Staff Profiles

My teaching revolves around management of complex disability and neurological conditions, occupational therapy theory and practice, research  methods and design.  I am particularly interested in the application of simulation practice in clinical education.

Modules taught

I teach on core Occupational Therapy modules for both BSc and MSc programmes and module lead the MSc Dissertation project module and Collaborative practice in health and social care. 

Supervision

I supervise MSc  and BSc students in the development of research proposals and literature reviews for dissertations.

 I am currently studying for a PhD. My research interests include impact of fatigue after acquired brain injury, social participation and the use of technology within rehabilitation.

 

Research group membership

I am part of MOReS (Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences) and affiliated with Oxford Institute of Midwifery, Nursing and Allied Health Research (OXiNMAHR).

Research projects

My current research project is centred around "in the moment" assessment of fatigue after acquired brain injury (ABI) and the potential of wearable devices and SMART phone applications to support assessments and intervention planning. I am currently conducting a study involving Occupational Therapists and brain injury survivors to assist in the design and testing of a smart fatigue assessment.

This study is informed by a qualitative study which explored the experience of ABI survivors (and their carers or family  members) of fatigue after brain injury.

I completed a systematic review of factors affecting participation after stroke .

Further information

Leisle Ezekel Researchgate profile

Journal articles

• Ezekiel L, Field L, Collett J, Dawes H, Boulton M, 'Experiences of fatigue in daily life of people with acquired brain injury; a qualitative study.'
  Disability and Rehabilitation 43 (20) (2020) pp.2866-2874
  ISSN: 0963-8288 eISSN: 1464-5165
  Abstract

  Purpose. To develop an in-depth understanding of how survivors of acquired brain injury (ABI) experience fatigue and how fatigue affects everyday life.
  Materials and methods. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 16 adults with ABI fatigue, recruited from support groups in south east UK. Interviews were analysed using the frameworks method. 
  Results. We developed four themes: experiencing fatigue in the context of everyday activities, struggling to make sense of fatigue, coping with fatigue, adjusting social participation in the context of fatigue. Fatigue was comprised of mental, physical, generalised and motivational fatigue. Balancing fatigue against participation in daily activities was influenced by coping strategies and social support. Opportunities to socialize or participate in meaningful activities provided incentives for participants to push through their fatigue.
  Conclusions. This study highlights complex interactions that potentially mitigate the impact of fatigue on everyday life.  Educational and self-management approaches to fatigue need to account for different types of fatigue in the contexts of an individual’s daily activity. Assessment of fatigue should capture in- the- moment experiences of different types of fatigue and activity. Social support and participation in meaningful activities may help individuals to break the negative cycle of fatigue and inactivity. 
  

  Website 
• Ezekiel L, Collett J, Dawes H, Mayo NE, Pang L, FIeld L., 'Factors associated with participation in life situations for adults with stroke: a systematic review.'
  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 100 (5) (2018) pp.945-955
  ISSN: 0003-9993 eISSN: 1532-821X
  Abstract Objectives: To identify biopsychosocial factors associated with participation outcomes for adults with stroke and to investigate factors associated with participation at different time points post stroke. Data sources: Medline, CINAHL, AMED, PyschINFO and Web of Science were systematically searched using key words “stroke”, “participation” and “outcomes” and their synonyms on 15th May 2017. Study selection: Observational studies reporting on biopsychosocial factors and participation outcomes for community dwelling adults with stroke were selected. Studies were eligible for inclusion if participation outcomes were measured using indices that mapped to the participation domain of the ICF. Intervention studies were excluded. A second reviewer checked all studies against eligibility criteria at each stage. Data extraction: Data were extracted on any statistically determined association between biopsychosocial factors and participation outcomes. Data synthesis: The proportion of studies reporting significant associations with variables were classified according to the ICF. The exact binomial test was used to determine the probability that the proportion of studies reporting significant associations was due to chance alone. Qualitative descriptive summaries of each study allowed consideration of interactions between variables and changes in participation over time points. Conclusions: Whilst depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning and mobility were found to have the strongest associations with participation, we found that other frequently occurring factors (such as fatigue and environmental factors) were less extensively considered. The diversity of outcome measures encountered within the review highlight the need for a consensus on a core set of outcome measures to evaluate long term participation in life situations after stroke.Website 

Book chapters

• Ezekiel L, Feaver S, 'Application of theoretical approaches to movement and cognitive perceptual dysfunction within occupation focused practice.' in Duncan E (ed.), Foundations for Practice in Occupational Therapy, Elsevier (2020)
  ISBN: 9780702054471 eISBN: 9780702077517
  Abstract

  Movement, cognitive and perceptual deficits are common in neurological disorders and are key foci of occupational therapy interventions as these deficits may result in significant occupational dysfunction. 
  The contemporary paradigm in occupational therapy is occupation focused and recognises the important of occupation for long term health and well–being (Kielhofner, 2009) This paradigm shift is reflected in the development of occupation-focused approaches in neurological practice. Occupational therapists use a variety of approaches to aid their planning of interventions for people with neurological disability with the aim of maximizing occupational engagement and social participation. 
  This chapter focuses on two frames of reference that inform occupational therapy practice. Firstly, the motor control frame of reference is explored. This frame of reference is exemplified using the task-orientated approach and principles of motor learning. Next the acquisitional frame of reference is discussed. The acquisitional frame of reference brings together theories of learning, cognitive neuroscience and activity analysis to guide occupational therapy interventions for clients with cognitive and perceptual dysfunction (Luebben and Royeen, 2010)    The acquisitional frame of reference is centred around therapists use of teaching and learning strategies to support occupational performance (Greber et al., 2007) 
  A brief summary of key theories will be discussed along with approaches to assessment and intervention planning for each frame of reference.  A synopsis of the evidence base supporting intervention approaches will be given along with vignettes to illustrate the integration of theory into practice.

  Website 
• Feaver S, Ezekiel L, 'Theoretical approaches to motor control and cognitive perceptual function' in Duncan EAS (ed.), Foundations for Practice in Occupational Therapy, Elsevier (2011)
  ISBN: 978-0702053122 eISBN: 9780702046612
  Abstract Section 3. chapter 15

Areas of expertise

I specialised in communuty neurorehabilitation and management of long term neurodisability.

Membership of professional bodies

I am a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, a committee member of the South East Specialist section in neurological practice (Occupational Therapy), member of UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum and the British Society for Rehabilitation Research.

I am also a member of the Faculty  Research Ethics Committee (FREC)  for Health and Life Sciences.

Consultancy

Part of a EU funded project to establish a new master program in Rehabilitation Sciences at JUST (led by Jordan University of Science and Technology) and assist with curriculam development.

Conferences

Ezekiel, L., Collett J., Dawes H., Pang, L., & Mayo, N. (2107) “Factors associated with participation in life situations after stroke in community-dwelling adults: a systematic review. “ paper presented at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists  Annual Conference, Birmingham, UK. 20th June 2017. 

Ezekiel , L (2019) "Experiecnes of fatigue after acquired brain injury" paper presentation. Post graduate research symposium. Oxford Brookes, Oxford, UK 13th February 2019.

Stiger,R. Ezekiel, L, Ellis B ( 2019) Using simulation to increase student engagment in learning. Workshop at Brookes Teaching and Learning Conference, Oxford Brookes, Oxford, 13th June 2019.

 

Other experience

Prior to working at Brookes, I was team leader and specialist occupational therapist in a community neuro-rehabiltiation team. I also have experience in inpatient, community, physical and mental health settings. More recently I worked in private practice as a brain injury case manager.

 

 

Further information

Twitter: @lezeki