Promoting occupational therapy interventions in the Australian community aged care sector

This scoping review aims to describe occupational therapy interventions carried out with multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in occupational therapy. A peer review of the literature was conducted in different databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase, and in some occupational therapy journals. A search of the literature published was carried out before December 2019. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) articles evaluating the intervention of occupational therapy in MS or ALS including experimental, randomized, nonrandomized and exploratory studies; (2) written in English or Spanish; (3) adult population (over 18 years old). The initial search identified 836 articles of which we included 32 divided into four areas of intervention: fatigue-targeted interventions, cognitive interventions, physical interventions and others. Only 16 studies were carried out exclusively by occupational therapists. Most occupational therapy interventions are aimed at fatigue and physical rehabilitation. The majority of the studies in our review included MS patients, with little representation from the ALS population. These interventions have shown an improvement in perceived fatigue, manual dexterity, falls prevention and improvement in cognitive aspects such as memory, communication, depression and quality of life in the MS and ALS populations.

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Axonal Sprouting and Neuronal Connectivity following Central Nervous System Insult: Implications for Occupational Therapy

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/030802260206501006 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 65 (10) ◽

pp. 469-475 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Muriel Kelly ◽

Surya Shah

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Critical Analysis ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Axonal Sprouting ◽

Motor Tasks ◽

Collateral Sprouting ◽

Therapy Interventions ◽

Occupational Therapy Interventions

Based on selected contemporary research, this paper presents a critical analysis of central nervous system (CNS) reorganisation following insult and the need for therapists better to understand the processes that constitute reorganisation and their possible contribution to the development of spasticity. In the treatment of the sequelae of CNS lesions, the synaptic reorganisation as a result of losses caused by injury - in the form of axonal sprouting - is illustrated, focusing on neuronal reconnectivity. Critical analysis of laboratory, electron microscopy and other animal and human studies is also conducted to integrate the controversies identified and to highlight the concepts that become relevant for occupational therapists, in order to optimise therapeutic intervention for maximising restitution in patients with CNS insult. The paper further discusses the capacity of the CNS to compensate and the need to utilise occupational therapy interventions, such as imagining, mental rehearsals, constraint-induced therapy, virtual reality, biofeedback and the traditional repetitive tasks, which leads to ensuring and facilitating the emergence of new synapses to perform motor tasks and manual skills and to prevent secondary changes. These external stimulations provided by the therapists are likely to stimulate both the damaged hemisphere cross-innervation and/or collateral sprouting. These scientifically based treatment strategies and neurological rehabilitation programmes would, in turn, contribute to improving the quality of life of people with CNS insult.

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A systematic review of the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for improving functioning and mental health for individuals with anxiety and stress-related disorders.

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/conf.fpsyt.2017.48.00016 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Jackie Fox ◽

Lena-Karin Erlandsson ◽

Agnes Shiel

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Therapy Interventions ◽

Occupational Therapy Interventions

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Occupational Therapy and the IMPACT Act: Part 1. A Systematic Review of Evidence for Fall Prevention and Reduction, Community Discharge and Reintegration, and Readmission Prevention Interventions

American Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.5014/ajot.121.049044 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Whitney Lucas Molitor ◽

Diana R. Feldhacker ◽

Helene Lohman ◽

Angela M. Lampe ◽

Lou Jensen

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Strength Of Evidence ◽

Prevention Interventions ◽

Readmission Prevention ◽

Low Strength ◽

Therapy Interventions ◽

Occupational Therapy Interventions ◽

The Impact

Importance: Interventions that prevent falls, facilitate discharge after hospitalization, and reduce hospital readmissions assist occupational therapy practitioners in demonstrating professional value, improving quality, and reducing costs. Objective: In this systematic review, we address three outcome areas of the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation (IMPACT) Act of 2014: prevention and reduction of falls, facilitation of community discharge and reintegration, and prevention of hospital readmission. Data Sources: We conducted a search of the literature published between 2009 and 2019. Study Selection and Data Collection: We developed operational definitions to help us identify articles that answered the search question for each outcome area. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Findings: We found 53 articles that address the three outcome areas. Regarding the prevention and reduction of falls, low strength of evidence is available for interventions focusing on a single fall risk and for customized interventions addressing multiple risks. Moderate strength of evidence supports structured community fall risk prevention interventions. Low strength of evidence was found for community discharge and reintegration interventions that include physical activity and educational programming. Low to moderate strength of evidence was found for readmission prevention interventions for patients with four types of condition. Conclusion and Relevance: Several intervention themes in the three outcome areas of interest are supported by few studies or by studies with a moderate risk of bias. Additional research is needed that supports the value of occupational therapy interventions in these outcome areas. What This Article Adds: Our study provides important insights into the state of the evidence related to occupational therapy interventions to address three outcome areas of the IMPACT Act.

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