Occupational therapy

Abstract

People with rheumatoid arthritis can find it painful, tiring, and frustrating to perform their daily activities, work, family and social responsibilities, and leisure. While drug therapy has improved outcomes, many still experience limitations in their daily lives. Occupational therapy aims to: improve clients’ abilities to perform their activities and participate in their social roles; reduce pain and fatigue; improve or maintain physical function; improve or maintain psychological status; help people self-manage their condition successfully and adapt to changes in their lifestyle; achieve a healthy work and personal life balance. People with participation restrictions have poorer psychological and physical outcomes. Helping people participate in their roles, as and when they wish to, is an important part of rehabilitation to maximize clients’ quality of life. Occupational therapists use a wide range of educational, physical, social, psychological, and work-related interventions to help people live their lives as successfully as possible.