This study aimed to 1) review research on occupational balance for individuals with mental disorders and 2) clarify the target of occupational balance evaluation. Regarding 1), we conducted a scoping review through searching seven databases, conducting a hand search, and selecting the articles according to the eligibility criteria. As a result, we found 18 articles which were categorized by 13 cross-sectional studies, 2 case reports, and 3 intervention studies. There were no qualitative studies, and two of the studies were conducted in Japan. The knowledge gaps which emerged from this investigation are a limitation of only three intervention studies with different intervention methods, which made generalizations difficult. Furthermore, and there were no qualitative studies. It is necessary to consider the use of instruments developed overseas and to develop new ones.

This study examined the impact of para-sports education on occupational therapy students' (OTS) perceptions of persons with disabilities and their understanding of occupational therapy practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 students who completed a para-sports program (PSP) in 2022, and data were analyzed using the KJ method. The findings demonstrate that learning through para-sports provided OTS with valuable opportunities to deepen their understanding of persons with disabilities and challenge preconceived notions about disability. Additionally, OTS expanded their professional perspectives as future occupational therapists, developing new insights into sports as both a rehabilitation modality and a potential career pathway. These results highlight the significant potential of para-sports education to cultivate disability-inclusive perspectives and enhance professional identity development among OTS.

A head-mounted display (HMD) provides users with a high immersion and presence. This study aimed to compare the effects of an HMD and a conventional two-dimensional display used for motor imagery on mental status, electroencephalography (EEG) power spectrum, and functional connectivity. The participants were 12 healthy individuals engaging in motor imagery immediately after video observation through either an HMD or a tablet display (TD). The motor imagery tasks included finger flexion and block transportation. EEG during motor imagery was recorded with 19 electrodes according to the international 10/20 system. Power spectral and coherence values in the alpha (8-14 Hz) and beta (15-30 Hz) frequency bands were calculated. The results showed that the vividness of motor imagery was significantly higher in the HMD condition than in the TD condition. Moreover, the power spectral values in the alpha and beta frequency bands significantly increased across multiple brain regions. The coherence values were significantly increased in the alpha and beta frequency bands between the frontal-parietal region, corresponding to the frontoparietal network, and between the frontal-occipital region, which is involved in visual information processing. These findings suggest that the HMD may support motor imagery more effectively than TD.

Intervention using a wristwatch-type wearable device that provides repetitive feedback by vibration and alarm has been reported to be effective in improving post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect. In the present study, patients who presented with unilateral spatial neglect after acute stroke were given a wearable device with a vibrating alarm that activated every 30 minutes and were encouraged to use their paralyzed hand in daily activities. As a result, significant improvement was observed in the patients' unilateral spatial neglect and in the patients' perception of neglect symptoms and behaviors. These results suggest the usefulness of the wearable device as an intervention for unilateral spatial neglect.

We present a case of spaghetti wrist caused by self-injurious behavior, where diminished motivation hindered the patient's engagement in self-directed training. The treatment plan included pharmacological intervention, adjustments to the therapeutic environment tailored to the patient's mental state, and supportive therapeutic interactions. With improvement in the patient's psychiatric symptoms, individualized goals were established, and occupational therapy was initiated. This approach resulted in increased participation in self-directed training, leading to functional recovery of the hand and fingers, as well as the successful acquisition of knitting skills, which aligned with the patient's personal interests and needs. This case highlights that, in spaghetti wrist associated with self-injurious behavior, occupational therapy incorporating goal setting adapted to the patient's mental state can enhance intrinsic motivation, foster self-directed training, and support improvements in hand function and the achievement of personally meaningful activities.

Among the subjects of the Medical Treatment and Supervision Act, there are many cases in which the acquisition and generalization of skills are difficult. In this case, the patient's daily living skills such as housework and cooking were low, and she was anxious about her life after discharge from the hospital. As a result of the intervention using skills programming to acquire skills such as cooking and shopping, the patient was able to prepare meals by herself and improved her daily living skills. We believe that the intervention for daily living skills in this case under the Medical Treatment and Supervision Act will increase the value of social life, prevent reoccurrence of harm, and lead to reintegration into society.

This study aimed to retrospectively report on the psychiatric occupational therapy provided a case of schizophrenia and to examine the factors that were effective in preventing rehospitalization from the perspective of the treatment structure. The method was to support the client who was frequently hospitalized with occupational therapy that combined cognitive behavioral therapy, the Wellness Recovery Action Plan, and the Positive Occupation-Based Practice approach to intervention. As a result, the occupational therapy contributed to the client's well-being and extended the time between rehospitalizations. Findings from this practice suggest the importance of incorporating factors such as the combination of flexible intervention approaches according to the client's condition and needs, the development of the therapeutic environment, and the expansion of the objective relationship through occupation into the treatment structure to prevent the rehospitalization of individuals with mental illness.

The client (hereafter referred to as “CL”) suffered from rarefied thoughts of death as a result of chronic depressive symptoms, and presented with acute psychiatric and behavioral disorders due to sedative medications. Occupational therapy focused on the task of “making things,” which was identified in the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), and was reflected on using an Activity Diary. A Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) was also developed to facilitate recovery. As a result, CL acquired new hobbies such as leatherworking and cross-stitching, and by reflecting the acquired occupation in WRAP, CL became more proactive in her recovery efforts. This suggests that an occupation-centered intervention, incorporating the Activity Diary and the WRAP perspective, can enhance the effects of meaningful occupation on CL's mental health and help them to enrich their lives.

This study examined the immediate and long-term effects of exercises using a universal frame on balance ability, as well as changes in daily activities, for a woman in her 20s with cerebral palsy attending a Life Care Service Facility. In the Functional Reach Test, the immediate effect during the intervention program period averaged 1.18, while during the regular program period it was −0.30, indicating a greater immediate effect during the intervention program period. The overall time effect of the Functional Reach Test throughout the intervention period was 0.1, and the Berg Balance Scale improved from 33 to 39 points, suggesting long-term effectiveness. However, the impact on daily activities was limited, suggesting that combining with occupation-based practice may be necessary in the future.

Previous studies have indicated that stroke patients with severe upper extremity paresis have difficulty in attaining the minimum practice threshold to improve function due to an inability to voluntarily move the paralyzed hand. We conducted multiple evidence-based treatment methods for a stroke patient with severe upper extremity dysfunction to provide adequate practice for improvement in function from the acute phase after stroke onset. The results showed that the patient exhibited long-term improvement in upper extremity function and use of the paralyzed hand, which enabled him to use the paralyzed hand in activities of daily living and at work. Such multiple treatments may positively affect long-term upper extremity function through providing practice from the acute phase after stroke onset. Further studies are required to develop practice guidelines for multiple treatments according to recovery stage of severe upper extremity dysfunction after stroke.

[Introduction] We hypothesized that combining Mirror Therapy (MT) with training for patients with upper limb motor paralysis with reduced Motor Imagery (MI) after stroke might improve both MI and upper limb motor function, and we tested this hypothesis. [Methods] Two cases were selected in which task-oriented training was performed, but showed both limited improvement and difficulty in MI recall. During the introduction phase of MT, 10 minutes of MT were added to the task-oriented training for approximately one month.[Results] Both cases showed improvements in FMA-UE and STEF as well as MI assessments including MIQ-RS and mental chronometry. [Conclusions] The combination of MT in the training of patients with reduced MI suggests the potential for improvement in MI and upper limb motor function.

The purpose of this study is to analyze trends in the demand for occupational therapists in the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers program and to clarify their needs and roles. A total of 93 general cases from 2021 to 2023 were analyzed using KH Coder to generate frequency word lists, multidimensional scaling, and co-occurrence network analyses. The results revealed that approximately 80% of the cases were concentrated in Asia and Latin America, with over 80% focusing on the developmental and physical domains. In the developmental domain, regional support centered on special needs education and early intervention was highlighted, while interventions for neurological disorders were prioritized in the physical domain. To enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of these supports, capacity building based on appropriate technology and awareness-raising activities utilizing the Twin-Track Approach were suggested.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of occupational therapists (OT) in the child welfare field who support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in early childhood. A questionnaire with open-ended responses was conducted, and a co-occurrence network diagram was created using text mining. The results showed that the following eight categories were identified, including “Proposal of opportunities to experience group activities and play,” “Intervention based on occupational performance,” and “Life support for children in cooperation with preschools. These findings were consistent with and encompassed the roles associated with child development support, such as “individual support,” “family support,” “transition support,” and “community support and collaboration.” The significance of supporting the lives of children and their families as a central role of OTs in the child welfare domain was highlighted, and the OTs themselves acknowledged this role.