OT Effectiveness for Caregivers of Persons with MS

1. OT Effectiveness for Caregivers of Persons with MS
Stephanie Aleandri, OTS; Lauren Jack,OTS; Monica Miller, OTS; Stephanie Schwemmer, OTS; Emily Eckel, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
I. PURPOSE
To review current evidence exploring the
efficacy of occupational therapy (OT) service
to improve occupational balance of caregivers
of persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
II. DEFINITIONS
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A chronic,
degenerative neurological disease resulting in a
variety of physical, emotional & cognitive
symptoms (Finlayson, et al., 2008).
Informal Caregiver: Typically a friend or
family member providing care at no monetary
cost (Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, 2007).
Caregiver Burden: Caused by prolonged
caregiving activity demands involving both the
physical action of care giving and the IV. RESULTS V. CONCLUSION
caregivers’ perceived self-efficacy (Moghimi, 2007).
Occupational Imbalance: Lack of balance
Informal caregivers are subject to multiple OTs understand the importance of occupational
between life roles and daily occupations
(Moghimi, 2007). stressors including: balance & its effect on health & well being (OTPF).
• Physical problems OT interventions may facilitate decision making
III. BACKGROUND • Emotional distress & empower caregivers to care for themselves
• Financial challenges (Moghimi, 2007) (Fagan, 2008; Moghimi, 2007).
Approximately 400,000 people in the US have Caregiver burden is linked to occupational In this emerging area of practice, OTs are well
MS; 55% are severely affected and require imbalance (MS in Focus, 2007; Fagan, 2008). qualified to provide client centered interventions
caregivers (Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, 2009). OT based interventions may facilitate for caregivers of persons with MS (Moghimi, 2007; OTPF).
An estimated 44 million people in the US caregivers’ restoration of health, well being, &
provide unpaid care giving (Family Caregiver Alliance). occupational balance (Moghimi, 2007).
Caregivers of persons with MS experience OT interventions for caregivers may promote VI. RECOMMENDATIONS
occupational imbalance due to the demands of occupational balance & increase quality of life
care giving (Finlayson, et.al., 2008). (Moghimi, 2007).
More research is needed to explore the efficacy of
Maintaining caregiver occupational balance OT interventions for caregivers of persons with
OT intervention on the occupational balance of
is linked to maintaining active participation in MS are linked to improved well-being of the
informal caregivers of persons with MS.
other meaningful life roles (Moghimi, 2007; MS in Focus, 2007). caregiver & the care recipient (Kahn, et. al, 2007).
“There are just four kinds of people in the world:
those who have been caregivers; those who are caregivers; those who will be caregivers; and those who will need caregivers” (Moghimi, 2007).