The Purposeful Activity in Chronic Pain: Occupational Therapy Approach

Chronic pain is a situation with pathophysiological, psychological, emotional and empirical dimensions. Occupational therapy has an important role in the management of this multidimensional phenomenon within the interdisciplinary team. The aim of occupational therapy is for the person to competently perform activities of daily living (dressing, feeding, mobility, personal hygiene), professional-vocational activities and leisure activities (hobbies, sport, relaxation). The use of purposeful-goal directed activities can reduce pain and the persons sense of inability and encourage the performance of activities in the above life areas thus promoting the quality of life of the person with chronic pain.

Keywords: Occupational therapy, chronic pain, purposeful activity