Interventions to reduce dependency in bathing in community dwelling older adults: a systematic review

Golding-Day, Miriam; Whitehead, Phillip; Radford, Kathryn; Walker, Marion

Abstract

Background

The onset of bathing disability for older adults has been found to be an indicator and potential precursor of further disability. Thus interventions targeting bathing may prevent or delay further disability and the use of health and social care services. The aim of this systematic review was to identify interventions targeted at reducing dependency in bathing for community dwelling older adults, and determine their content and effectiveness in maintaining or improving function and quality of life.
Methods

We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases including: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); MEDLINE; EMBASE; AMED; CINAHL; PsycINFO and OTSeeker. The search took place on 18 October 2016. We included randomised controlled trials, nonrandomised controlled trials, and controlled before and after studies that evaluated an intervention designed to reduce dependency in bathing. Articles were screened for inclusion by two independent reviewers; risk of bias was assessed using quality assessment tools; and data extracted using pre-prepared forms. Disagreements were resolved by discussion and inclusion of a third reviewer.
Results

The search process identified one study for inclusion in the review. This study evaluated a bathing intervention delivered by an occupational therapist following discharge from hospital. Overall, the findings suggest modest improvements in functional ability in favour of the intervention group although the results should be interpreted with caution.
Conclusion

Despite evidence suggesting the importance of addressing bathing difficulties as a means of possible prevention of disability in the ageing process, there is a dearth of evaluative or interventional research studies. Further robust research is warranted, including studies of randomised and controlled design.

Citation

Golding-Day, M., Whitehead, P., Radford, K., & Walker, M. (2017). Interventions to reduce dependency in bathing in community dwelling older adults: a systematic review. Systematic Reviews, 6(1), https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-017-0586-4

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 27, 2017
• Publication Date: Oct 11, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 16, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 16, 2017
• Journal: Systematic Reviews
• Electronic ISSN: 2046-4053
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 1
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-017-0586-4
• Keywords: Older adults; Bathing disability; Activities of daily living; Quality of life
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/887096
• Publisher URL: https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-017-0586-4
• Contract Date: Oct 16, 2017