Research Article
Issue Date: September/October 2019
Published Online: August 23, 2019
Updated: April 30, 2020
Pilot Study of Let’s Get Organized: A Group Intervention for Improving Time Management
Marie Holmefur; Kajsa Lidström-Holmqvist; Afsaneh Hayat Roshanay; Patrik Arvidsson; Suzanne White; Gunnel Janeslätt
Author Affiliations
  • Marie Holmefur, PhD, Reg. OT, is Professor, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; marie.holmefur@oru.se
  • Kajsa Lidström-Holmqvist, PhD, Reg. OT, is Research Supervisor, University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
  • Afsaneh Hayat Roshanay, PhD, is Clinical Psychologist, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Disability and Habilitation, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Patrik Arvidsson, PhD, is Lecturer and Researcher, CHILD, Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden, and Clinical Psychologist and Researcher, Centre for Research and Development, Uppsala University/Region Gävleborg, Gävle, Sweden.
  • Suzanne White, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Clinical Associate Professor, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn.
  • Gunnel Janeslätt, PhD, Reg. OT, MSc, is Researcher, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Disability and Habilitation, and Researcher, Centre for Clinical Research Dalarna, Uppsala University, Falun, Sweden.
Article Information
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder / Mental Health / Research Articles
Research Article   |   August 23, 2019
Pilot Study of Let’s Get Organized: A Group Intervention for Improving Time Management
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, August 2019, Vol. 73, 7305205020. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.032631
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, August 2019, Vol. 73, 7305205020. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.032631
Abstract

Importance: There is a need for evidence-based occupational therapy interventions to enhance time management in people with time management difficulties.

Objective: To pilot test the first part of the Let’s Get Organized (LGO) occupational therapy intervention in a Swedish context by exploring enhancements of time management skills, aspects of executive functioning, and satisfaction with daily occupations in people with time management difficulties because of neurodevelopmental or mental disorders.

Design: One-group pretest–posttest design with 3-mo follow-up.

Setting: Outpatient psychiatric and habilitation settings.

Participants: Fifty-five people with confirmed or suspected mental or neurodevelopmental disorder and self-reported difficulties with time management in daily life.

Intervention: Swedish version of Let’s Get Organized (LGO–S) Part 1, with structured training in the use of cognitive assistive techniques and strategies using trial-and-error learning strategies in 10 weekly group sessions of 1.5 hr.

Outcomes and Measures: Time management, organization and planning, and emotional regulation were measured with the Swedish version of the Assessment of Time Management Skills (ATMS–S). Executive functioning was measured with the Swedish version of the Weekly Calendar Planning Activity, and satisfaction with daily occupations was assessed with the Satisfaction With Daily Occupations measure.

Results: Participants displayed significantly improved time management, organization and planning skills, and emotional regulation, as well as satisfaction with daily occupations. Aspects of executive functioning were partly improved. ATMS–S results were sustained at 3-mo follow-up.

Conclusion and Relevance: LGO–S Part 1 is a promising intervention for improving time management skills and satisfaction with daily occupations and should be investigated further.

What This Article Adds: This study shows that LGO–S Part 1 is feasible for use in psychiatric and habilitation outpatient services. The results are promising for improved time management skills, organization and planning skills, and satisfaction with daily occupations and need to be confirmed in further studies.