Project Meaningful Activities and Recovery

Occupational therapy interventions are often part of the treatment and rehabilitation services offered to people with mental illnesses. Occupational therapy can be an important contribution when the purpose is to promote participation in everyday activities that are meaningful for the individual. (1-3) There is limited evidence to support whether occupational therapy interventions for people with mental illnesses have an effect. (2,3) Based on principles from Lifestyle Redesign®, which is an evidence-based occupational therapy intervention for older people, a comparative qualitative study with participant experiences from various psychosocial rehabilitation efforts, and a dialogue-based collaboration with experienced occupational therapists and peer staff from community mental health centers, we developed a new recovery oriented occupational therapy intervention to people with disabilities due to mental illness. The intervention "Meaningful activities and recovery" (MA\&R) - is an eight-month rehabilitation program. The aim of MA\&R is to enable participation in activities that are meaningful to the individual. Project Meaningful Activities and Recovery (MA\&R) is a clinical trial where the purpose is to compare the effects of: 1) "Meaningful activities and Recovery" (MA\&R) in addition to standard care and 2) standard care as it is now offered to people with psychiatric disabilities. The design is a randomized clinical trial with self-reported assessments. Based on sample size calculation, 128 participants will be included in the trials. The primary endpoint is activity engagement, and the secondary effect goals are personal recovery, functioning and quality of life. Participants are followed up at the end of the intervention, after eight months.