Effects of a nurse–occupational therapist meeting on function and motivation in hospitalized elderly patients: A pilot randomized control trial

Abstract

Introduction This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of a nurse–occupational therapist meeting on improving motor and social-cognitive functions, as well as motivation, in a subacute hospital setting. Methods Participants were randomized to a weekly multidisciplinary team meeting group (‘control’, n = 20) or a nurse–occupational therapist meeting group (‘intervention’, n = 18). Medical care plans in both groups were discussed in the weekly meeting. In addition, the details of daily life problems for the intervention patients were discussed in the nurse–occupational therapist meeting. Outcome measures included motor and social-cognitive functions assessed by the Functional Independence Measure and motivation assessed by the Vitality Index. Assessment time points were at admission and discharge. Results In the intervention group, additional improvements were found in the Functional Independence Measure cognitive ( p = 0.048, r = 0.32) and the Vitality Index ( p = 0.027, r = 0.36), whereas the Functional Independence Measure motor was improved in both groups ( p ≤ 0.018, r ≥ 0.52). Conclusion We found significant improvement in motor function in both groups and additional improvements in social-cognitive function and motivation in the intervention group. These observations suggest that collaborative practice between nurses and occupational therapists could improve functions underlying independent daily life in hospitalized elderly patients.