JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Research Domains
View All

Contact Us

Occupational Therapy for Patients With Cardiovascular Disease　- A Systematic Review

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation, Niigata Minami Hospital Niigata Japan.
  • 2Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences Niigata Japan.
  • 3Department of Rehabilitation, Shinshu University Hospital Nagano Japan.
  • 4Graduate School of Medicine, Shinshu University Nagano Japan.
  • 5Graduate School of Health and Welfare, Niigata University of Health and Welfare Niigata Japan.
  • 6Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare Niigata Japan.
+

|

June 11, 2025

Abstract

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.

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data 01:23

282

A thorough health history and physical assessment are essential for identifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) symptoms and distinguishing them from other health issues.
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...

Exercise and Cardiac Output 01:17

939

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response 01:20

745

Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...

Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications 01:18

2.1K

Cardiovascular diseases, encompassing a range of conditions, can significantly affect the heart's operations and the overall circulatory system. These conditions impair the heart's ability to pump blood, leading to a deficit in oxygen supply to crucial organs. Anomalies in the heart's electrical system, known as arrhythmias, can cause heartbeats to accelerate or slow down. Usually, heart rates increase during physical activity and decrease while resting or sleeping. However,...

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System II: Inspection 01:29

185

Inspection is the initial step in assessing the cardiovascular system. It involves a detailed visual examination that provides crucial information about a patient's circulatory and cardiac health. This systematic process, conducted from head to toe, helps identify signs of cardiovascular conditions by observing physical appearance, skin and mucous membranes, jugular and carotid pulsations, chest symmetry, and the condition of the extremities.
Head and Neck

General Appearance: With the...

Cardiac Output II: Effect of Stroke Volume on Cardiac Output 01:22

747

Cardiac output (CO), the amount of blood the heart pumps per minute, is a parameter in cardiovascular physiology determined by stroke volume and heart rate. Stroke volume, the amount of blood pushed from one of the ventricles per heartbeat, is influenced by preload, afterload, and contractility.
Preload
Preload refers to the initial elongation of the cardiac myocytes before contraction and is related to the volume of blood filling the heart at the end of diastole, or end-diastolic volume. The...