Age and Aging Vol. 33 No. 5 © British Geriatrics Society 2004; all rights reserved
Systematic Review |
Occupational therapy for community dwelling elderly people: a systematic review
1 Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), PO Box 1568, 3500 BN Utrecht, The Netherlands,*
2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3 Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine (EMGO-institute), VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4 Amstelring Thuiszorg, Amstelveen, The Netherlands
5 Department of Occupational Therapy, Division of Neurosciences Rehabilitation HP F00.811, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Address correspondence to: E. M. J. Steultjens. Email: e.steultjens{at}nivel.nl
Abstract
Objective: occupational therapy might play an important role in maintaining independent living for community dwelling elderly people. The aim of this systematic review is to determine whether occupational therapy improves outcome for people who are 
60 years and are living independently.
Methods: an extensive search in MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, AMED and SCISEARCH until July 2002 was performed. Studies with controlled and uncontrolled designs were included. Six intervention categories were distinguished and individually analysed using a best-evidence synthesis, based on the type of design, the methodological quality, type of outcome measures and statistical significance of findings.
Results: 17 studies were included, ten of which were randomised clinical trials. Six randomised clinical trials had a high methodological quality. Strong evidence is present for the efficacy of advising on assistive devices as part of a home hazards assessment on functional ability. There is some evidence for the efficacy of training of skills combined with a home hazard assessment in decreasing the incidence of falls in elderly people at high risk of falling. Some evidence is available for the efficacy of comprehensive occupational therapy on functional ability, social participation and quality of life. Insufficient evidence is present for the efficacy of counselling the primary caregiver of dementia patients about maintaining the patient's functional abilities.
Conclusion: this review shows that occupational therapy interventions for community dwelling elderly people results in positive outcomes. Future research in the efficacy of occupational therapy in elderly patient groups such as people with dementia is recommended. Furthermore, research into tailoring interventions to the needs of elderly patients is recommended.
Keywords: occupational therapy, aged, review literature, meta-analysis, elderly
Received June 10, 2003; accepted in revised form April 7, 2004.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  H.-W. Wahl, A. Fange, F. Oswald, L. N. Gitlin, and S. Iwarsson The Home Environment and Disability-Related Outcomes in Aging Individuals: What Is the Empirical Evidence? Gerontologist, June 1, 2009; 49(3): 355 - 367. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. J L Graff, E. M M Adang, M. J M Vernooij-Dassen, J. Dekker, L Jonsson, M. Thijssen, W. H L Hoefnagels, and M. G M O. Rikkert Community occupational therapy for older patients with dementia and their care givers: cost effectiveness study BMJ, January 19, 2008; 336(7636): 134 - 138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. J. L. Graff, M. J. M. Vernooij-Dassen, M. Thijssen, J. Dekker, W. H. L. Hoefnagels, and M. G. M. OldeRikkert Effects of Community Occupational Therapy on Quality of Life, Mood, and Health Status in Dementia Patients and Their Caregivers: A Randomized Controlled Trial J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., September 1, 2007; 62(9): 1002 - 1009. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N C Voermans, A H Snijders, Y Schoon, and B R Bloem Why old people fall (and how to stop them) Practical Neurology, June 1, 2007; 7(3): 158 - 171. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. J L Graff, M. J M Vernooij-Dassen, M. Thijssen, J. Dekker, W. H L Hoefnagels, and M. G M O. Rikkert Community based occupational therapy for patients with dementia and their care givers: randomised controlled trial BMJ, December 9, 2006; 333(7580): 1196 - 1196. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. A. Riley Occupational Therapy in the Home for Nonhomebound Patients Home Health Care Management Practice, December 1, 2006; 19(1): 19 - 25. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. A. DePalma Rehabilitation Therapy Services in Home Care: Evidence Home Health Care Management Practice, December 1, 2006; 19(1): 61 - 62. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. J.L. Graff, M. J.M. Vernooij-Dassen, J. Zajec, M. G.M. Olde-Rikkert, W. H.L. Hoefnagels, and J. Dekker How can occupational therapy improve the daily performance and communication of an older patient with dementia and his primary caregiver?: A case study Dementia, November 1, 2006; 5(4): 503 - 532. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. M. Steultjens, J. Dekker, L. M Bouter, C. J Leemrijse, and C. H. van den Ende Evidence of the efficacy of occupational therapy in different conditions: an overview of systematic reviews Clinical Rehabilitation, March 1, 2005; 19(3): 247 - 254. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|