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Abstract
Objective: This systematized review synthesizes evidence on occupational therapy (OT) interventions that enhance health, safety, and participation of agriculture workers with disabilities, advancing evidence-based, context-specific approaches in OT practice.
Abstract: Background: Farmers and ranchers have higher rates of injury, disability, and chronic conditions than the general population. These challenge their health and lifestyle (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2024; Miller & Aherin, 2018; Desai et al., 2022).
Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of OT at improving safety, health, and well-being amongst agricultural workers with disabilities.
Design: We performed a systematized review of peer-reviewed literature on OT interventions for injury prevention, health, and well-being in farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Inclusion criteria included English-written quantitative studies.
Method: A medical librarian conducted Medline, Scopus, and CINAHL searches yielding 535 titles and abstracts. Of these, 98 full texts were reviewed, and 7 articles met inclusion criteria. Strength of evidence was based on U.S. Preventive Services Task Force definitions (2018).
Results: 5 themes emerged: Mindfulness training, ergonomic education with exercise, self-management strategies, AgrAbility participation, and population-level safety/adaptive equipment. A IB randomized control trial (RCT) found moderate evidence for acceptance and commitment therapy. A 1B RCT found moderate evidence for ergonomics with exercise. A 2B and 3B study found moderate evidence in self-management. 2 3B studies found moderate evidence for AgrAbility. 1 3B study found low evidence for population-level adaptive equipment.
Conclusion: To improve health, safety, and well-being among farmers with disabilities, OTs should routinely consider mindfulness, ergonomic, and AgrAbility interventions. Tier 1 safety device interventions may be used case-by-case. An interdisciplinary, client-centered, and context-specific approach is most effective. Further controlled studies are needed. The proposal is relevant to practice by outlining evidenced OT interventions for improved wellbeing in farmers with disabilities.
References:
Desai, B., Sahni, S., Jordan, H., Sahni, R., Reinbeau, R., Nguyen, A., & Babalola, O. (2022). Risk of cardiovascular disease in male farmers over the age of 45: A review of literature. Cureus, 14(5), Article e24642. 10.7759/cureus.24642
Miller, C. D., & Aherin, R. A. (2018). The prevalence of disabilities in the U.S. farm population. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 24(4), 243–260. https://doi.org/10.13031/jash.12934
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2024). Agriculture worker safety and health. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/agriculture/about/index.html
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2018). Grade definitions. https:// www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Name/grade-definitions
Publication Date
2025
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Recommended Citation
Edwards, Trinity; Klone, Lauren; Edwards, Madilynn; Morse, Emily; Westmark, Danielle; Smallfield, Stacy; and Whitlow, Molly, "Occupational Therapy Interventions for Health, Safety, & Wellbeing In Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities: A Systematized Review" (2025). Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy. 23.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cahp_ot_sysrev/23
Comments
2025 Copyright, the authors