A comparison of two occupational therapy group programmes on the task-oriented functioning of mental health care users with major depressive disorders

Abstract

Background: Occupational therapists, as part of the multi-disciplinary psychiatric team, frequently include activity and or discussion groups in an attempt to reduce the symptoms of the MHCUs with MDD and to improve their functional ability. The evidence to support occupational therapy group interventions seems to be limited. Aim: To compare a Standard Care Plus (SCO) occupational therapy group programme, which included tangible activities in each of nine sessions with a Standard Care (SCN) group programme, which included tangible activities in only five of nine group sessions and to explore the participants’ experiences of either the SCO or the SCN group programmes. Research design: A concurrent embedded mixed methods intervention research design was employed. A qualitative strand was embedded in a comparison pre-test post-test study. Methods: One hundred participants, 50 from each programme, were pre- and post-treatment tested in order to compare the interventions in respect of cognitive, performance and affective functioning, social interaction and severity of MDD symptoms. Their experiences of the intervention were established. The study took place at the psychiatric wards of two private general hospitals in South Africa. Results: The SCO significantly improved the total outcome (p<0.005) in comparison to the SCN on the MDD symptom reduction (PHQ-9) and social interaction (Client Response by Situation) (p<0.004). Five themes emerged, viz. happiness, social interaction, self-esteem, learned coping skills and being part of the solution. Conclusion: The results suggest that the SCO, which included tangible activities in each group session , was superior to the SCN.