Comprehensive Occupational Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis: How to Enhance Occupational Performance

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic disabling joint disease. Empowering patients with RA to self manage the disease can lead to changes in behaviour, pain or physical health and psychosocial health status. Limited evidence exists for the efficacy of comprehensive Occupational Therapy (OT) intervention for patients with RA in improving functional ability. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of comprehensive OT intervention on patients with RA in producing a sustained improvement in patients' functional ability. It was found that a comprehensive in-patient occupational therapy programme does lead to sustained significant improvement in functional ability and Health related quality of life (HR-QOL). Focus groups and home based intervention appears to have a clinically significant impact on disease activity.

Carin Dreijer du Plessis, B.OT, School of Therapeutic Science, University of Stellenbosch (2001) RSA. Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Rheumatology Unit 2002 - 2007. MSc.OT, School of Therapeutic Science, University of the Witwatersrand (2007) RSA. Part time lecturer Occupational Therapy Department, University of the Witwatersrand 2007 - 2010.