Chronic Diseases and Occupational Therapy 2026–2027 Comprehensive Guide to OT Interventions, Treatment Strategies & Case Studies

Chronic Diseases and Occupational Therapy
Comprehensive Guide to OT Interventions,
Treatment Strategies & Case Studies

SECTION I — FOUNDATIONS
1. Introduction to Chronic Disease in Occupational Therapy
 Definition of chronic disease in healthcare and OT
 Global and regional burden of chronic conditions
 Role of OT across the lifespan
 OT’s unique value in long-term condition management
2. Theoretical & Practice Frameworks in Chronic Disease OT
Person–Environment–Occupation (PEO) Model
 Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E)
 Kawa Model
 Biopsychosocial approach
 Occupational justice and health equity
3. Occupational Therapy Process in Chronic Conditions
 Occupational profile development
 Evaluation vs. re-evaluation in chronic care
 Goal setting (SMART, client-centered goals)
 Measuring outcomes over time

,SECTION II — ASSESSMENT & CLINICAL REASONING
4. Assessment Tools & Outcome Measures
 ADL/IADL assessments
 Cognitive screening tools
 Psychosocial and mental health screening
 Quality of life and participation measures
 Pain and fatigue assessment
5. Clinical Reasoning in Chronic Disease Management
 Procedural, interactive, and conditional reasoning
 Managing fluctuating conditions
 Ethical decision-making
 Cultural competence in long-term care


SECTION III — INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
6. Self-Management & Health Promotion Interventions
 Education and behavior change
 Habit and routine restructuring
 Energy conservation and fatigue management
 Medication and symptom management
 Technology and telehealth in OT

,7. Physical & Cognitive Rehabilitation Approaches
 Motor control and functional mobility
 Upper extremity rehabilitation
 Cognitive rehabilitation strategies
 Adaptive equipment and assistive technology




8. Psychosocial & Participation-Focused Interventions
 Coping, motivation, and resilience
 Depression, anxiety, and chronic illness
 Social participation and role adaptation
 Work, leisure, and community reintegration


SECTION IV — CONDITION-SPECIFIC OT INTERVENTIONS
9. Neurological & Musculoskeletal Chronic Conditions
 Stroke
 Parkinson’s disease
 Multiple sclerosis
 Arthritis and chronic pain
10. Medical & Systemic Chronic Conditions
 Diabetes mellitus
 Cardiovascular disease
 Chronic respiratory conditions (COPD, asthma)
 Chronic kidney disease

, SECTION V — CASE STUDIES & APPLICATION
11. Applied Case Studies
Each case includes:
 Client occupational profile
 Assessment findings
 OT problem list
 Intervention plan with rationale
 Expected outcomes
 Discharge planning & long-term follow-up
Example cases:
 Adult with diabetes and work participation issues
 Post-stroke client transitioning to home
 Older adult with COPD and fatigue
 Client with chronic pain and depression


SECTION VI — FUTURE DIRECTIONS & CONCLUSION
12. Emerging Trends & Future Directions
 Digital health and remote OT
 Interdisciplinary chronic care models
 Prevention and population-based OT
 Policy, advocacy, and occupational justice