Eficacia de una intervención ocupacional versus la tradicional en síntomas de depresión en adultos mayores

Mental health problems in the elderly are associated with depression, medicalization and self-medication. One of the proposals to improve the condition of these patients are occupational therapies. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of an Occupational Therapy Intervention based on the Kielhofner Human Occupation Model for the reduction of symptoms of depression in older adults of a Family Medical Unit of the Mexican Social Security Institute of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. Material and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in patients over 60 years of age and older who had some degree of depression identified with the Yesavage and Brink scale, who were randomly selected at the Outpatient Clinic of a second level Hospital of Attention. The sample consisted of those who fulfilled inclusion criteria and a group was formed to whom the scale of Yesavage and Brink pre-test and post-test were applied. The intervention was of volitional type and was evaluated with the fulfillment of more than 80% of its activities planned in the schedule of work activities. Results: Of the sample evaluated (n = 24), 3 subjects were eliminated from the experimental group because they did not comply with all their activities. The mean age of the elderly was 69 ± 7 years. The highest proportion of samples was made up of women (57%). 61.90% of the elderly had a chronic disease (diabetes and hypertension) of more than 10 years of evolution. Measuring depression in older adults prior to the strategy showed that there was a high proportion of mild-moderate depression (85.71%).The measurement of depression in older adults after the intervention showed that 90.47% no longer presented data of depression. Conclusions: Occupational therapy has a good acceptance in the elderly and is an adjunct in the treatment of depression, as it provides a sense of usefulness through occupation and volitional activity which contributes to improve their health and sense of lifetime.