Occupational therapy is an effective way to empower individuals to manage chronic conditions holistically. The research literature demonstrates that using a variety of techniques and strategies, occupational therapists are able to provide expert guidance to help individuals improve their quality of life by managing their chronic conditions, through the development of skills and strategies to cope with them.
Pain management is an essential part of occupational therapy, which can involve the use of manual therapy, relaxation techniques, and various other personalized strategies. Furthermore, occupational therapists can provide education and guidance on proper posture, body mechanics, and ergonomic activities to reduce pain and discomfort. This can include stretching, strengthening, and range of motion exercises, as well as instruction on how to use adaptive equipment and assistive devices that may be appropriate for the particular chronic condition that an individual may have suffer from.1,2
Exercise is also a central part of effectively managing chronic conditions. Occupational therapists can help individuals find activities tailored to their personality that are safe, enjoyable, and beneficial to their overall health. Examples of exercises that may boost an individual’s well-being include aerobic exercises, strength training, and activities that promote flexibility and coordination.3,4 Moreover, occupational therapists tend to provide education on different kinds of exercise forms, and how to incorporate them into an effective daily routine to manage one’s chronic conditions.
In conjunction with exercise, occupational therapists can provide tips and strategies for completing daily tasks. This can include teaching how to break down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, as well as strategies for organizing and prioritizing tasks.5,6 They can also provide education on how to use adaptive equipment and assistive devices to make tasks easier and more efficient.
Energy conservation is also an important component of occupational therapy and can involve the use of pacing and scheduling activities, as well as the use of adaptive equipment or assistive devices.7,8 Therapists can typically provide education on how to plan rest periods and how to modify tasks to conserve energy.
Falls have been shown to be the number one cause of death for individuals who are 65 years of age and older.9 Therefore, fall prevention is a crucial area of occupational therapy, which could involve the use of balance and gait training, including the use of adaptive equipment and assistive devices.10 Occupational therapists have the ability to provide education on how to identify and reduce environmental hazards in the home to prevent falls.
In life, we experience various challenges as we age, and we need to assemble the required resources to cope in order to live fulfilling lives. Consequently, developing strong coping skills are important (e.g., problem-focused, and emotion-focused coping strategies. Occupational therapists could offer education and guidance on various tailored coping strategies for managing chronic conditions. Examples of coping strategies encompass relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation.11,12
Along your journey in managing your chronic condition(s), occupational therapists have the capacity to educate you on the best ways to identify and manage your stressors, as well as how to develop enhanced problem-solving skills that make your life easier, and boost the quality of your personal relationships.
References
1. Dahlhamer, J., Lucas, J., Zelaya, C., Nahin, R., Mackey, S., DeBar, L., Kerns, R., Von Korff, M., Porter, L., & Helmick, C. (2018). Prevalence of Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain Among Adults - United States, 2016. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 67(36), 1001–1006. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6736a2
2. Bardhan, I., Chen, H., & Karahanna, E. (2020). Connecting systems, data, and people: A multidisciplinary research roadmap for chronic disease management. MIS Quarterly, 44(1), 185-200.
3. Douka, S., Zilidou, V. I., Lilou, O., & Manou, V. (2019). Traditional dance improves the physical fitness and well-being of the elderly. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 11, 75.
4. Park, Park, Na, Hiroyuki, Kim, Jung, Kim, & Park. (2019). Combined Intervention of Physical Activity, Aerobic Exercise, and Cognitive Exercise Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline for Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(7), 940. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8070940
5. O’Connell, M. E., Haase, K. R., Grewal, K. S., Panyavin, I., Kortzman, A., Flath, M. E., ... & Peacock, S. (2022). Overcoming barriers for older adults to maintain virtual community and social connections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical Gerontologist, 45(1), 159-171.
6. Kruse, C. S., Fohn, J., Umunnakwe, G., Patel, K., & Patel, S. (2020). Evaluating the Facilitators, Barriers, and Medical Outcomes Commensurate with the Use of Assistive Technology to Support People with Dementia: A Systematic Review Literature. Healthcare, 8(3), 278. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8030278
7. Harenwall, S., Heywood-Everett, S., Henderson, R., Godsell, S., Jordan, S., Moore, A., ... & Bland, A. R. (2021). Post-covid-19 syndrome: improvements in health-related quality of life following psychology-led interdisciplinary virtual rehabilitation. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 12, 1-12. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501319211067674
8. Löfgren, M., Larsson, E., Isaksson, G., & Nyman, A. (2022). Older adults’ experiences of maintaining social participation: creating opportunities and striving to adapt to changing situations. Scandinavian journal of occupational therapy, 29(7), 587-597.
9. James, S. L., Lucchesi, L. R., Bisignano, C., Castle, C. D., Dingels, Z. V., Fox, J. T., ... & Murray, C. J. (2020). The global burden of falls: global, regional and national estimates of morbidity and mortality from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Injury prevention, 26(Suppl 2), i3-i11.
10. Clemson, L., Stark, S., Pighills, A. C., Torgerson, D. J., Sherrington, C., & Lamb, S. E. (2019). Environmental interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019(2), 1-21. CD013258. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013258
11. Toussaint, L., Nguyen, Q. V., Roettger, C., Dixon, K., Offenbächer, M., Kohls, N., Hirsch, J. K., & Sirois, F. M. (2021). Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Deep Breathing, and Guided Imagery in Promoting Psychological and Physiological States of Relaxation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5924040
12. Chen, Y., Peng, Y., Xu, H., & O’Brien, W. H. (2018). Age differences in stress and coping: Problem-focused strategies mediate the relationship between age and positive affect. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 86(4), 347-363.