In this post, we will be taking a closer look at some of the most popular occupational therapy-related articles recently published across medical journals.

Factors Contributing to Low Academic Performance of First-Generation Students in Occupational Therapy

  • The American Journal of Occupational Therapy
  • March 2025
  • First-generation occupational therapy students report significantly lower levels of academic self-efficacy, engagement, and social integration, all of which are key contributors to their academic underperformance. These psychosocial barriers highlight the need for targeted academic support and mentorship initiatives within OT programs.
  • An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study of 18 students identified modifiable factors affecting academic success, emphasizing the importance of structured institutional interventions to enhance self-confidence, peer connection, and active engagement for this at-risk population.
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The Menu Task in Occupational Therapy: A Qualitative Study of Practitioners’ Perspectives

  • OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research
  • April 2025
  • Occupational therapy practitioners in inpatient rehabilitation settings found the Menu Task (MT) to be a practical and insightful screening tool for assessing functional cognition, emphasizing its ease of use and relevance in identifying patients' real-world capabilities.
  • Despite the need for further refinement, the Menu Task supports core occupational therapy goals by facilitating performance-based assessment of cognitive function, which may contribute to reduced hospital readmissions through more targeted and functional interventions.
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The Role of Animals in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Telehealth Interventions: A Survey of Therapist Perspectives

  • Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics
  • April 2025
  • Occupational therapists incorporating animal-assisted interventions (AAI) into pediatric telehealth sessions reported enhanced therapeutic outcomes, including reduced stress, improved mood, and increased social interaction among clients.
  • Virtual AAI was viewed as a versatile and engaging adjunct to telehealth OT, though practitioners noted implementation challenges, reinforcing the need for thoughtful integration to maximize therapeutic benefit.
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Artificial intelligence-supported occupational therapy program on handwriting skills in children at risk for developmental coordination disorder: Randomized controlled trial

  • Research in Developmental Disabilities
  • April 2025
  • An AI-supported occupational therapy program grounded in the Model of Human Occupation significantly improved handwriting skills in children at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), with large effect sizes noted across multiple domains, including legibility, shape, and alignment.
  • Compared to standard care, the intervention demonstrated superior outcomes across all handwriting subdomains, supporting the integration of AI-driven tools in pediatric neurodevelopmental rehabilitation to enhance functional fine motor performance.
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Occupational Therapy students' Concepts of Learning: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations With Deep, Strategic, and Surface Study Approaches

  • Occupational Therapy In Health Care
  • April 2025
  • Occupational therapy students who endorsed a “transforming” concept of learning consistently demonstrated a stronger deep learning approach, both cross-sectionally and over time, suggesting a sustained link between learning philosophy and study behavior.
  • A “reproducing” concept of learning was associated with more strategic study behaviors in later years, indicating that students’ evolving perceptions of learning may shape their academic strategies and potentially influence long-term educational outcomes.
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Real-world occupational therapy interventions for early-stage dementia: Characteristics and contextual barriers

  • Dementia
  • April 2025
  • Community-based occupational therapy for individuals with early-stage dementia in the UK is inconsistently delivered, with significant variability in access, content, and delivery methods due to contextual barriers such as resource limitations, inconsistent professional recognition, and gaps in the evidence base.
  • Where implemented, interventions commonly include assessment, goal-setting, emotional support, and personalized coping strategies, underscoring the need for a structured program theory that accommodates real-world variability to support future evaluation and standardization efforts.
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Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions on Activities of Daily Living, Cognitive Function, and Physical Function in Middle-Aged and Older People with Chronic Stroke: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

  • Journal of Clinical Medicine
  • March 2025
  • Occupational therapy interventions significantly improved independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) among middle-aged and older adults with chronic stroke, as measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), based on findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis.
  • No significant improvements were observed in cognitive or physical function, though individual studies suggest emerging potential for combined OT approaches incorporating cognitive training, motor rehabilitation, virtual reality, and brain stimulation technologies.
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Person-centered occupational therapy intervention for the prevention of delirium and improvement in occupational performance in elderly patients admitted to an intensive care unit: A randomized controlled single-blinded trial protocol

  • PloS One
  • March 2025
  • First-generation occupational therapy students report significantly lower levels of academic self-efficacy, engagement, and social integration, all of which are key contributors to their academic underperformance. These psychosocial barriers highlight the need for targeted academic support and mentorship initiatives within OT programs.
  • An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study of 18 students identified modifiable factors affecting academic success, emphasizing the importance of structured institutional interventions to enhance self-confidence, peer connection, and active engagement for this at-risk population.
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Burnout in occupational therapy and physiotherapy students: a systematic review of the risk and protective factors

  • Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
  • March 2025
  • This systematic review identified key modifiable protective factors against burnout in physiotherapy and occupational therapy students, including higher resilience and grit, increased physical activity, self-care practices, and stronger support networks from family, peers, and academic mentors.
  • Despite variable study quality, findings underscore the need for targeted wellness and prevention strategies in allied health education programs to mitigate burnout risk and support student mental health and academic success.
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There you have it - a look at some of the most popular occupational therapy articles recently released. Sign up for alerts and stay informed on the latest published guidelines and articles.

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