Occupational therapy in activities of daily living for patients in palliative oncology care
an integrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18554/refacs.v14i00.8866Keywords:
Occupational Therapy, Palliative Care, Activities of Daily Living, Medical OncologyAbstract
Objective: to identify and analyze the available evidence on Occupational Therapy intervention in the performance of activities of daily living (ADLs) in patients undergoing palliative oncology care. Methods: the following databases were considered: Public Medline, Virtual Health Library, and Cochrane, in August 2023, in an atemporal manner. The following descriptors in Portuguese were used: “Terapia Ocupacional” (Occupational Therapy), “Cuidados Paliativos” (Palliative Care), and “Atividades de Vida Diária” (Activities of Daily Living). The data were organized in a table and analyzed based on the frequency of emerging themes and the consistency of findings in different contexts, and discussed according to their relevance to Occupational Therapy practice. Results: 114 studies were identified; after applying the eligibility criteria, five were included. The studies demonstrated that Occupational Therapy contributes to maintaining autonomy, emotional well-being, and adaptation to the limitations imposed by the disease and treatment, using strategies such as functional re-education, relaxation, and facilitation of occupational participation. Conclusion: building a stronger evidence base is needed at different stages of the disease and in diverse populations, deepening the understanding of the effectiveness of occupational therapy in oncological palliative care.
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