Occupational Therapy for Recovery After Uterine Myomectomy: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors requiring surgical intervention like myomectomy.
• Post-surgical recovery can involve significant limitations in daily activities and mobility.
• Multidisciplinary care is crucial for optimal patient outcomes after gynecological procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the role and impact of occupational therapy (OT) in the recovery of a patient post-abdominal myomectomy.
• To assess the effectiveness of home-based OT interventions on functional performance and pain management.
• To highlight the importance of integrating OT into gynecological surgical recovery pathways.

Main Methods:

• A case report detailing the occupational therapy intervention for a 33-year-old woman following abdominal myomectomy.
• Occupational performance was evaluated using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and an occupational profile.
• Home-based OT was provided twice weekly for three weeks, focusing on daily activities, mobility, and pain management.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in COPM scores for functional mobility (performance: 3 to 9; satisfaction: 4 to 9) and personal hygiene (performance: 3 to 8; satisfaction: 4 to 8).
• The patient achieved independence in essential daily tasks including dressing, bathing, and grooming.
• The intervention demonstrated positive effects on pain management and overall functional mobility.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy is an essential component of post-myomectomy care, facilitating a return to daily activities.
• This case underscores the value of multidisciplinary rehabilitation approaches in gynecological recovery.
• Integrating occupational therapy services can enhance patient independence and quality of life after uterine fibroid surgery.