Initial evidence for the link between activities and health: Associations between a balance of activities, functioning and serum levels of cytokines and C-reactive protein

Abstract

Growing evidence shows interrelations of psychological factors, neurological and immunological processes. Therefore, constructs like a balance of activities, the so called "occupational balance", could also have biological correlates. The aim of this study was to investigate potential associations between occupational balance, functioning, cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients suffering from a chronic inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy people. Moreover, we wanted to explore potential differences in gender and employment status. A descriptive study in patients with RA and healthy people was conducted using the Occupational Balance-Questionnaire (OB-Quest) and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). Serum levels of cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), interferon alpha (INFα), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), rheumatoid factor (RF) and of CRP were measured. Descriptive statistics, as well as Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearmen's rank correlation coefficients (rs) were calculated. One-hundred-thirty-two patients with RA and 76 healthy people participated. Occupational balance was associated with functioning, cytokines and CRP. The strongest associations were identified in the unemployed healthy-people sample with cytokines and CRP being within the normal range. For example, the OB-Quest item challenging activities was associated with IL-8 (rs=-0.63, p=0.04) and the SF-36 sub-scale bodily pain was associated with IFNα (rs=-0.69, p=0.02). The items rest and sleep (rs=-0.71, p=0.01) and variety of different activities (rs=-0.74, p<0.01) correlated with the SF-36 sub-scale social functioning. Employed and unemployed people differed in their age and CRP levels. Additionally, gender differences were found in two OB-Quest items in that fewer women were able to adapt their activities to changing living conditions and fewer men were overstressed. In conclusion, we found preliminary biological evidence for the link between occupation and health in that the concepts encompassed in the construct of occupational balance were associated with functioning, cytokines and CRP.

Occupational balance in people with type-2 diabetes: A comparative cross-sectional study

“…Based on the existing literature, health issues or chronic medical conditions may affect occupational balance (Matuska and Bass, 2016; Yu et al., 2018). Occupational balance may also have some biological (Dür et al., 2016) or psychological (Yu et al., 2018) correlations.…”

Clinical relevance of activities meaningful to parents of preterm infants with very low birth weight: A focus group study

“…There are no studies reporting health care interventions targeting a transition from a functioning-only status to a balance of activities in parents of preterm infants. Occupational therapists are part of the NICU team [ 48 ] and are using meaningful activities as a means and as an outcome of their interventions [ 49 ]. Therefore, we suggest occupational therapy [ 50 ] to support parents’ engagement in various meaningful activities, beyond those related to their child(ren) and transition towards a balance of meaningful activities.…”

Occupational balance as described by older workers over the age of 65

“…Biological evidence has also been found that indicates associations between occupational balance and the immunological/inflammatory markers, i.e. cytokines and C-reactive protein (Dür et al, 2016). However, previous research has mostly focused on occupational balance among people younger than 65 years of age.…”