Effects of a short-term occupational therapy intervention in an acute geriatric unit. A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the benefits of a short-term occupational therapy intervention (OTI) when added to the conventional treatment model (CTM) in the functional recovery of patients admitted to an acute geriatric unit (AGU).

Study design: Non-pharmacological randomized clinical trial. 400 patients were randomized to OTI (n = 198) or CTM (n = 202) group. Mean age 83.5. Interventions included needs assessment, iatrogenic prevention, retraining in activities of daily living, and instructions for caregivers in three groups of patients defined a priori (cardiopulmonary disease, stroke, other conditions) 5 days a week, 30-45 min a day.

Main outcome measure: Recovery of ≥ 10 Barthel index points by discharge. Secondary outcome was the reduction in confusional episodes.

Results: The adjusted relative risk (RR) of functional recovery in the OTI group was 1.16 (95%CI 0.91-1.47). In participants with cardiopulmonary disease was 1.57 (95%CI 1.06-2.32), number needed to treat (NNT) 5. Participants with other conditions assigned to OTI had a reduction in acute confusional episodes; RR 0.48 (95% CI 0.26-0.87), NNT 7.

Conclusions: Although overall there were no significant differences, patients with cardiopulmonary disease or non-stroke pathologies admitted to an AGU, may benefit from a short-term OTI.