Addressing Rehabilitation Needs in Pediatric Palliative Care: The Role of Occupational Therapy

Children with life-limiting illnesses face physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that restrict their activities of daily living. Although these needs require a holistic approach, rehabilitation services, particularly occupational therapy, are often limited in pediatric palliative care. This study aimed to evaluate the unmet rehabilitation needs of children receiving pediatric palliative care in Turkey based on the Person-Environment-Occupation model.

A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative data on self-care, mobility, and caregiver burden were collected through standardized assessments. Qualitative data were gathered from semi-structured interviews with parents and analyzed using Directed Content Analysis.

Quantitative findings revealed considerable impairments in mobility, self-care, and cognition, resulting in high caregiver burden. Qualitative findings contextualized these limitations, revealing themes of loss of independence, emotional distress, environmental barriers, and lack of professional and social support. Limited access to occupational therapy may impact quality of life.

The findings suggest that occupational therapy may support children's participation in activities of daily living and ease caregiver burden in pediatric palliative care. Interventions focusing on physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, as well as environmental adaptation, appear promising. Further research is needed to examine the long-term effects of occupational therapy in different care settings.