Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations.
Engagement in prolonged sedentary behaviors negatively impacts health. Sedentary behavior and perceived occupational performance were explored among community-dwelling older adults. In this pretest–posttest study, a goal-based approach to OT was used for intervention. While additional research is needed, participant-developed goals involving meaningful occupations may impact occupational performance and sedentary behavior among community-dwelling older adults.
Primary Author and Speaker: Allison Naber
Additional Authors and Speakers: Whitney Lucas Molitor
Contributing Authors: Michaela Dendinger, Vitoria Heier, Madison Michels, and Dana Vandenberg
PURPOSE: Older adults, aged 65 and older, who participate in prolonged sedentary behaviors are at an increased risk for adverse health outcomes, disease, and disability. There is limited research exploring the impact of goal-based interventions rooted in meaningful occupations on sedentary behaviors and perceived occupational performance among this population. This study aimed to explore sedentary behavior and perceived occupational performance among community-dwelling older adults before and after goal-based, occupational therapy interventions involving meaningful occupations.
DESIGN: A one-group, pretest-posttest design was utilized to explore the impact of participant developed goal-based interventions involving meaningful occupations on sedentary behaviors and perceived occupational performance among community-dwelling older adults.
METHOD: This study took place at a community center that provides meals and activities for older adults in a rural, Midwestern community. Participants were required to be 65 years or older and reside independently in the community. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), RAND-SF 36, Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire, and actigraphy were utilized to measure occupational performance, quality of life, sedentary behavior, and physical activity levels respectively. Participants were seen for eight weeks, with weeks one and eight focusing on assessment measures. During week two, participants collaborated with researchers to set goals for engaging in meaningful occupations to reduce time spent in sedentary behaviors. The Person-Environment-Occupation model and the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement served as the theoretical foundation for the goal-based interventions. During weeks three to seven, participants met with researchers to review their progress and to make modifications to their goal-related activities to promote improved occupational performance and to encourage decreased sedentary behaviors.
RESULTS: This study included six community-dwelling older adults between the ages of 76 and 87 (M = 81.83, SD = 3.87). Increased occupational performance from 5.17 (SD = 1.95) to 6.07 (SD = 2.63) and increased satisfaction with occupational performance from 4.67 (SD = 1.96) to 6.65 (SD = 2.48) was noted on the COPM following goal-based interventions. Role limitations due to emotional problems, as identified by the RAND-SF 36, decreased significantly (z = -2.070, p = .038) following interventions. While time spent engaging in sedentary behaviors and actigraphy findings were not significantly impacted, several other positive trends were noted in the data at the conclusion of the study.
CONCLUSION: Results indicate that participant developed goal-based interventions involving meaningful occupations may impact perceived occupational performance among community-dwelling older adults. However, further research is needed to demonstrate the influence of such interventions on a larger scale and with greater generalizability.
IMPACT STATEMENT: This study provides the foundation for additional research exploring the unique contributions of occupational therapy interventions, rooted in the use of meaningful occupations, to decrease sedentary behavior and improve perceived occupational performance among community-dwelling older adults.
References
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Polatajko, H. J., Townsend, E. A. & Craik, J. (2007). Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E). In E. A. Townsend & H. J. Polatajko (Eds.), Enabling occupation II: Advancing an occupational therapy vision of health, well-being, & justice through occupation (pp. 22-36). Ottawa, ON: CAOT Publications ACE.
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