Update on productive aging research in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2013, and overview of research published 2009-2013.
In light of the Centennial Vision charge of supporting practice through evidence, this article reviews productive aging research published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT) in 2013 and as a whole from 2009 to 2013. Thirteen such articles were published in 2013, consisting of 4 systematic reviews that identified effective occupational therapy interventions for older adults with low vision; 1 randomized controlled trial that examined changes in occupational therapists' mental health practices with DVD training; and 8 descriptive articles addressing instrument development, practitioner decision making, patient management of medications, and effects of task activities on pain and participation levels. From 2009 to 2013, the quantity and quality of AJOT articles on productive aging increased; 63 articles were published, including 24 effectiveness studies, 14 basic research studies, 15 articles on instrument development and testing, 1 article linking occupational engagement and health, 6 articles on professional education, and 3 articles addressing professional questions.
Mariana D'Amico, EdD, OTR/L, BCP, is Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Allied Health Sciences and School of Graduate Studies, Georgia Regents University Augusta, 1120 15th Street, EC2330, Augusta, GA 30912-0700; mdamico@gru.edu, marianaotr@hotmail.com.
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