The Effectiveness of Community Occupational Therapy Interventions: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: This review aims to evaluate the level of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of Community Occupational Therapy interventions. Methods: A systematic review was used to analyze and synthesize the studies collected. The databases of Cochrane, OTseeker, OTCATS, Web of Science, Scielo and Scopus were used in order to collect articles published between 2007 and 2020. PRISMA recommendations were followed. Results: A total of 12 articles comprised part of the study (7 randomized controlled studies, 4 systematic reviews and 1 meta-analysis). The main areas of practice were geriatric gerontology (22.1%) and mental health (19.7%), which were statistically significant (χ2; p < 0.005) compared to the rest. Regarding the studies analyzed, all of them had scores of >7 on the PEDro and AMSTAR scales. Conclusions: Research on Community Occupational Therapy constitutes a consolidated line of research but the objectives and areas of research were limited. Descriptive qualitative methodology predominated and studies on the effectiveness of Community Occupational Therapy interventions showed a medium–low level of evidence.

Effectiveness of Community Occupational Therapy Intervention in, with and from the Community in People with Disabilities in Azrou (Morocco)

“…These findings are consistent with those obtained in this study, since improvements were demonstrated in the variables evaluated in the ad hoc questionnaire, in addition to volition. A systematic review about the effectiveness of community OT interventions, which included 12 articles published between 2007 and 2020 [ 55 ], concluded that it constitutes a consolidated line of research, but with limited objectives and research areas, so that the studies were predominantly qualitative and descriptive. In addition, the studies analyzed showed an average/low level of evidence, among which the ones that intended to reduce the risk of fall and to improve performance in the ADL were those that showed the best results [ 55 ].…”

Occupation’s Role in Inclusion of Spanish-Speaking Older Adults in a Senior Center

“…This study contributes to developing models of community-level occupational therapy practice that are specifically rooted in collective, communal, or social perspectives (e.g., Galvaan & Peters, 2017 ; Laliberte-Rudman et al, 2018 ; Lopes & Malfitano, 2020 ). These findings conceptualize how occupational therapy practitioners could leverage occupation through community programs, social movements, and policy change to influence community-level outcomes—rather than aggregated individual measures (e.g., Estrany-Munar et al, 2021 ). This evidence offers actionable mechanisms for occupational therapy practitioners in community organizing and social transformation with this population.…”