Research Evidence
A randomized controlled trial, published in 2014, explored the efficacy of home-based occupational therapy services for participants with Parkinson's Disease (Sturkenboom et al., 2014). 191 participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group receiving usual care with no occupational therapy intervention. Assessors were masked and measured self-perceived performance in daily activities at three months and six months using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Occupational therapy interventions were individualized and included adaptations to tasks, activities, daily routines and the environment, advice, assistive device recommendations, and strategies for caregivers (Sturkenboom et al., 2014).
Results indicated that at three months and six months, the self-perceived performance of the intervention group was significantly better than the control group. Satisfaction with activity performance was also higher in the intervention group than control group at three and six months. Occupational therapy intervention led to increased insight of participants and enhanced coping of participants and caregivers. Overall, home-based, individualized occupational therapy services were effective in enhancing self-perceived activity performance in participants with Parkinson's Disease (Sturkenboom et al., 2014)
Results indicated that at three months and six months, the self-perceived performance of the intervention group was significantly better than the control group. Satisfaction with activity performance was also higher in the intervention group than control group at three and six months. Occupational therapy intervention led to increased insight of participants and enhanced coping of participants and caregivers. Overall, home-based, individualized occupational therapy services were effective in enhancing self-perceived activity performance in participants with Parkinson's Disease (Sturkenboom et al., 2014)