Occupational Therapy Intervention in People with Muscular Dystrophy: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions in individuals with muscular dystrophy, focusing on functional outcomes and quality of life. The study included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving individuals with muscular dystrophy, regardless of age or gender. Various therapeutic interventions were assessed, along with a range of outcome measures. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and the PEDro Scale was applied to assess methodological rigor. Six RCTs published between 2011 and 2020 were analyzed. The primary focus of these studies was on interventions targeting functional deficits in individuals with muscular dystrophy. The Cochrane RoB 2 tool indicated that four studies had a moderate risk of bias, while two had a low risk. The PEDro Scale also revealed varying methodological quality. The interventions centered on adapting daily activities and using compensatory strategies, involving caregivers to promote patient independence and improve quality of life. Thus, the analysis highlights the potential benefits of occupational therapy for individuals with muscular dystrophy to improve functional abilities. However, more high-quality research is needed to solidify these findings and improve the evidence base.