Henrietta Williamson McNary (1905-1962) was active in occupational therapy during a time that focused on the need to identity and articulate the conceptual foundations including defining the profession and explaining the principles, process, and procedures that established occupational therapy as an independent discipline as opposed to the limited role of physician extender that primarily carry out physicians’ orders (Coulter & McNary, 1931). In addition, following World War II, the concept of rehabilitation involving the whole person (physical, mental, social and vocational) was introduced that expanded the existing concept of restoration which was limited to physical or mental function (West & McNary, 1956). More comprehensive client evaluation and client focused intervention gained traction. McNary was one of the principle speakers and writers to use her roles as AOTA president and program director as platforms for expressing her ideas.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a virtual dementia simulation on occupational therapy (OT) students’ empathy levels and propose practical rationales for optimizing future dementia care. A within-subjects pre-post design was used to collect quantitative data. Qualitative data was collected through focus groups to provide contextual depth and insight into the quantitative data. Students (N = 39) participated in a one-time virtual dementia simulation and a one-hour focus group debriefing session. The Kiersma-Chen Empathy Revised Scale (KCES-R) was administered pre-survey and post-survey. Quantitative data revealed a significant difference in level of empathy pre- and immediate post-survey. Qualitative findings revealed four distinct themes: (1) Walk a Mile: Discovering Empathy, which explored personal empathy development; (2) System Overload, reflecting the complexity and intensity of the simulation; (3) Reflective Practitioner, highlighting the importance of self-reflection in professional growth; and (4) Context Matters, emphasizing the significance of understanding individual and systemic contexts in healthcare delivery. The themes collectively captured the transformative nature of the simulation experience and its potential to reshape students’ professional perspectives and empathetic approaches to patient care. These findings support using virtual simulation in educational practice for healthcare students to increase empathy toward individuals with dementia.

This quantitative study aimed to investigate their self-reported stress levels and work factors that could help to predict occupational stress in pediatric occupational therapists. A cross-sectional survey design study used voluntary response sampling of 154 pediatric occupational therapists. Two-thirds of the surveyed therapists reported moderate to dangerous levels of workplace stress. Analysis of the scores on the Workplace Stress Scale and the Work Environment Impact Scale-Self Report demonstrated a significant positive relationship. In addition, the negative correlations on both of these scales with the scores on the Scales of General Well-Being-clinical tool were significant. Multiple regression analyses resulted in one significant predictor of increased occupational stress and decreased well-being: married marital status. The significant well-being predictors of occupational stress were calmness, connection, autonomy, awareness, optimism, and development. These findings provide new insight into occupational stress and the general well-being of pediatric therapists, which may affect their health, employee retention, and professional sustainability.

Background Recidivism presents significant barriers to occupational performance and community reintegration. Individuals transitioning from incarceration often face structural stigma, limited access to meaningful occupation, and disrupted occupational identity. These challenges fall within the scope of occupational therapy, yet the profession’s role in reentry remains underexplored in the literature. Objective In this study, we set out to explore the lived experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals and examine how recidivism affects occupational performance and community participation. Methods This qualitative study used a phenomenological design with in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with nine formerly incarcerated individuals. Data were analyzed thematically using an inductive approach, with rigor supported by bracketing, member checking, and peer debriefing. Results Five central themes emerged, (1) occupational disengagement and mental health barriers; (2) environmental barriers and systemic stigma; (3) structured occupational engagement as a protective factor; (4) the role of social support and mentorship; and (5) the need for individualized rehabilitation approaches. In addition, one intersecting theme was identified across all narratives: the scarcity of resources and support systems post-release. Participants described diverse reentry experiences but consistently emphasized systemic and occupational barriers to reintegration. Conclusion Occupational therapy has the potential to play a critical role in supporting reentry through trauma-informed, identity-driven, and community-integrated interventions. Addressing structural stigma and building therapeutic alliances may be essential strategies for both practice and advocacy.

The purpose of this project was to investigate sitting pressure distribution in manual wheelchair users while propelling across different surfaces, and whether differing terrain would generate more significant pressures on the sitting surfaces compared to others. Sitting pressure refers to any pressure experienced by any body tissue while sitting but is generally on the buttocks, dorsal thighs and lower back for individuals who can maintain a typical sitting posture of flexed ankles, knees, and hips along with an upright torso that is in midline. Wheelchair sitting pressure was measured on 39 adult novice wheelchair participants. Participants self-propelled and were pushed across three surfaces. Results were that self-propulsion generates greater sitting pressure on the wheelchair user compared to being pushed across three different surfaces of carpet, tile and concrete (ps <.0167). The integral pressure was greater during passively traversing on carpet compared to concrete (p=.002). During active propulsion, carpet elicited greater pressure than both tile and concrete surfaces (ps<.0167). Occupational therapists should consider the impact that passive versus active wheelchair propulsion and floor surfaces have upon wheelchair sitting pressure.

This study measured the effectiveness and feasibility of therapeutic drumming for autistic children, targeting the meaningful occupational components of authentic social and personal participation of children. A 6-week therapeutic drumming intervention was implemented interprofessionally in two early-childhood classrooms with ten autistic children (N = 10), ages two through six. Two outcome measures were completed pre- and post-intervention: the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC-3), the Social and Personal Relationship Scale (SPRS). Descriptive statistics on pre- and post-intervention mean scores were generated and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to determine the areas where mean score changes were statistically significant. Significant differences were found between each component of the SPRS, and on two BASC-3 subsections (e.g. response to teacher, transition movement). Misalignment between language on the BASC-3 and neurodiversity affirming practice was identified as a notable limitation of the study. Feedback collected from lead facilitators regarding efficacy and implementation feasibility was collected via interview following the program. The implication of this pilot study provides preliminary evidence supporting the effectiveness and feasibility of therapeutic drumming, which must be further explored.

This project aimed to explore the experiences of occupational therapists working in a specialist orthopedic hospital. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight occupational therapists working with total hip replacement patients, in an orthopedic hospital within the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) as part of a service review project. The data was recorded and transcribed and analyzed using the Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Six themes emerged from the data; (1) pre-operative intervention should be provided for all THR procedures, (2) pre-operative occupational therapy is key to timely discharge, (3) patient education is an important part of pre-operative occupational therapy intervention, (4) predicting some patients’ needs pre-operatively can be challenging, (5) certain patients need to have post-operative occupational therapy and (6) occupational therapists with greater experience are more confident to treat patients pre-operatively. Thus, occupational therapy appears to be key to facilitating the rapid discharge of total patients in the current climate of accelerated pathways of care, as a comprehensive pre-operative occupational therapy service reduces the need for post-operative intervention for certain patients.

This qualitative narrative study describes the stories of persons with Long COVID. Four individuals participated in semi-structured interviews with photo elicitation. Thematic analysis yielded six themes: symptom complexity, deep emotional impact, changes to daily life, not being believed, navigating healthcare alone, and positive influence of social support illustrating that persons with Long COVID experience major changes in their bodies, routines, and relationships. The results can inform occupational therapy services by encouraging occupational therapy practitioners to pursue updated Long COVID-specific continuing education and address the functional limitations, role competencies, support systems, and life priorities of these clients.

Ostomy surgery is a life-saving procedure extending an individual’s life span. However, the emotional impact can negatively influence body image and quality of life. This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of mental health interventions provided pre and/or post-operative to ostomates. Two reviewers independently screened 2,759 titles and abstracts and 377 full-text studies. Twelve studies met the criteria for inclusion. The findings indicate that ostomates of all ages and genders benefit from mental health interventions to improve function, body image, and psychological outcomes. Healthcare practitioners should incorporate body image management into rehabilitation to improve ostomates’ quality of life.