Effects of Occupational Therapy Interventions on Occupational Performance and Physical and Cognitive Fatigue in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
A review of seven randomized controlled trials involving 488 adults with Multiple Sclerosis examined the impact of various occupational therapy (OT) interventions on occupational performance and fatigue. Results showed inconsistent benefits, with one trial indicating short-term gains from coaching, while another found no superiority in outcomes among different treatment groups.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Not graded
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
Understanding how OT affects occupational performance and fatigue is crucial for optimizing care in MS patients. These findings highlight the need for more rigorous studies to clarify the effectiveness of OT interventions, which may guide future therapeutic strategies.
What this does not prove
The evidence does not consistently demonstrate that OT improves occupational performance or reduces fatigue in adults with MS. The trials varied too much in their interventions and outcomes, leading to ambiguity in results.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- 488 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-17
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- adults with Multiple Sclerosis
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
Supporting passages (10)
sample sizeSeven RCTs involving 488 randomized participants were included.
publication date2026-10-17
interventionHowever, the effects of occupational therapy (OT) remain uncertain because available trials have evaluated heterogeneous interventions and outcomes.
comparatorFindings for occupational performance were inconsistent: one small waitlist-controlled trial reported large short-term benefits from occupational performance coaching, whereas an active-comparator trial found improvements in both groups without clear superiority.
primary endpointoccupational performance and physical and cognitive fatigue
findingsFindings for occupational performance were inconsistent: one small waitlist-controlled trial reported large short-term benefits from occupational performance coaching, whereas an active-comparator trial found improvements in both groups without clear superiority. Other findings showed no comparative benefit or provided only indirect evidence. Fatigue findings were similarly inconsistent: one 20-participant pilot trial favored a sleep-targeted OT intervention, two trials found no comparative benefit, and one large trial transiently favored usual-care OT.
limitationsThe available evidence does not consistently establish that OT interventions improve occupational performance or reduce physical and cognitive fatigue in adults with MS. Larger, adequately powered RCTs using clearly defined OT interventions, standardized outcomes, and longer follow-up periods are required.
populationTitle: Effects of Occupational Therapy Interventions on Occupational Performance and Physical and Cognitive Fatigue in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article; Review
subjectsTitle: Effects of Occupational Therapy Interventions on Occupational Performance and Physical and Cognitive Fatigue in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
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