Yasi Amanat completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Behavior at the University of California, Irvine. She then pursued her master’s degree followed by her clinical doctorate of occupational therapy degree at the University of Southern California. As a doctoral resident at Keck Hospital of USC, she focused on advancing occupational therapy’s role for patients with head and neck cancer across the continuum of care. Additionally, her interests in diversity encouraged her to develop an initiative to foster cultural humility within clinical care to assist in supporting effective and competent care at her residency site.
Dr. Amanat currently serves as a clinical faculty member at Keck Hospital of USC where she provides direct patient care in acute and outpatient rehabilitation settings. She also continues to focus on occupational therapy programming for patients affected by head and neck cancer and other oncological diseases.
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
2016 | University of Southern California
Master of Arts (MA)
in Occupational Therapy
2015 | University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
in Psychology and Social Behavior
2012 | University of California, Irvine
Newman, R. M., Polo, K. M., Amanat, Y., Campbell, C., Fleischer, A., & Morikawa, S. (2024). Occupational therapy practice guidelines for adults living with and beyond cancer. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(5), 7805397010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.078501 Show abstract
Objective. These Practice Guidelines aim to assist occupational therapy practitioners, educators, and researchers in applying evidence and expert opinion to occupational therapy practice across the cancer continuum of care, including identifying gaps in care. Key focus areas include psychosocial function, fatigue, cognition, pain, sleep, and physical activity. These guidelines can serve as a reference for policymakers, health care professionals, health care managers, regulators, third-party payers, and managed care organizations to manage, reimburse, and set policy.
Method. We examined, synthesized, and integrated the results of systematic reviews, supporting literature, and expert opinion to develop and provide clinical recommendations for practice in the care of adults living with and beyond cancer.
Results. Sixteen systematic reviews with moderate to strong strength of evidence published between 2019 and 2022 served as the foundation for these Practice Guidelines.
Conclusions and Recommendations. To support symptom management for adults living with and beyond cancer, occupational therapy practitioners can consider using psychosocial interventions for anxiety, depression, posttraumatic growth, and overall psychological distress. Practitioners can consider using physical activity interventions for cancer-related fatigue, cognitive performance, and sleep. Practitioners could also consider using interventions for cognition, pain management, and self-management for the improvement of cancer-related symptoms.
Keywords. adult, cancer, occupational therapists, practice guidelines, fatigue, systematic reviews
Morikawa, S., & Amanat, Y. (2023). Occupational therapy and adult cancer rehabilitation. In E. A. Pyatak & E. S. Lee (Eds.), 50 studies every occupational therapist should know (pp. 283-288). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780197630402.003.0041 Show abstract
The articles “Systematic Review of Occupational Therapy and Adult Cancer Rehabilitation,” part 1 and part 2, examine the evidence of the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions on adults with cancer. The systematic review highlights the importance of interventions including physical activity, symptom management, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs, and interventions targeting psychosocial concerns, sexuality, and return to work. Strong evidence indicates that physical exercise is safe and beneficial for most cancer survivors, most notably to address cancer-related fatigue. Strong evidence supports the benefit of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for cancer survivors as well as the benefit of psychosocial intervention in reducing anxiety and depression. Moderate evidence supports the effectiveness of interventions on sexuality and return to work; however, further research in this area is needed. This systematic review provides support for occupational therapy intervention in addressing the activity and participation needs of adult cancer survivors.
Keywords. adult cancer rehabilitation, occupational therapy, oncology rehabilitation, activity, participation, exercise, psychosocial, physical activity
