An Occupation-Focused Intervention to Promote Functioning Among Adults Aging With Diabetes and Heart Disease

BACKGROUND: Aging adults with chronic diseases are at risk of functional decline. OBJECTIVES: This pilot randomized control trial examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an occupational therapy intervention to promote physical functioning, self-efficacy for disease management, occupational participation, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in at-risk adults aged 55+ with diabetes or heart disease. METHODOLOGY: Forty participants were randomly assigned to the study intervention or usual care. The 10-session remotely-delivered intervention included person-centered goal-setting, occupation-focused health management, and context-specific home and activity modification. RESULTS: The intervention was acceptable with high rates of participant satisfaction. There was a significant between-group difference in favor of the intervention group on physical functioning. Physical HRQOL and frequency of occupational participation also showed trends toward improvement. Self-efficacy and mental health showed no significant improvement for either group. CONCLUSION: Person-centered, occupation-focused interventions can improve physical functioning in at-risk older adults with chronic disease.