title: Reduction of depressive symptoms in an elderly Mexican-American female with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a single-subject study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if occupation-based activities improve diabetes self-management and reduce depressive symptoms in an elderly Mexican-American woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). There have been no known studies showing occupational therapy's role in self-care management of T2DM in people with depressive symptoms. The individual in this single-subject research was evaluated using glycosylated haemoglobin blood tests, four self-reported standardized questionnaires, participant reflective logs and clinical observations following an 8-week intervention. The participant improved on all measures, which were sustained 1 month after treatment ended. Clinical implications highlight a new role for occupational therapists providing early intervention in people with diabetes and depression for secondary prevention of complications of uncontrolled diabetes. Research suggestions include multiple single-subject studies showing occupational therapy contributions.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA. emilyh@utep.edu
authors.forename: Emily Piven
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Haltiwanger
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galindo
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D012648:Self Care
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin