ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between occupational therapy and cognitive function of the long-term care insurance (LTCI) beneficiaries. Methods: Data of 29,436 older adults were extracted and analyzed from the older adults cohort database provided by the National Health Insurance Service. The dependent variable is the nine items of cognitive function evaluated when applying for long-term care insurance for older adults, and the independent variable is whether occupational therapy (OT) service has been received (Yes received OT vs. No received OT). The demographic and clinical characteristics were used as covariates. Regression analysis was used to analyze the association between occupational therapy service performance and cognitive function. The point estimates were presented with 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 29,436 older adults used in the analysis. There were 3,796 (12.90%) older adults who received OT services, and consisted of 1,331 (35.06%) males and 2,465 (64.94%) females. Their average age was 80.38±5.19 years, and the average national health insurance premium quantiles was 3.07±2.78. There were 1,925 beneficiaries who lived in the community and received OT services, and 281 of the beneficiaries (7.40%) had a disability rating. There was a positive association between OT service performance and cognitive function (β = 0.17, 95% Confidence Internal [CI] = 0.10 to 0.24). Conclusion: This study suggested that OT service performance was associated with positive outcomes of cognitive function, indicating that OT service may maintains and enhances cognitive function. The results of this study also suggest the need for OT services for LTCI beneficiaries when LTCI is revised in the future.