Occupational Therapy Intervention in Patients With Complex Needs to Improve Social Reintegration

Efficacy of Occupational Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Complex Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial

A previous study that involved the intervention of the occupational therapist (OT) on complex patients both in hospital and at home showed the effectiveness of OT during hospitalization. The effectiveness was not demonstrated in the post-discharge phase. Now, the investigators presented a RCT to compare the levels of social reintegration between the intervention group and control group. The hypothesis is that the intervention group obtains a higher and clinically relevant level of social reintegration compared to the group treated with the usual care.

In the previous study, the intervention group achieved higher gains in the return to normal life than in the control group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Because of this, a new study was implemented with the correct sample size, defined through the previous study. In addition, the post-discharge phase the COPM was administered to define new objectives relating mainly to productivity and leisure time areas. Finally, the investigators have indentified some territorial services with the aim to create tailored paths/interventions for patients to promote social reintegration.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Complex impatient
• Admitted to AUSL-IRCCS/UO MFR

Exclusion Criteria:

• Language barriers
• Severe cognitive impairment
• Psychiatric disorders
• Domiciled in a protected facility at the time of admission