Effects of Client-Centered Occupational Therapy Intervention in Older Adults With Depression: A Randomized Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Occupational Therapy
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Depression is a prevalent mental health issue in older adults, impacting their daily functioning and community engagement.
• Traditional interventions may not fully address the multifaceted needs of elderly individuals with depression.
• Client-centered approaches are increasingly recognized for their potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of client-centered occupational therapy (CCOT) in improving mental health, activities of daily living (ADL), and community participation among older adults diagnosed with depression.
• To compare the effects of CCOT against a control intervention comprising case management and a strength-brain exercise program.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 older adults with depression, divided into an experimental (CCOT) and a control group (15 participants each).
• The experimental group received CCOT using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Barth Time Construction (BTC).
• Both groups received interventions twice weekly for 16 sessions, with assessments for depression, anxiety, stress, ADL, and community participation conducted pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• The CCOT group demonstrated significant improvements in depression, anxiety, stress, social integration, and community integration (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01).
• The control group showed significant improvement only in depression scores (p < 0.05).
• Comparative analysis revealed significant differences between groups in social integration, depression, stress, and community integration (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01), favoring the CCOT group.

Conclusions:

• Client-centered occupational therapy is an effective intervention for enhancing mental health, ADL, and community participation in older adults experiencing depression.
• CCOT offers superior benefits for social integration compared to standard care in this population.
• The findings support the integration of CCOT into geriatric mental healthcare strategies.