Introduction: Oncological diseases represent a significant health problem, affecting physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning and significantly reducing quality of life. The disease and its treatment often cause fatigue, pain, reduced physical performance, cognitive difficulties, and limitations in performing daily activities, which significantly impact quality of life. Occupational therapy plays an important role in holistic management of people with oncological diseases, as it promotes independence, engagement in everyday activities, and maintenance of life roles through various interventions. Purpose: The purpose of this diploma work was to review the scientific literature in the field of occupational therapy for people with oncological diseases and to identify which methods, techniques, and strategies are most commonly used. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The literature search was performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and OTseeker databases. A total of 9 articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. The included articles were also assessed for methodological quality and relevance to the research question. Results: The literature analysis showed that occupational therapy interventions most commonly focus on five areas: improving the performance of activities of daily living, fatigue management and energy conservation, psychosocial support and self-regulation, cognitive strategies, and return to work. Occupational therapy interventions are adapted to the individual needs of the person and are delivered in various settings, including hospital, outpatient, home, and work environments. The most frequently used interventions include environmental adaptations, use of assistive devices, activity training, energy conservation techniques, goal setting, education, and various cognitive and psychosocial strategies. Discussion and conclusion: The findings indicate that occupational therapy is an important part of holistic management of people with oncological diseases, as it contributes to improved functional independence, more effective symptom management, greater social participation, and better quality of life. Occupational therapy interventions enable individuals to better adapt to the consequences of the disease and its treatment and support their active engagement in daily life. However, this field remains insufficiently researched, particularly in Slovenia. Therefore, further research and greater integration of occupational therapists into multidisciplinary teams are needed.
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