Promoting holistic recovery for cancer survivors through enhancing occupational harmony: A case report

Background: Oncology rehabilitation requires holistic care that addresses the body, mind, and spirit, yet current treatments are often fragmented. The Model of Occupational Harmony (MOHar) offers a potential framework for supporting comprehensive well-being in cancer survivors. Aims: To illustrate the application of the MOHar in cancer recovery and explore its underlying mechanisms. Material and Methods: A case study was conducted with a female participant diagnosed with both thyroid and breast cancer, who undertook a lifestyle-based intervention grounded in the MOHar. Sleep quality, emotional state, quality of life, and the level of occupational harmony were assessed using scales at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. Sleep patterns and body weight were recorded daily using sleep diaries and logs. Results: The participant’s recovery began with addressing a fear of insomnia, leading to improved sleep and restored daytime energy. These gains facilitated weight management and physical recovery, culminating in a lifestyle rebuilt and a renewed sense of life purpose. Conclusions: This case demonstrates the successful use of MOHar in supporting holistic cancer rehabilitation, integrating physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of recovery. Significance: Highlights how the MOHar fostered comprehensive recovery by mobilising the body’s innate healing capacity through enhancing harmonious human-environmental transactions.