[Controlled trials on the efficacy of occupational therapy with elderly. Part II: Evidence for prioritized diseases and disabilities].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the evidence for the efficacy of occupational therapy on prioritized diseases and disabilities of the elderly.


METHODS
Reviews, meta-analyses and clinical trials with control group design regarding "occupational therapy" were identified by an electronic search of pubmed and reviewed based on the CONSORT-Statement. The study results were summarised in regard to diseases and commented considering further literature.


RESULTS
A total of 31 studies were identified: 10 on stroke, 6 on dementia, 5 on prevention of falls, growing loneliness or inactivity, 4 on need of nursing care, and 6 on other diseases or disabilities. There is evidence for a positive efficacy of occupational therapy on the level of several controlled trials or reviews.


CONCLUSIONS
Especially in Germany, further research specific to occupational therapy is needed in the fields of depression, diabetes mellitus and nursing care in the community.
Voigt-Radloff
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Zentrum für Geriatrie und Gerontologie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Lehener Str. 88, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. sebastian.voigt@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Schochat
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Heiss
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D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D005858:Germany; D006292:Health Priorities; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome