What is the occupational therapy role in interstitial cystitis?

• A. Provide behavioral strategies to manage urinary symptoms.
• B. Schedule urodynamic testing.
• C. Prescribe medications.
• D. Reduce complications of urinary urgency and incontinence, lifestyle support in managing symptoms and removing irritants.

Answer: (D)

Focusing on how symptoms affect daily life and participation is the central idea. Occupational therapy helps people manage interstitial cystitis by reducing the impact of urinary urgency and pelvic pain on everyday activities, planning daily routines around bathroom needs, and modifying the environment to minimize triggers. It also includes education on bladder-friendly lifestyle changes and avoiding irritants that can worsen symptoms, all aimed at preserving independence and quality of life. Medication management and testing scheduling fall outside OT scope, handled by physicians, while broader behavioral strategies are part of OT but best understood in the context of reducing symptom burden through daily-life adaptations and lifestyle modifications.