The first purpose of this study was to clarify the focus of occupational balance in people with mental disorders. The second purpose was to propose assessments and interventions. 18 articles were selected on occupational balance in people with mental disorders focusing on three categories: “occupational areas,” “occupational characteristics,” and “time use.” The areas of focus that could not be classified were examined. Consequently, 16 of the 18 articles were classified into one or more of the three categories, and nine of those were classified into all three categories. The three focuses could not be classified into any of the three categories. To assess and intervene in the occupational balance of people with mental disorders, it is necessary to include all of the following: “occupational areas,” “occupational characteristics,” “time use,” and the subjective views of the participants.

This pilot study examined the effectiveness of an interprofessional working workshop based on the Dissolution Approach for Belief Conflict among 77 rehabilitation staff in a convalescent rehabilitation ward. Among them, 60 participants completed the Assessment of Belief Conflict in Relationship 14 and a questionnaire before and after the workshop. Quantitative and qualitative analyses showed a reduction in belief conflict among some participants and identified facilitators promoting the practice of the approach and barriers hindering its implementation, respectively. The findings suggest the need for structured knowledge of belief conflict and expanded opportunities for post-practice reflection.

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify factors associated with hand-use satisfaction at 12 weeks postoperatively in 47 patients who underwent volar locking plate fixation for distal radius fractures. Multiple regression analyses were conducted with hand-use satisfaction as the dependent variable, and patient demographics, wrist function, and practical hand use in daily life as independent variables. In addition, qualitative descriptive method analyses were performed based on open-ended responses from a questionnaire. The multiple regression analyses revealed that practical hand use in daily life was the most significant factor related to hand-use satisfaction. The qualitative analyses indicated that work participation and psychological impact were also associated with satisfaction, suggesting that improvements in these areas could be beneficial. These findings imply that, through occupational therapy, it is essential not only to assist patients in regaining daily functional tasks tailored to their needs, but also to enhance their self-management abilities of hand function through patient education.

[Objective] To explore the relationship between disability self-awareness and occupational participation among clients with stroke sequelae. [Methods] This qualitative study employed a Structural-Construction Qualitative Research Method (SCQRM). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 participants with post-stroke sequelae. Reflexive thematic data analysis was carried out. [Results] Three themes emerged: “Occupational participation limitations due to emphasis on recovery from disability,” “Flexible approaches with impairment-focused training and occupational participation,” and “Creative adaptation and effort to achieve occupational participation despite impairment.” [Conclusion] Findings suggest that disability self-awareness influences occupational participation. This suggests that individualized interventions based on disability self-awareness by occupational therapists can enhance the quality of occupational participation support.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the differences in occupational participation between healthy elderly and those with mild cognitive impairment living in the community, and to examine the factors associated with mild cognitive impairment. A total of 195 participants (78 healthy and 117 with mild cognitive impairment) were surveyed. The results of a binomial logistic regression analysis indicated that the model had a good fit, as shown by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p=0.25). Productive activities on the SOPI (odds ratio=0.76) and age (odds ratio=1.13) were identified as significant factors associated with the presence of mild cognitive impairment (p<0.05). The relationship between cognitive function and the quality of occupational participation during the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage serves as a valuable indicator for assessing psychological factors. Leveraging this association can help shape preventive strategies starting as early as the preclinical phase.

The use of YouTube videos has been expanding in the healthcare field; however, the relationship between the quality of occupational therapy-related videos and viewer engagement has not been sufficiently examined. This study aimed to analyze the quality and engagement of such videos to provide insights for effective dissemination strategies. Evaluation of 110 videos revealed a mean GQS of 2.76 and a mean modified DISCERN score of 2.73, indicating moderate quality. The mean engagement rate was 0.95% with no significant correlation between quality and engagement (GQS: rs=−0.01, p=0.88; DISCERN: rs=−0.09, p=0.30). These results suggest that effective dissemination requires not only ensuring accuracy and reliability, but also fostering empathy and understanding among viewers.

It has been argued that offering activities that match the abilities of older adults with cognitive impairment is crucial for enhancing their Engagement (quality of activity). This study aimed to elucidate the association between activity level and Engagement in 19 older adults with cognitive impairment who attended day-care services. The Pool Activity Level Checklist was employed to measure activity level, and the Japanese version of the Menorah Park Engagement Scale (MPES-J) was utilized to evaluate Engagement during activity. The results of the association between activity level and Engagement showed significant group differences between activity level and MPES-J scores when exercise was performed, suggesting the importance of providing activities according to activity level.

[Objective] This study aimed to clarify the effects of Head of Bed (HOB) elevation in individuals with Severe Motor and Intellectual Disabilities (SMID) by comparing body pressure distribution and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) with those of the Typical Development (TD) group. [Methods] The subjects were 23 TD and 23 SMID. Body pressure distribution and HRV were measured under two conditions: the supine position and a 45° HOB elevated position. Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed-design Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) following aligned rank transformation. [Results] In both groups, HOB elevation led to an increase in the high-pressure area in the buttocks. In the SMID group, the pressure area ratios were higher in the head and back regions and lower in the leg region compared with those in the TD group. No significant differences were observed in heart rate variability. [Conclusion] Evaluating posture-specific body pressure distributions helped reveal the distinct postural characteristics of individuals with SMID. These findings suggest that with appropriate postural adjustments, HOB elevation may be a feasible and beneficial positioning strategy even for individuals with SMID.

We present a case of a woman in her 50s who underwent staged occupational therapy, which incorporated functional training and elemental movement training, following a modified Oberlin nerve transfer to reconstruct elbow flexion for residual right upper limb paralysis caused by cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Functional training was initiated the day after the surgery, encouraging active elbow flexion while utilizing wrist and finger flexor muscles innervated by the ulnar and median nerves. At eighteen weeks post-surgery, when active elbow flexion improved to MMT grade 3, elemental movement training was introduced to facilitate a return to previous work activities. By thirty weeks post-surgery, active elbow flexion had improved to MMT grade 4, and occupational movements were successfully regained. This case suggests that staged functional and elemental movement training are effective strategies for functional recovery following modified Oberlin nerve transfer.

This study aimed to develop a new handover sheet for patients with orthopedic disorders and cognitive impairment, by identifying the information items that therapists and care staff consider important. The results of a questionnaire administered to 25 therapists and 45 care staff revealed that in addition to ADL, fall risk, and cognitive function, psychosocial factors, such as personality and lifestyle were important to both groups. When patients with cognitive decline move from the hospital to the community, strengthening collaboration between therapists and care staff may contribute to improving the quality of individualized support. Conversely, the target areas and institutions were limited, and issues such as the lack of a client's own factors were also suggested.

This study investigated a virtual reality (VR) driving assessment system incorporating eye-tracking technology to support the resumption of driving in a patient recovering from stroke with attentional deficits. The participant was a man in his 60s who presented with post-stroke attention-related impairments. The VR system allowed the visualization of eye movements in conjunction with steering, acceleration, and braking behaviors. Intervention sessions were designed to promote self-reflection through performance-based feedback. The initial assessment revealed a gaze bias and unstable vehicle operation. After undergoing occupational therapy, noticeable improvements were observed in attention, gaze distribution, and driving stability. The patient subsequently underwent a practical driving evaluation on a closed course and a temporary fitness-to-drive examination administered by the licensing center, after which the resumption of driving was formally approved. A VR-based assessment may serve as a valuable tool for comprehensively evaluating driving readiness in individuals with cognitive impairment after stroke.

This study aimed to investigate the benefits of trips supported by occupational therapists on participants' activities of daily living. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores of two older adults with disabilities were assessed prior to and 1 month after a rehabilitation trip. A male participant with a stroke showed significantly improved FIM motor and cognitive scores after the trip as compared to those before the trip, as well as positive effects on behavior and family relationships. A female with Parkinson's disease showed temporary reductions in motor and non-motor symptoms and improvements in FIM scores. The results suggest that rehabilitation trips supported by occupational therapists can aid in the improvement of subsequent activities of daily living and quality of life in participants and should be investigated in future case series studies.

Original questionnaires are often used to evaluate distinctive community-based educational practices. However, such tools may lack objectivity and comparability, which makes it challenging to assess educational effectiveness. To address this issue, the present study aimed to standardize an original questionnaire and clarify the impact of interprofessional education. We examined the reliability and validity of a community-based interprofessional education assessment questionnaire used in a collaborative program between a university and a vocational school during the 2024/25 academic years. The results supported the reliability, validity, and partial robustness of the developed scale. A two-year comparison using the scale revealed no statistically significant differences, thus corroborating the hypothesis that the educational impact remained consistent over the two years. When no suitable evaluation tools are available for a specific educational program, developing and validating an original scale can be a useful approach for assessing its outcomes.

We tested “family participatory Action Observational Therapy (AOT)” for Freezing of Gait (FOG) in patients with Parkinson's disease who also had dementia and psychiatric symptoms. The ABAB method was used for a single case study, with exercise therapy administered in stages A1 and A2, and AOT administered in stages B1 and B2. AOT was administered within a video observation timeframe that could be implemented even with dementia, and the frequency of AOT was increased with the cooperation of the family to enhance the intervention effect. Criteria for avoiding AOT were also established to eliminate the influence of psychiatric symptoms. Compared to stage A1, improvements in FOG were observed in stages B1 and B2, but expected improvements were not observed from stages A2 to B2. Future testing of this method using a multiple-baseline design with multiple subjects is necessary.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of a meaningful activity-based intervention on self-feeding in a patient with severe cognitive decline and impaired communication following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods: An 84-year-old woman participated in an ABAB single-case design study. A cat-themed coloring activity which was selected based on her life history chart was implemented during the B phases. Outcome measures included the percentage of self-feeding, the Motivation Assessment for Residents in Japan (MARS-J), and the Vitality Index. Phase-wise changes and effect sizes were analyzed using Tau-U and the percentage of non-overlapping data (PND). Results: During phase B1, improvements in attention and motivation were accompanied by an increased percentage of self-feeding. The intervention demonstrated a large effect size (Tau-U=68%, PND=70%). Conclusion: Meaningful activities grounded in an individual's life history may enhance attention and motivation, thereby improving self-feeding performance.

An individualized program using the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach was implemented for a client with schizophrenia who had been hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital for nine years and who demonstrated reduced motivation and initiation. The intervention aimed to support the client in the personal goal of acquiring shaving skills. The program was conducted once a week for a total of 10 sessions, each lasting one hour. As a result, improvements were observed in occupational performance and subjective quality of life (QOL). This case report suggests that the CO-OP approach, which provides opportunities for clients to set their own goals and engage in meaningful activities through a process of trial and error, may be an effective intervention for individuals with schizophrenia.

To gain practical insights into supporting balanced treatment and work in post-stroke return-to-work, we conducted case studies organized by recuperation period. In a short-term recuperation case, although higher brain dysfunction was present, both vocational readiness and workplace preparedness were sufficient. We supported balanced treatment and work to communicate case-specific considerations to the workplace, aiming to prevent poor workplace adjustment and stroke recurrence. The long-term recuperation case involved right-sided hemiplegia combined with higher brain dysfunction and lacked vocational readiness. In addition, the workplace had limited experience in supporting return-to-work. In this case, in addition to using support for balancing treatment and work, we collaborated with employment support agencies to enhance vocational readiness and promote workplace retention after the patient's return to work. These findings suggest that the duration of recuperation should be understood in light of the multifaceted circumstances of the individual's disability status, vocational readiness, and workplace environment. On that basis, it is necessary to consider collaboration with employment support agencies alongside the use of support for balancing treatment and work.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the associations between professional identity (PI), well-being, and stress-related indicators as occupational therapists (OTs). Data were obtained from a survey of 620 OTs in Japan. We analyzed the correlations between the PI scale and well-being status (WHO-5), stress coping skills (SOC-13), and occupational stress (Brief Job Stress Questionnaire: BJSQ). The results showed significant correlations between the PI and each indicator, suggesting associations between PI and well-being and stress-related indicators. Furthermore, we consider that the results could be valuable for screening mental health, occupational stress status, and stress coping skills, as well as determining the necessity of psychological support and PI.