Introduction: Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition whose pathophysiology is associated with dysfunction of the central and peripheral nervous system. The disorder has orthopaedic, traumatic and neurological origins. Individuals experience sensory, autonomic, trophic and motor symptoms, accompanied by persistent chronic pain. Consequently, individuals with complex regional pain syndrome often face limitations in self-care, productivity, leisure and functional mobility. The occupational therapist plays a key role in restoring functional abilities that support independence in meaningful occupations. The occupational therapist also addresses mental health and social inclusion of the individual with complex regional pain syndrome and collaborates closely with other members of multidisciplinary team. Purpose: The aim was to systematically review what is currently known in the literature about occupational therapy treatment of adults with complex regional pain syndrome. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The search strategy followed the recommendation of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination and was applied across the database CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed and OTseeker using English keywords and the Boolean operators AND and OR. The search also included a manual review of references. Selected studies were evaluated for relevance and quality according to the Joanna Briggs Institute standards. Results: The final analysis included 11 studies with varying levels of methodological quality. A descriptive and thematic analysis was conducted, resulting in the formulation of the following key themes: occupational therapy interventions at the level of body structures and functions, occupational therapy interventions at the level of occupations, assessment tools used in occupational therapy for adults with complex regional pain syndrome and the multidisciplinary approach in the rehabilitation of adults with complex regional pain syndrome. Discussion and conclusion: The review revealed a limited amount of research on occupation-focused occupational therapy interventions. Existing studies highlight the impact of Complex regional pain syndrome primarily on body structures and functions, which is reflected in the selection of outcome measures and interventions at this level. The consequences of these changes are also evident in the performance of daily occupations, where individuals often face limitations in self-care, work and leisure activities. In the field of occupational therapy, clinical practice often emphasizes improving muscle strength, applying desensitization techniques, patient education and promoting engagement in meaningful leisure activities.
|
