Introduction/Rationale: Participation in life situations in People with neurological conditions (pwNC) is often restricted due to physical, social and environmental factors. Social isolation is common and has been associated with increasing feelings of depression and apathy and reduced life expectancy. Opportunities for altruism, such as volunteering, support the sense of self-efficacy, providing a real-world social environment to train in physical and cognitive compensation strategies. However, there is limited research on volunteering as an intervention for those with neurological conditions.
Methods/Approach: This research aimed to develop a volunteering intervention for pwNC. The Medical Research Council (MRC) framework was used as a guideline to inform the development of a complex intervention. Specifically, this researchcontained 3 studies: a scoping review mapped the current literature on volunteering for pwNC, unable to work;focus groups of stakeholders, pwNC, health care professionals and volunteering services were used to refine program theory; a usability study to test initial implementation and refine the intervention.
Results/Practice implications: The developed intervention can be considered usable by pwNC. The intervention consists of guiding pwNC to find a suitable volunteer activity and carry it out according to their ability. However, multiple improvements to the intervention regarding supportive appointment coordination, placement, and technical aspects should be considered. The results warrant testing the feasibility of the adapted intervention.
Conclusion/Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: The development of an intervention to reduce social isolation; A co-production with the involvement of pwNC.