The "3rd Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices" scientific program was organized by Üsküdar University Institute of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Master's Program and Music Therapy Application and Research Center (MÜTEM). Expert occupational therapists attended the program, which was led by Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova, Head of the Occupational Therapy Department.
Erg. Özlem Yalçın, Erg. Zeynep Özdemir, Erg. Mustafa Sağlıyan, Erg. Alin Zekiye Tüz, Erg. Menekşe Yüksel, Erg. Serap Yiğit and Erg. Emre Erdoğan participated in the online program.
Erg. Özlem Yalçın: “Occupational therapists should play an active role in women's treatment”
Erg. Özlem Yalçın, who gave a presentation titled “Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices in Women's Health,” stated: “Evidence-based occupational therapy practices in women's health are generally a sub-specialty of occupational therapy that includes non-surgical approaches specially planned and applied for various health problems that may occur in women. Occupational therapists working in women's health should conduct evaluations throughout women's life stages, play an active role in women's therapy, guide occupational therapy students, collaborate with health professionals, educate the community on this issue, and encourage research initiatives in this area.”
Erg. Mustafa Sağlıyan: “Ideation is, in a way, the integration of sensory inputs”
Erg. Mustafa Sağlıyan, who gave his presentation titled “Ideational Praxis in Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy,” stated: “Ideational Praxis has been defined as a concept that includes the idea, planning, and execution of a motor action. Similarly, ideation has also been viewed as a cognitive function dependent on the integration of sensory inputs and the knowledge of the outcomes of possible body movements.”
Erg. Zeynep Özdemir: “As a result of these tests, the cause of difficulties experienced in daily life can be identified”
In her presentation titled “Tests in Evidence-Based Practices: EASI and SIPT,” Erg. Zeynep Özdemir stated: “Before starting occupational therapist intervention, the therapist should evaluate their client in detail. These two tests assess the child's sensory systems (vision, hearing, vestibular, proprioception, tactile) and sub-skills related to sensory systems (pattern copying, construction, position imitation, ideation, bilateral coordination, sequencing, etc.). A graph is obtained from the test results, and the child's performance can be compared with normative values for their age group. This way, the cause of difficulties experienced in daily life can be identified, and an intervention plan can be developed based on the results.”
Erg. Alin Zekiye Tüz: “Plays an active role in the process of homeless individuals re-establishing their independent lives”
Erg. Alin Zekiye Tüz, who gave her presentation titled “Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices in Homeless Individuals,” said: “The phenomenon of homelessness has always existed throughout history. Homelessness is a problem affecting individuals both locally and globally. Occupational therapists play an active role in the process of homeless individuals re-establishing their independent lives by facilitating their reintegration into society, helping individuals who have lost their profession to gain new skills, and targeting participation in affected daily living activities and social skills.”
Erg. Menekşe Yüksel: “Not addressing sexual activity can jeopardize occupational therapy interventions”
Erg. Menekşe Yüksel, who gave her presentation titled “The Place and Importance of Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices in Sexual Health,” stated: “Occupational therapists can help both children and adults overcome functional limitations and difficulties experienced in sexual health. In children, occupational therapists support the development of sexual identity and functions, helping children recognize their bodies, increase their self-confidence, and experience a healthy awareness process regarding sexuality. Similarly, in adults, occupational therapists guide them with a multidisciplinary approach to cope with problems such as sexual dysfunction, chronic pain, or physical disabilities, access correct information about sexual health, and improve their sexual lives.”
Erg. Serap Yiğit: “Treatment is planned according to the patient's condition”
In her presentation titled “Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices in Hemiplegic Individuals,” Erg. Serap Yiğit said: “Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practices in hemiplegia begin with the evaluation of mental status functions, speech and language, cranial nerve function disorders, motor and sensory impairments, balance-coordination, or posture problems in hemiplegic individuals. Based on the evaluation results, the most suitable therapy, such as mirror therapy, virtual reality, robotic rehabilitation, and the Bobath technique, is selected, and occupational therapy intervention begins.”
Erg. Emre Erdoğan: “We aim to maximize individuals' quality of life”
Erg. Emre Erdoğan, who gave his presentation titled “Occupational Therapy Practices in Individuals with Brugada Syndrome,” said: “Occupational therapists play important roles and duties in individuals with cardiopulmonary disorders by supporting daily living activities, improving their quality of life and environmental participation, providing social and psychological support, increasing individuals' occupational participation, and also supporting cognitive skills. They also provide support in vocational rehabilitation to facilitate individuals' return to work.”
Presentations Evaluated in Detail
Following the conclusion of the presentations, Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova, Head of the Occupational Therapy Department at Üsküdar University Institute of Health Sciences, evaluated the presentations in detail with the occupational therapists.