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Project

State of the art evidence-based Occupational Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: theory and practice

Background

Despite people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) reporting benefits from participating in occupational therapy, the evidence for the effectiveness of occupational therapy for PwMS is yet to be established. The latest Cochrane systematic review about this subject, which included only one randomised controlled trial, was conducted almost twenty years ago. Since then, research in this area has grown significantly and the scope of occupational therapy has changed from a biomedical perspective to a more client-centred and holistic approach. A workforce is needed to apply the evidence to clinical practice with the aim of improving care for PwMS in the UK and abroad.

The aim of this project is to synthesise the existing evidence of the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for PwMS and facilitate its implementation in clinical practice.

 

Objectives

1) To assess the effects and safety of occupational therapy interventions for PwMS to enhance engagement in meaningful activities of everyday life and quality of life; to assess differences in effects based on intervention delivery and setting.

2) To assess barriers and facilitators of evidence-based practice and to develop a plan to implement existing evidence into occupational therapy practice.

 

Method

The project will be performed in four work packages:

  1. We will synthesize existing evidence by completing a Cochrane review in the area of occupational therapy and MS. We have the support of Cochrane MS & Rare Diseases of the CNS group to perform this review.
  2. We will assess barriers and facilitators of evidence-based occupational therapy practice for PwMS with a literature review and a survey completed by occupational therapists working with PwMS.
  3. The results of the review and survey (WP2) will be used for the development of an implementation plan, based on the 5-step approach for knowledge implementation.

WP4 includes activities to disseminate results to relevant stakeholders.

Date:2 Jan 2023 →  Today
Keywords:Occupational Therapy, Evidence-based practice, Multiple sclerosis, Rehabilitation, Implementation
Disciplines:Rehabilitation