Occupational Therapy for Domestic Violence

(IPV Trial)

Overseen By Heather Javaherian, OTD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Loma Linda University

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 4 weeks

25 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the effectiveness of an occupational therapy program for individuals living in domestic violence shelters. Participants engage in eight therapy sessions focused on enhancing health and coping skills, such as sleep hygiene, mindfulness, and self-esteem. They will also complete questionnaires about their lifestyle and well-being before and after the sessions. This trial may suit adults currently receiving services from a domestic violence organization. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to valuable research that could improve support services in domestic violence shelters.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications, so it's best to ask the study organizers for clarification.

What prior data suggests that this occupational therapy program is safe for participants?

Research has shown that occupational therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated for individuals who have experienced domestic violence. Studies indicate that these therapies can improve coping skills and boost self-esteem. Activities such as journaling and mindfulness typically do not cause negative effects.

Evidence from similar programs suggests that participants often notice positive changes in their health and well-being. The therapy focuses on building practical skills, such as managing stress and setting goals, which are safe to practice.

As this is not a drug trial, there are no concerns about medication side effects. Occupational therapy is non-invasive, involving neither surgery nor drugs, and is widely used in various settings, suggesting it is safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the "Health and Coping Skills" treatment for domestic violence survivors because it offers a holistic approach that isn't typically found in existing therapies. Unlike standard treatments that might focus on counseling or medication alone, this approach incorporates occupational therapy to promote lifestyle changes through education on sleep hygiene, physical activity, healthy cooking, and other essential skills. By empowering individuals with practical skills for self-management, mindfulness, and goal setting, this treatment aims to foster resilience and improve overall well-being, making it a promising and comprehensive alternative to more traditional methods.

What evidence suggests that this occupational therapy program is effective for domestic violence survivors?

Research shows that survivors of domestic violence often struggle with everyday activities, such as work and health care. Studies have found that occupational therapy can improve the ability to perform these daily tasks. Additionally, learning coping strategies has been linked to fewer incidents of domestic violence. A review found that skill-based programs can assist victims of intimate partner violence with everyday tasks. Overall, these findings suggest that a program focused on health and coping skills, like the one in this trial, could help survivors manage their daily lives more effectively and possibly reduce violence. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Heather Javaherian, OTD

Principal Investigator

Loma Linda University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults who have experienced intimate partner violence and are staying in a domestic violence shelter. Participants will engage in an occupational therapy program to assess its effectiveness on their well-being.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 or older and getting help from a domestic violence group.

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Pretest

Participants complete pretests involving lifestyle assessments and a coping scale

1 week

Treatment

Participants engage in 8 occupational therapy sessions over 4 weeks, including activities such as journaling, positive self-talk, coping skills methods, and grounding exercises

4 weeks

8 visits (in-person)

Posttest

Participants complete posttests to assess improvement in health, well-being, and daily activities

1 week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for improvement in healthy lifestyle, quality of life, and coping skills

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Health and coping skills

Trial Overview The study tests the impact of an occupational therapy program, including activities like journaling and coping skills exercises, over a period of 6 weeks with pretests and posttests assessing lifestyle and coping.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Health and coping skills Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will complete an 8-item occupational therapy lifestyle medicine checklist at each session. The subjects will participate in eight sessions receiving education on health topics of sleep hygiene, physical activity, healthy cooking, self-management, coping skills, self-esteem, mindfulness, and goal setting.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Loma Linda University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

322

Recruited

267,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10913349/

Exploring the Relationships Between Rehabilitation and ... Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health crisis affecting one in three women and one in ten men in their lifetimes.

2. research.aota.org research.aota.org/ajot/article-pdf/71/Supplement_2/7112410037p1/68663/7112410037p1.pdf

Occupational Therapy Services for Individuals Who Have ... Research indicates that survivors of domestic violence may struggle when performing daily occupa- tions, particularly work performance, health management, ...

3. digitalcommons.unmc.edu digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cahp_ot_sysrev/8/

"Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions to ... The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention for improving occupational performance for ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9480941/

A survey of coping strategies and resilience in women ... The use of coping strategies leads to a reduction in domestic violence against women during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Therefore, designing and ...

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/268407526_The_Effectiveness_of_Skill-Based_Intervention_for_Female_Victims_of_Intimate_Partner_Violence_A_Critical_Review

The Effectiveness of Skill-Based Intervention for Female ... Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is associated with limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADL). This paper critically reviews the ...

6. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15248380241231604

Health and Wellness Outcomes of Intimate Partner ... This narrative literature review sought to explore what is known about the health, wellness, and coping strategies of IPV workers in diverse settings.

7. symposium.otaconline.org symposium.otaconline.org/index.php/download_file/174/0

Domestic Violence and its Impact on Health ▫~40% of California women experience physical IPV in their lifetimes. ▫ Women 18-24 years, 11% more likely to be.