Survivors of Sex Trafficking: Occupation-Based Interventions for Executive Functioning
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Psychiatric, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 19 - Any |
| Updated: | 8/5/2018 |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2016 |
| End Date: | April 30, 2017 |
Persons traumatized through sex trafficking can demonstrate similar neurobehavioral and
executive function (EF) deficits as persons with cortical injuries. In this pilot study,
occupation-based activity (OBA) programming was implemented at a residence for females who
had been trafficked. The study hypothesis was that OBA would facilitate development of EF
skills in these clients, enabling more successful occupational performance. Method: Eight
women engaged in OBA sessions over the course of eight months. Session objectives were to
maximize independence in daily life skills and to foster EF component skills such as
problem-solving, decision-making, cooperation, direction following and appropriate
self-expression. Outcome measures used were the Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT),
the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the Occupational Therapy Task
Observation Scale (OTTOS). Results: Gains were seen from baseline to final session in COPM
score changes meeting minimally clinical difference, and OTTOS scores showing significant
improvement: t(7)= -2.49, p=.04. Preliminary findings suggest that occupation-based
programming may facilitate development of EF skills in sex-trafficked women.
executive function (EF) deficits as persons with cortical injuries. In this pilot study,
occupation-based activity (OBA) programming was implemented at a residence for females who
had been trafficked. The study hypothesis was that OBA would facilitate development of EF
skills in these clients, enabling more successful occupational performance. Method: Eight
women engaged in OBA sessions over the course of eight months. Session objectives were to
maximize independence in daily life skills and to foster EF component skills such as
problem-solving, decision-making, cooperation, direction following and appropriate
self-expression. Outcome measures used were the Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT),
the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the Occupational Therapy Task
Observation Scale (OTTOS). Results: Gains were seen from baseline to final session in COPM
score changes meeting minimally clinical difference, and OTTOS scores showing significant
improvement: t(7)= -2.49, p=.04. Preliminary findings suggest that occupation-based
programming may facilitate development of EF skills in sex-trafficked women.
Individuals who are sex-trafficked experience a combination of sexual violence, emotional
trauma, and physical injuries that lead to high rates of depression, anxiety and post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Prolonged stress and adverse learning experiences can also
cause use-dependent brain changes that influence executive functioning (EF) development.
Other distressing situations, such as living in poverty or in dangerous environments and
experiencing early sexual trauma, can result in interrupted development of executive
functioning skills Although the current OT literature in the area of human and sex
trafficking provide recommendations regarding areas of advocacy, education and
occupation-based interventions, there is no empirical evidence to date investigating the
efficacy of occupation-based interventions with survivors of sex trafficking (SST). The
research question addressed in this pilot study was whether occupation-based interventions
would improve the overall occupational performance of SST living in a residential program.
Therefore, the purpose was to objectively determine the efficacy of occupation-based activity
to improve EF skills in SST; the researchers expected that an improvement in EF skills would
translate to improved occupational performance.
This pilot study used a one-group, pretest-posttest design. Participants in the study were
residents of a local residential program for survivors of sex trafficking (SST). Eight women,
average age, 20 to 50 years who were living in the home during the eight-month project
period, engaged in the occupation-based intervention groups provided and completed assessment
outcome measures (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and the Executive Function
Performance Test) before and after completing the program. Group behavior was scored at each
session attended with the Occupational Therapy Task Observation Scale (OTTOS). Group sessions
consisted of specific tasks performed to completion that emphasized problem-solving,
decision-making, frustration tolerance and cooperation.
Current performance level rating and performance satisfaction scores from the COPM, as well
as scores from each area of the EFPT, were collected upon initial evaluation and at the end
of the eight-month intervention period. OTTOS scores were recorded during each group
intervention for individual clients and graphically recorded to demonstrate individual
changes over time; day one OTTOS scores were compared to the OTTOS score of the final
intervention. All comparisons were completed using two-tailed, paired t-tests with a .05
alpha level for significance.
trauma, and physical injuries that lead to high rates of depression, anxiety and post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Prolonged stress and adverse learning experiences can also
cause use-dependent brain changes that influence executive functioning (EF) development.
Other distressing situations, such as living in poverty or in dangerous environments and
experiencing early sexual trauma, can result in interrupted development of executive
functioning skills Although the current OT literature in the area of human and sex
trafficking provide recommendations regarding areas of advocacy, education and
occupation-based interventions, there is no empirical evidence to date investigating the
efficacy of occupation-based interventions with survivors of sex trafficking (SST). The
research question addressed in this pilot study was whether occupation-based interventions
would improve the overall occupational performance of SST living in a residential program.
Therefore, the purpose was to objectively determine the efficacy of occupation-based activity
to improve EF skills in SST; the researchers expected that an improvement in EF skills would
translate to improved occupational performance.
This pilot study used a one-group, pretest-posttest design. Participants in the study were
residents of a local residential program for survivors of sex trafficking (SST). Eight women,
average age, 20 to 50 years who were living in the home during the eight-month project
period, engaged in the occupation-based intervention groups provided and completed assessment
outcome measures (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and the Executive Function
Performance Test) before and after completing the program. Group behavior was scored at each
session attended with the Occupational Therapy Task Observation Scale (OTTOS). Group sessions
consisted of specific tasks performed to completion that emphasized problem-solving,
decision-making, frustration tolerance and cooperation.
Current performance level rating and performance satisfaction scores from the COPM, as well
as scores from each area of the EFPT, were collected upon initial evaluation and at the end
of the eight-month intervention period. OTTOS scores were recorded during each group
intervention for individual clients and graphically recorded to demonstrate individual
changes over time; day one OTTOS scores were compared to the OTTOS score of the final
intervention. All comparisons were completed using two-tailed, paired t-tests with a .05
alpha level for significance.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participant had to be a resident of the performance site and have a history of being
sex-trafficked.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants were not enrolled if behavioral issues prevented participation or
impacted the safety of others as determined by resident directors
We found this trial at
1
site
Click here to add this to my saved trials
