Occupational Therapy: A Potentially Valuable Intervention for People with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Abstract

Primary Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterised by dry eyes and mouth. Chronic fatigue is one of the most prevalent and debilitating symptoms and people are more likely to have reduced functioning and wellbeing. Occupational therapy is not routinely offered to people with this condition. In this opinion piece, the literature on the difficulties in occupational performance that people with this condition may experience is reviewed, using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure as a framework to explore how self-care, productivity and leisure may be affected. The potential role of occupational therapy as an intervention is then discussed.