An exploration of table tennis as meaningful occupation for adults living with dementia.

Executive Summary This project was conducted in partnership with Table Tennis Scotland (TTS). TTS offer table tennis (TT) coaching and tournaments across Scotland with a specific focus on providing opportunity for people to enjoy the sport. TTS are keen to introduce a dementia specific TT group into their organisation, however, have encountered challenges securing funding. Therefore, it was discussed that it would be valuable to conduct a research project to understand the value this group could offer, to support funding applications. It is understood that the number of adults living with dementia (ALWD) will double over the coming years (World Health Organization 2012). Therefore, there is growing need to explore innovative ways to improve quality of life (QoL) and wellbeing for ALWD. Two methods were selected for this project: case-study and literature review. Case-studies provided by TTS were analysed to understand more about the experience of engaging within TT. Four themes were highlighted which guided the concepts for the literature review. Two literature reviews were conducted; social participation and dementia and physical exercise and dementia. Five articles were reviewed for each and overall eight sub-themes were highlighted. Literature around TT was explored to understand more about its potential as a specific occupation. A gap in research was identified as no research articles on TT and dementia could be sourced. It was found that promoting social participation to ALWD is important for mental wellbeing and staying connected to social engagement can promote greater cognitive outcomes. It was also identified that physical exercise can promote QoL for ALWD. This can lead to greater functional abilities and increased engagement with activities of daily living (ADLs). The adaptable and sustainable nature of TT is appropriate for ALWD and 2 can promote greater cognitive and physical outcomes. Overall, findings from the case-studies and literature review supported the conclusion that TT could act as meaningful occupation for ALWD. Further research is recommended to explore this phenomenon directly. See appendix 1 for the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress conference abstract