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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

A Training Program Using an Agility Ladder for Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Published on: March 7, 2020
Occupational Therapy Interventions Supporting Social Participation and Leisure Engagement for Community-Dwelling
Stacy Smallfield1, Whitney Lucas Molitor2
1Stacy Smallfield, DrOT, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA, is Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and Medicine and Assistant Director, Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Professional Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; stacy.smallfield@wustl.edu.
Abstract:
This systematic review examines the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy that address leisure engagement and social participation among community-dwelling older adults. Eleven Level I, 1 Level II, 1 Level III, and 1 Level IV studies met inclusion criteria. Included articles addressed two themes: interventions supporting social participation and interventions supporting leisure engagement. Strong evidence supports leisure education interventions to enhance leisure engagement, and moderate evidence supports chronic disease self-management programs to support leisure engagement. Mixed evidence exists for community-based group interventions and electronic gaming to support social participation. Routine use of leisure education and chronic disease self-management programs to enhance leisure engagement and selective use of community-based groups and electronic gaming to support social participation are recommended.
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