Effectiveness of occupational therapy following organ transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Individuals who receive a solid organ transplant have pre-operative and post-operative impairments in physical function.


OBJECTIVE
This pilot study evaluated the changes in physical function of 23 individuals with an organ transplant who received 2 or more hours of occupational therapy while inpatients in an acute care facility. These individuals also received physiotherapy treatment that was retrospectively quantified. Post-operative function was evaluated at assessment and discharge from occupational therapy with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM).


RESULTS
Significant improvements in FIM scores (mean change +22) were noted at discharge from occupational therapy and there was a positive correlation between attendances or minutes of occupational therapy and study participants' changes in function. Occupational therapy attendances or minutes were also negatively correlated with study participants' initial functional status, which suggests that individuals with lower function received more occupational therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Notwithstanding the benefit of physiotherapy, and the methodological limits of an uncontrolled pre-test/post-test design, this study provides novel, preliminary evidence for the benefit of occupational therapy during the acute care stay of individuals with a solid organ transplant.
Hastings
Jennifer
J
Department of Rehabilitation Services, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Health Network, ON. jen.hastings@uhn.on.ca
Gowans
Susan
S
Watson
Diane E
DE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome