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Description

The incidence of cancer continues to rise. For many individuals with cancer, spirituality is an important part of life. Spirituality impacts the individual’s meaning, purpose, self-identity, occupational engagement, occupational performance, and quality of life. However, there are sometimes barriers to participation in religions activities. Occupational therapy (OT) is indicated when people have barriers to participation. However, spirituality is not consistently addressed in OT practice and OT practitioners may not feel comfortable in addressing barriers to participation in spiritual activities among their clients with cancer. Objective: Scoping review methodology was used to answer the research question, how are OT practitioners addressing the barriers and challenges to participation in spirituality of clients with cancer? Design: A scoping review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses -Scoping Review (PRISMA ScR) guidelines. Online databases were searched to identify literature from the years 2000-2025. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Data was charted based on constructs of the OT process and the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E). Results: Most of the identified literature used qualitative methods. OT practitioners were aware of the clients’ needs and outcomes per OT referral. The impact of each intervention on the individual with cancer was illustrated as themes within the components of the CMOP-E. The themes illustrated within the majority were strength found through spiritual beliefs, hope, and/or faith, coping with cancer, social support, physical symptoms associated with cancer, as well as the program/hospital rules and regulations. OT practitioners address the barriers and challenges to participation in spiritual activities by creating a tailored treatment plan for the individual through the completion of each component of the OT Process and the identified spiritual interventions.

Conclusions: Through the guidance and support of the OT practitioner, spiritual interventions were used to treat the individual from a holistic perspective to address the barriers and challenges individuals with cancer face. The spiritual interventions fostered meaning, purpose, occupational participation in spirituality, self-identity, self-worth, and overall quality of life.

Publication Date

Spring 4-9-2025

Publisher

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Keywords

Occupational therapy, Spirituality, Cancer, Barriers or challenges to participation

Medical Subject Headings

Occupational therapy, Spirituality, Cancer, Barriers or challenges to participation

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Comments

Poster presented at the in-person OTD Capstone Symposium, held at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences on April 9, 2025.

Occupational Therapy for Participation in Spirituality for Individuals With Cancer: A Scoping Review

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