at the Institute of Health Sciences, students from the Occupational Therapy Department presented their thesis defenses in an open session. Asqarova, stating that they achieved a first in Turkey, said, “We worked with academics who developed three scales in America, and with their permission, we ensured the validity and reliability of the occupational therapy scales used in America in our country. Now, occupational therapists in Turkey will also be able to use these scales.”
The open thesis session held at the Hippocrates Conference Hall of Üsküdar University NP Health Campus attracted great interest. Prominent figures also served as jury members for the sessions.
Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova: “Now, occupational therapists in Turkey will also be able to use these scales”
Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova, Head of the Occupational Therapy Department at Üsküdar University Institute of Health Sciences, who delivered the opening remarks of the program, stated that they achieved a first by going beyond the routine thesis defense examination. Asqarova said; “A thesis defense is taking place in an open session format at our university. Regarding the topic, we worked with academics who developed three scales in America, and with their permission, we ensured the validity and reliability of the occupational therapy scales used in America. Now, occupational therapists in Turkey will also be able to use these scales.”
Following the opening speech, thesis defenses commenced.
Erg. Zeynep Özdemir: “Boys' motor planning skills are weaker compared to girls'”
Erg. Zeynep Özdemir, who presented her thesis titled “Validity and Reliability of the Motor Planning Maze Test (MAZE) in Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices,” drew attention to the limited number of tests measuring motor planning skills. Özdemir said; “Our study includes validity and reliability analyses of tests used to detect children's motor planning difficulties and measure these skills. The results we obtained showed that boys' motor planning skills are weaker compared to girls'. This indicates that they may need more support.”
Erg. Mustafa Sağlıyan: “In addition to motor planning, it is also important to evaluate children's general skills”
Erg. Mustafa Sağlıyan, who presented his thesis titled “Validity and Reliability of the Ideational Praxis Test (TIP) in Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices,” emphasized that motor planning alone is not sufficient and highlighted the importance of cultural adaptation. Sağlıyan said; “We conducted a study to ensure the cultural adaptation of a test developed in America to Turkey. In addition to motor planning, it is also important to evaluate children's general skills. In this context, ideation, which is the process of understanding how an object can be used in different ways, has great clinical importance. In our thesis, we examined the Turkish validity and reliability of this test.”
Erg. Zeynep Ender: “Tests measuring sensory functions are of critical importance”
Erg. Zeynep Ender, who presented her thesis titled “Discriminative Validity of the Ayres Sensory Integration Assessment Test (EASI) in Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices,” emphasized the importance of sensory functions in occupational therapy. Ender said; “The primary goal of occupational therapists is to support individuals' daily living skills and increase their participation. However, to perform effective intervention, comprehensive assessments must first be conducted. Our study highlights the importance of tests that measure sensory functions. The American Occupational Therapy Association also emphasizes that interventions should not be performed on children with sensory integration difficulties without applying standard tests.”
The open session thesis defenses were well-received by academics, students, and participants.
In this way, Üsküdar University Occupational Therapy Department students added a different dimension to their master's thesis defenses.