Article

Although occupational therapists are integral to the rehabilitation
process of people with amputations, the effectiveness of the occupational therapy
intervention for older adults with lower limb amputations has not been
investigated. OBJECTIVES: To identify the effectiveness of the occupational
therapy interventions with older adults aged 65 years and older with lower limb
amputations. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS:
A systematic search was
conducted in CINAHL, PUBMED, OTSEEKER and OTDBASE from January 1985 to January
2011. The eligible papers were critiqued using a typology, which involved
designation of levels of evidence and quality markers. RESULTS: The databases
yielded 2,664 potential publications. Of these, only two were included in the
final review. These studies suggested that the frequency of the occupational
therapy sessions was found to be statistically significantly related to
prosthesis use and that service users perceived positive benefits about the
provision of stump boards. Both studies had limitations resulting in a need for
further investigation in these areas. CONCLUSION:
Research evidence on the
occupational therapy interventions with this population is limited and scarce.
Occupational therapists need to take urgent action to address the identified
evidence-based gaps in order to devise informed targeted rehabilitation
programmes for this client group.

Langue : ANGLAIS