Content analysis of a participant-directed intervention to optimize activity engagement of older adult cancer survivors

Abstract

Many older adult cancer survivors reduce their activity level during and after cancer treatment. Occupational therapy interventions need to flexibly address various obstacles to occupational engagement that survivors may face. The aim of this analysis was to describe the content of a participant-directed occupational therapy intervention for older adults with cancer. Content analysis was used to describe the treatment session data from the experimental arm of a pilot randomized controlled trial in terms of activities addressed, obstacles reported, and treatment strategies utilized. Participants predominantly used the intervention to increase exercise engagement or address instrumental activities of daily living. The most common obstacles to occupational engagement included fatigue, finding time, weather, and pain. Regarding treatment strategies, 77% of participants chose to practice the activity with the occupational therapist, 42% requested a piece of equipment, and 11% modified the environment to increase activity engagement. Overall, the participant-directed intervention appears flexible enough to address various activities and obstacles to occupational engagement.