Introduction: Hospitalized patients with chronic illnesses often experience restricted autonomy, reduced social interaction, and diminished quality of life, which negatively impact psychological well-being and occupational participation. Lifestyle Redesign®, developed by the University of Southern California, is an occupation-based health promotion model that fosters healthier lifestyles through knowledge dissemination, experiential learning, reflection, and behavioral change. While this model has demonstrated effectiveness in community-dwelling older adults, its application in hospitalized patients with chronic illnesses has been less frequently examined in research.
Objectives: This study assessed the impact of an occupational therapy intervention based on Lifestyle Redesign® on well-being, quality of life, and engagement in meaningful activities among hospitalized patients with chronic illnesses. It also examined whether occupational participation contributed to improvements in psychological health.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed with pre- and post-intervention assessments. Eighteen hospitalized patients completed a five-month intervention (17 sessions) covering occupational balance, joyful living, meaningful activities, and financial management, combined with experiential learning (e.g., volunteering, exercise, nature engagement, and food appreciation). Quantitative measures included the Happiness Scale, WHOQOL-BREF (Taiwan version), and Taiwan Meaningful Activity Participation Assessment (T-MAPA). Paired-sample t-tests analyzed changes, supplemented by qualitative feedback from patient supervisors.
Results: Moderate to high correlations were observed between pre- and post-intervention scores (r = 0.706–0.875, p < .01), indicating score stability. No significant differences were found across measured variables (p > .05). However, qualitative feedback highlighted increased occupational engagement, improved social interaction, and enhanced autonomy in daily activities.
Conclusion: Although statistical significance was not achieved, qualitative findings suggest potential improvements in autonomy, occupational balance, and social participation. Future research should increase sample size, extend intervention duration, and integrate