In this discussion, specific impairments will be listed and described in terms of the impact on cancer treatment and survivorship and the potential intervention occupational therapists could provide to modify or improve these impairments. This is not an exhaustive list, and it is understood that these impairments do not occur in isolation but within relation to one another. For a list of possible needs specific to adults with cancer and potential occupational therapy interventions, please see table 2.
Engagement in ADL/IADL (functional) impairment:
Over 33% of adults in the United States are estimated to have difficulties with either ADL or IADL.38,39 Even after controlling for the impact of the comorbid conditions, as the number of ADL and …show more content…
This study suggests that even for older adults without clinician-determined deficits, occupational therapy improved short and long-term outcomes and demonstrated cost-effectiveness for community-dwelling older …show more content…
In patients with these types of impairments, occupational therapy intervention significantly reduced readmissions, overall disability, and improved patients’ ADL and IADL.46-50 Furthermore, in a study specifically examining adults with brain tumors, both patients with primary and metastatic tumors were able to make functional gains in rehabilitation.51 And patients with all types of cancer who were seen in inpatient rehabilitation (by both occupational and physical therapy) made significant functional gains at discharge and the presence of metastatic disease did not influence these gains.52
Recently, an occupational therapy intervention was tested with women with breast cancer that included using tele-medicine with a licensed occupational therapist to problem solve through functional engagement and to improve overall QOL.53,54 In this study, women worked through their reported challenges and overall issues with IADL, for example, some women worked with the occupational therapist to problem-solve how to add an exercise program into their daily routine.14 The longitudinal findings demonstrated improved QOL, active coping and reframing of problems, and decreased
Engagement in ADL/IADL (functional) impairment:
Over 33% of adults in the United States are estimated to have difficulties with either ADL or IADL.38,39 Even after controlling for the impact of the comorbid conditions, as the number of ADL and …show more content…
This study suggests that even for older adults without clinician-determined deficits, occupational therapy improved short and long-term outcomes and demonstrated cost-effectiveness for community-dwelling older …show more content…
In patients with these types of impairments, occupational therapy intervention significantly reduced readmissions, overall disability, and improved patients’ ADL and IADL.46-50 Furthermore, in a study specifically examining adults with brain tumors, both patients with primary and metastatic tumors were able to make functional gains in rehabilitation.51 And patients with all types of cancer who were seen in inpatient rehabilitation (by both occupational and physical therapy) made significant functional gains at discharge and the presence of metastatic disease did not influence these gains.52
Recently, an occupational therapy intervention was tested with women with breast cancer that included using tele-medicine with a licensed occupational therapist to problem solve through functional engagement and to improve overall QOL.53,54 In this study, women worked through their reported challenges and overall issues with IADL, for example, some women worked with the occupational therapist to problem-solve how to add an exercise program into their daily routine.14 The longitudinal findings demonstrated improved QOL, active coping and reframing of problems, and decreased