Occupational therapy interventions in mental health: a scoping review of recent evidence
Abstract
Background/Aims: Studies investigating the effect of occupational therapy in mental health are few. This scoping review aims to identify, present and assess studies that have investigated the effect of occupation- and activity-based/focused interventions performed by occupational therapists in mental health. Methods: The scoping review involved searching six databases, covering articles from 2003 to 2018. ‘The Matrix Method’ was used to describe and synthesise the content of the included studies. The Oxford Level of Evidence was used to rank the evidence, and The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used to assess the quality of the study. Results: A total of 21 original studies and 4 systematic reviews were included in this review. Interventions, approaches, programmes, training, and activities such as cooking, artwork, crafts, pottery, sports, calligraphy, horticulture, and music, organised individually or in groups, were investigated in the included studies. Individualised occupational therapy showed clinically significant improvements in social functioning and cognition, promising results were found on supported employment and education. Conclusions: Few high-quality studies that have investigated the effect of occupation-and activity-based/focused interventions performed by occupational therapists in mental health were found. This scoping review highlights the importance of future high quality studies to support evidence-based practice within mental health occupational therapy.
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The evidence base informing occupational therapy practice in mental health is sparse.
“Interventions that target activity engagement should be developed and evaluated, as the evidence base informing occupational therapy practice in mental health is sparse [21–23].”
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Occupational therapy interventions for adults with severe mental illness: a scoping review
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Petersen, K. S., Bjørkedal, S. T. B., Torsting, A. M., & Eplov, L. F.
- Affiliations
- Aalborg University (DK)
- Mental Health Services (DK)
- Sankt Hans Hospital (DK)
- Venue
- International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Publisher
- Mark Allen Group
- Published
- 2019-09-02
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1-21
- ISSN
- 1741-1645 (ISSN-L)
- 1759-779X
- OpenAlex
- W2978221118
- Semantic Scholar
- ea5cf73a8f7278826c1bef14a898c51c42dadb1d
- Cited by
- 17
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 4.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation (publishedVersion)
- VBN Forskningsportal (Aalborg Universitet) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Therapy Practice and Research
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Conservation › Art Therapy and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- occupational therapy, mental health, occupation-based intervention, activity-based intervention, social functioning, cognition, supported employment, supported education, horticulture, music therapy, art therapy, evidence-based practice
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