Occupational therapy intervention for cancer patients with metastatic disease.

Very little information is available on the role of occupational therapy in the care of cancer patients who are being actively treated for metastatic disease. To gain information on occupational therapy assessment and treatment procedures, we reviewed the records of 54 adult inpatients who received occupational therapy services during a hospital admission. We found that assessment focused on independent living skills, sensorimotor components, and therapeutic adaptations. Treatment also focused on these areas but placed heavy emphasis on physical daily living skills, range of motion, assistive/adaptive equipment, and energy conservation. These findings indicate that occupational therapy has a unique role in the physical care of cancer patients with metastatic disease.