Occupational therapy interventions for multiple sclerosis: A scoping review

Abstract

Background

Evidence for the effectiveness of occupational therapy for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is yet to be established.

Aims/objectives

To review the evidence regarding the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions in improving outcomes for adults with MS.

Material and methods

We completed a scoping review of occupational therapy and multiple sclerosis following a scoping review methodological framework. Search included articles published up until June 2019. Studies were included if they were original research that included adults with MS published in English and assessed interventions delivered by occupational therapists.

Results

The search yielded 1646 results. Following screening and review of articles, thirty papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Studies were charted and discussed in the areas of: (1) fatigue management or energy conservation; (2) upper-limb rehabilitation; (3) occupation-focussed cognitive rehabilitation; and (4) other types of interventions.

Conclusions

The quality of evidence that exists for occupational therapy with people with MS is mixed but there are studies that show that occupational therapy can improve occupational and other outcomes in this population.

Significance: Patients have reported many benefits of occupational therapy but the evidence-base to support this needs to be developed.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Occupational therapists are well-placed to intervene with multiple sclerosis symptoms.

• Evidence for the effectiveness of occupational therapy for people with multiple sclerosis is yet to be established.

• Fatigue management programmes delivered by occupational therapists are effective in reducing symptoms.

• Additional training in client-centred practice is no more effective than usual occupational therapy.

Keywords:

• Occupational therapy
• multiple sclerosis
• rehabilitation
• activities of daily living
• fatigue
• evidence-based practice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Evidence Synthesis Ireland (ESI) Summer Studentship 2019 and we thank ESI for the funding and their support.