[Controlled trials on the efficacy of occupational therapy with elderly. Part II: Evidence for prioritized diseases and disabilities].

Objective: To identify the evidence for the efficacy of occupational therapy on prioritized diseases and disabilities of the elderly.

Method: Reviews, meta-analyses and clinical trials with control group design regarding "occupational therapy" were identified by an electronic search of pubmed and reviewed based on the CONSORT-Statement. The study results were summarised in regard to diseases and commented considering further literature.

Results: A total of 31 studies were identified: 10 on stroke, 6 on dementia, 5 on prevention of falls, growing loneliness or inactivity, 4 on need of nursing care, and 6 on other diseases or disabilities. There is evidence for a positive efficacy of occupational therapy on the level of several controlled trials or reviews.

Conclusion: Especially in Germany, further research specific to occupational therapy is needed in the fields of depression, diabetes mellitus and nursing care in the community.