MOHO and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Model of Human Occupation
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MOHO and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Date: Wed, February 14, 2007 10:22 am
We are interested in hearing from anyone who has used MOHO within
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME. We are looking to pilot an assessment
possibly OSA or OCAIRS and would value any feedback or advice on the
appropriateness or success of these assessments or any other ideas that
may help inform our practice.
Thank you
Jo-Anne Mount & Helen Albon
Date: Sun, February 18, 2007 9:21 am
Jo-Anne,
Certainly we have done a lot of thinking about this and have put some
of it into practice and applied it to research. We are just at the
beginning, however. MOHO theory has influenced my private
psychotherapy practice with individuals with ME/CFS. Additionally, in
collaboration with Gary Kielhofner and Jessica Keller, I am using the
OSA in a longitudinal study of adolescents with post-infectious
fatigue but results are not yet ready for release. Also, Gary and I
have published two articles on this topic and there is also a chapter
in my book. There is also a chapter coming out in Dumont and
Kielhofner's book that touches upon this. Citations are below. I hope
you find this helpful. Renee Taylor
Taylor, R.R., Kielhofner, G.W., Abelenda, J., Colantuono, K., Fong,
T., Heredia, R., Kulkarni, S., & Vazquez, E. (2003). An approach to
persons with chronic fatigue Syndrome based on the Model of Human
Occupation: Part One, Impact on Occupational performance and
participation. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 17, 47-61.
Taylor, R.R. & Kielhofner, G.W. (2003). An Occupational Therapy
Approach to Persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Part Two,
Assessment and Intervention. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 17, 63-87.
Taylor, R.R. (2006). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Illness
and Disability. New York: Springer.
Kielhofner, G. & Taylor, R.R. (in press). Volition: The Motivational
Dimension of Health, Illness, and Impairment. In Dumont, C. &

Kielhofner, G. (Eds) Positive Approaches to Health. New York: Springer.
Renee R.Taylor
Date: Mon, February 19, 2007 8:51 am
Dear Helen,
I work in a CMHT in north wales, and have used the OCAIRS on 2 people to
date who have CFS as well as moderate / severe depression. I found the
OCAIRS to be very useful in highlighting for the client the specific areas
they need to work on as well as having a nice easy way of showing change. I
did use it in conjunction with a number of othere assessments and tools.
1. The volitional questionnaire
2.Social functioning scale
3. DAS - dysfunctional attitude scale?
4. As well as using negative / rational though response diaries.
A part of the treatment has been looking into causation, and looking at
'with these 2 clients', the perfectionalist traits that they have, coping
skills enhancement, and problem solving has been high.
With a systematic approach to graded activity / exposure both of these
people are back to high levels of functioning. I also worked closely with
the GP and both clients were put on high doses of EPA oils.
Hope thats some help
Neil
Date: Mon, February 19, 2007 9:19 am
Helen-
There have been several position papers on MOHO and CFS. The OSA was an
assessment that was used.
There has also been some qualitative research done on chronic pain using
MOHO as a framing theory.
Here are some references you may find useful:
Taylor, R. R. & Kielhofner, G. W. (2003). An Occupational Therapy Approach
to persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Part two, assessment and
intervention. Occupational Therapy in Health Care 17[2], 63-88.

Taylor, R. R., Kielhofner, G., Abelenda, J., Colantuono, K., Fong, R.,
Heredia, R. et al. (2003). An approach to persons with Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome based on the Model of Human Occupation: Part one, impact on
Occupational Performance and Participation. Occupational Therapy in Health
Care, 17 (2), 47-62.
Padilla, R. & Bianchi, E. M. (1990). Occupational therapy for chronic
pain: Applying the model of human occupation to clinical practice.
Occupational Therapy Practice 2[3], 47-52.
Jessica Kramer, MS, OTR/L