Occupational Therapy for Patients With Cardiovascular Disease　- A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is high worldwide. Occupational therapy (OT) allows individuals to participate in activities of daily living (ADLs) and improves their quality of life. However, whether OT improves health-related quality of life (HRQOL), ADLs, fatigue, occupational performance, rehospitalization, and mortality in patients with CVD remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether OT improves HRQOL, ADLs, fatigue, occupational performance, rehospitalization, and mortality in patients with CVD using a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

A literature search of 3 databases in October 2024 yielded 4 RCTs on OT in CVD patients. Two trials (n=208) assessed HRQOL, while 2 others (n=220) examined ADLs. One trial (n=23) evaluated fatigue and occupational performance, and another (n=93) assessed rehospitalization and mortality. Due to insufficient data on HRQOL and ADL improvement in 1 trial, a meta-analysis was not feasible. Similarly, a meta-analysis of fatigue, occupational performance, rehospitalization, and mortality could not be performed due to the limited number of studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed no clear evidence that OT improves HRQOL or ADLs in patients with CVD.