Revista de Terapia Ocupacional da Universidade de São Paulo
Interdisciplinary publication address to Occupational Therapy field in its interface with health, psychosocial rehabilitation, education and other similar areas.
Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina
Development of an instrument to assess occupational balance in the routine of elderly people: context of Brazil and Portugal.
Population aging imposes new challenges on the assessment of quality of life and occupational participation of older adults. This article describes the development process of the EQO-60+: Occupational Balance Assessment Scale of Daily Activities for Older Adults. Based on the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework of AOTA (4th ed.) and on international instruments, the EQO-60+ comprises 40 items distributed across nine occupational categories. It evaluates both objective and subjective dimensions, such as frequency, time, motivation, meaning, perceived efficiency, and environmental influence. It is intended for independent older adults (60+), within the cultural context of Portugal and Brazil. The inclusion of dimensions such as spirituality and leisure broadens the instrument’s sensitivity. Although still in the validation phase, the EQO-60+ shows potential for clinical, educational, and research use, with plans for brief and digital versions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Berla Moreira de Moraes, Catarina Lino Neto Pereira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Experiences of young women undergoing mastectomy and cancer treatment:a study with narrated body mapping
Breast cancer in young women poses challenges that span physical, emotional, and social dimensions, impacting life projects, work, motherhood, and social relationships. This study aimed to understand the experiences of young women with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy and oncological treatment. This is a qualitative study, using the narrated body map method, conducted with three women diagnosed with breast cancer at the ages of 27 and 28. Body maps were constructed over two individual sessions with each participant, allowing the articulation of visual representations and narratives. These were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, which resulted in five categories: diagnosis and treatment; marks on the body; relationships of affection and care; daily activities and social participation; and new life meanings. The experiences of young women with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy reveal a wide and complex range of factors that reconfigure their lives, especially because illness and treatment occur at a time marked by the uniqueness of the typical projects of early adulthood. Despite the challenges faced throughout the process, these women found ways to elaborate new meanings for their experiences, transforming their ways of conducting life.
Copyright (c) 2026 Thaís Breternitz Lino, Sandra Maria Galheigo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Everyday life experiences, memories and imaginaries: perspectives of children undergoing oncology treatment
Childhood cancer treatment is marked by invasive and unpleasant procedures within a prolonged treatment routine involving numerous hospitalizations, which significantly affect the child’s family, school, and social life. The aim of this study was to understand what it means to be a child undergoing cancer treatment, based on their own experiences. This is a qualitative, descriptive, and participatory study conducted with five children aged 8 to 12 years who were receiving treatment in a pediatric oncology service in the city of São Paulo. A play interview technique was used, combining photo-elicitation with a board game designed for this purpose. The meetings were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. The narratives produced during the game expressed their experiences related to: activities they enjoyed; affections and relationships; experiences of having cancer, undergoing treatment, and being hospitalized; and limitations imposed by the illness. This study made it possible to understand the everyday experiences, memories, and imaginations of hospitalized children undergoing cancer treatment, in relation to what it means to be a child with cancer. Their narratives were permeated by the subtleties of lived experience and child perception, revealing their ways of feeling, thinking, imagining, and sharing their lives within the context of cancer treatment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mariana de Paiva Franco, Sandra Maria Galheigo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Assessment in autism spectrum disorder: the convergence of knowledge and experience between parents and professionals
This study aims to compare the assessments made by Early Childhood Intervention professionals and the families of children with ASD, aged between 3 and 6, in the dimensions of “Social Communication”, “Repetitive Behavior and Reduced Interests” and “Sensory Processing”. The instrument used was the “Assessment Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” by Reis, Pereira and Almeida, in a sample of 77 children with ASD, in mainland Portugal, aged between 3 and 6 years. A descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out using SPSS version 28.0. The results obtained reflect the discrepancies in the assessments given by professionals and families. Parents seem to have a more positive perception of their children's “Social Communication”. The “educational” and “professional” level of the parents had no influence on the evaluations given to the children, as did the “professional category” of the professionals. The “age” of the child was found to have no influence on the assessments made by parents and professionals in the three dimensions under study. The “gender” variable had an influence on the results of the evaluations, and it was found that both the professionals and the parents evaluated female children with ASD more positively.
Copyright (c) 2026 Helena Filipa Lima Gonçalves, Helena Isabel Silva Reis, Ana Paula Silva Pereira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Portrait of mobile device use proficiency among older adults: a comparative study
Digital literacy represents a challenge for older adults’ access and connectivity. In this context, occupational therapists intervene in educational processes to promote the empowerment of older adults for the safe, critical, and reliable use of technologies. This study analyzed whether occupational therapy interventions in digital literacy aimed at older adults impact their level of proficiency in using digital mobile devices and identified factors associated with learning. Forty older adults from the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba participated. The participants were followed for 10 to 12 weeks and completed the Brazilian version of the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire to assess their knowledge in using digital mobile devices (smartphones). The results indicated a significant increase in digital proficiency in both cities, with greater improvement among participants from Curitiba. The study showed that factors such as education and income significantly facilitate the development of digital skills. In turn, other factors, such as support and a methodology centered on the needs of older adults, may also favor the learning process in the use of new technologies. Digital literacy is a fundamental path to promoting autonomy, inclusion, and a sense of self-efficacy among older adults in the current technological context.
Copyright (c) 2026 Maria Clara de Moraes Giri, Roberta Pereira Niquini, Taiuani Marquine Raymundo, Lilian Dias Bernardo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Kinship, resistance, and the futures we make: a conversation with Pamela Block
This conversation brings together critical reflections on disability, care, kinship, and intersectionality through a transnational lens, featuring Pamela Block and interlocutors Lilian Magalhães and Sandra Galheigo. Drawing from both personal and academic experiences, Pamela Block discusses how family structures, institutional expectations, and systemic inequities shape the lives of disabled individuals and their siblings and explores how they co-create futures in contexts often marked by exclusion. The dialogue also addresses the uneven distribution of care responsibilities, particularly in Canada and Brazil, highlighting the ways in which race, class, gender, and immigration status intersect with disability. Attention is given to the social construction of "non-disabled" siblings as default caregivers and the emotional and structural consequences this carries. As Lilian and Sandra draw parallels with Brazilian realities, the conversation underscores the global relevance of these issues while emphasizing the need to resist reductive approaches—whether based solely on class or medical categories. This exchange invites readers to think critically about care, agency, and justice in everyday life, and contributes meaningfully to the broader project of decolonizing disability studies and occupational therapy.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lilian Magalhães, Sandra Maria Galheigo, Pamela Block https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Unveiling the Ambience Device in CAPS III: what is it and what is it for?
The environment is a guideline of the National Humanization Policy that should be practiced in health services in general. In the context of Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS), there is a lack of studies regarding its understanding and functioning. This study aimed to understand the definition and function of the environment from the perspective of professionals and managers working in CAPS III in the municipality of Campinas-SP. This is an exploratory, descriptive study with a qualitative approach, carried out in five CAPS III. Five managers and nine professionals with higher education participated in the research. For data collection, Participant and Service Characterization Forms and Semi-structured Interview Guides directed at professionals and managers were used. The data from the Forms were subjected to descriptive analysis and the interviews to thematic analysis. The results revealed different conceptions of environment, understood as a device that involves relationships, welcoming, and the organization of care, directly influencing the quality of care provided to users. It is considered that a broader understanding of environment contributes to strengthening practices in CAPS (Psychosocial Care Centers) and to consolidating care models aligned with the principles of Psychosocial Care.
Copyright (c) 2026 Erick Gonçalves dos Santos, Giovana Garcia Morato https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Social contractuality in Brazilian psychosocial care: a scoping review
National studies have addressed social contracting in different dimensions, and although some reveal promising results, others highlight the need for advancements in its conception and practice. This research aimed to map and analyze the national scientific literature on the theme of social contracting in Psychosocial Care. Specifically, it aimed to identify theoretical and practical articulations of social contracting in the field of Psychosocial Care, based on the theoretical framework of deinstitutionalization, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and Psychosocial Care. This is a scoping review that adopted the Joanna Briggs Institute approach for scoping reviews as its methodological framework. As a result, 21 studies were included and analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. A concentration of production was observed in the period from 2016 to 2022, highlighting productions from the Southeast region, predominantly in Nursing journals. From the qualitative analysis, three categories of analysis were organized: The importance of financial resources for the realization of social contractualism; Conceptions and practical strategies for promoting social contractualism; The importance of the Habitat setting for the construction of social contractualism. It is considered that social contractualism seems to cut across the studies found and the field of Psychosocial Care itself, deserving emphasis for its role in Psychosocial Rehabilitation processes and the restoration of citizenship.
Copyright (c) 2026 Giovana Garcia Morato, Martha Morais Minatel, Carlos Henrique Ercolin Olivato https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
The experience of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from the perspective of teenagers
Adolescence, understood as a plural and socially situated experience, becomes even more complex when intersected by illness and high-complexity treatments such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Although the procedure offers a concrete possibility of cure and increased survival, hospital discharge does not imply an immediate return to previous life, as the body remains weakened, vulnerable to late complications and restrictions that directly affect social participation. This study aimed to understand, from the adolescents' own perspectives, how their experiences and possibilities for social participation are configured after HSCT. It is a qualitative, exploratory, and participatory investigation, using virtual Discussion Groups as the central methodology. Three female adolescents aged 16 to 17 years, with at least 30 days post-transplant, participated. Meetings were recorded, transcribed, validated, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four main categories were elaborated, addressing the transplant experience, the role of support networks, the future, and the value of peer dialogue. The findings highlight the need for practices that recognize the uniqueness of post-HSCT youth trajectories, ensure their social participation, and promote integrated and humanized care that articulates clinical, emotional, cultural, and social dimensions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Renata Sloboda Bittencourt, Sandra Maria Galheigo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Erratum: Technology and early intervention: video production to support family- centered practices in Brazil
Copyright (c) 2025 Equipe Editorial Rev. Ter. Ocup. Univ. Sao Paulo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
The perspective of individuals with cerebral palsy who use powered mobility: impacts on functional mobility
Introduction: Cerebral palsy is a condition resulting from brain injury that results in changes in movement and tone, impairing functionality, social participation, and the performance of daily activities. Motorized mobility is an effective means of providing independent locomotion to people with functional limitations through motorized devices. Objectives: To analyze the experience of individuals with cerebral palsy using motorized mobility devices. Methodology: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, qualitative study with non-probability snowball sampling. Participants were people with cerebral palsy who use motorized mobility devices. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through thematic content analysis. Results: Four participants were interviewed. The analysis revealed two categories: (1) autonomy in activities of daily living, with the device providing greater independence and enabling the performance of daily tasks without the need for constant assistance; and (2) impacts on social participation, with access increasing participation in public spaces and interactions with friends. However, indoor use still presents limitations due to the equipment's weight. Conclusions: Motorized mobility is an essential resource for promoting autonomy and social inclusion for people with cerebral palsy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Yasmin Letícia Máximo dos Santos, Maria Eduarda da Silva Oliveira, Flávia Calheiros da Silva, Rute Karollayne Santos Nascimento, Alessandra Bonorandi Dounis https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Insisting on revolutions: problematization as a “theoretical weapon” for social therapeutic-occupational practice
In the face of daily life, marked by alienation, which consumes the possibilities of a life with more freedom, it is important for occupational therapists to understand the forces of capitalism that have been devouring the natural, cultural, political and social bases - in the various dimensions, macro-microsocial, of life. Therefore, a revolutionary perspective is needed that has problematization as a "theoretical weapon" to develop an anti-oppressive therapeutic-occupational practice and that has the creation of "zones of freedom" as an intentionality. In order to substantiate this assertion, we discuss two aspects in this essay: the idealistic overcoming that occupational therapy is essentially good and innocent, thus dealing with its potential, already demonstrated by history, to produce violence, so that it is possible to assume a counter-hegemonic technical-political commitment; and, under these parameters, the proposition of occupational therapists as agents of problematization, in actions that contribute to making daily life happen better. It is a matter of understanding History as a possibility, which does not mean denying its cultural, social, political and economic conditioning, but recognizing them as non-determinant, affirming the ethical responsibility of being in and with the world and, thus, insisting on the guideline of transforming it collectively.
Copyright (c) 2025 Magno Nunes Farias, Roseli Esquerdo Lopes https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Life narratives and psychological illness in Primary Health Care
Introduction: Mental illness is a complex experience, shaped by social and health determinants that interconnect uniquely in each individual. Life narratives emerge as powerful tools to reveal the nuances of this reality, offering insights into the meanings attributed to suffering and the paths taken in search of care. Objective: To understand how people in psychological distress recognize their illness experiences, construct their explanatory models, seek treatments, and perceive the impacts on their life trajectories. Methodological procedures: A qualitative exploratory research conducted with seven users of mental health groups in Primary Health Care (PHC) in a municipality in São Paulo. The McGill Illness Narrative Interview (MINI) was used, and the analysis was based on Vygotsky's Cultural-Historical Approach, structuring the results into nuclei of significance. Results: The analysis revealed an intrinsic relationship between suffering and contexts of vulnerability, such as bereavement and caregiving burden. Participants reframe their illness through retrospectives of their family and social history, building explanatory models that often transcend the biomedical paradigm, including spiritual dimensions. Therapeutic itineraries show a search for integral care that combines pharmacological treatment in PHC with religious support, listening groups, and physical activities. Conclusion: The results reinforce the need for integral and humanized care models that value the patient's narrative and combat social stigma. Attention to social determinants and the provision of a diverse support network are crucial to promote resilience and recovery for individuals experiencing mental distress.
Copyright (c) 2026 Thiago Henrique Guimarães Elias, Guilherme Correa Barbosa, Carolina Siqueira Mendonça, Tatiane Carolina Martins Machado, Gabriela Min Ji Kim, Tiago Rocha Pinto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Theater of the Oppressed and training in Occupational Therapy: cartography of workshops with students
Training in Occupational Therapy (OT) with expressive and body awareness activities has a significant presence in the history of this field, and one of these strategies is working with artistic approaches. The Theatre of the Oppressed appears among these methodologies, as it democratizes artistic production and encourages social transformation. Research on the confluence of the Theatre of the Oppressed and OT, based on the experience of an occupational therapist, highlights training experiences with undergraduate students. This fragment of the study focuses on workshop experiences in disciplines geared towards interfaces between art, culture, and health. Characterized as an exploratory study and based on the cartographic research method, retrospective records (written and audiovisual notes) were used as well as interviews with adults who participated in these groups, recapping experiences with theatrical workshops in therapeutic and training circumstances. In the fragment presented, the cartographic analysis considered historical and conceptual intersections, including studies from the fields of OT and the Theater of the Oppressed, with testimonies from students. The study highlights points of reciprocal contribution - sensitive openings, appreciation of everyday life, relations of resistance, art and politics - and emphasizes the potential of the expressive and body awareness practices in the Theatre of the Oppressed and the OT training and practice.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nicole Guimarães Cordone, Erika Alvarez Inforsato https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Chronic pain and occupational therapy: an experience report of a group intervention
Introduction: Chronic pain in rheumatic diseases compromises quality of life, causing physical, emotional, and social consequences and altering performance, repertoire, and occupational engagement, highlighting the importance of occupational therapy interventions. Objective: To describe a group intervention on daily life, chronic pain, engagement, and occupational repertoire in patients with rheumatic diseases. Methodological procedures: A qualitative descriptive study, of the experience report type, based on field diary records of an intern in an occupational therapy outpatient service. The data were analyzed considering the proposal, therapeutic objectives, and patient participation. Results: Six patients participated in five biweekly meetings. The activities addressed health management, recognition of occupational demands, (re)experimentation and engagement in leisure occupations, and social participation. Discussion: Participants showed commitment mainly in leisure activities and social participation. The intervention favored engagement in meaningful activities, promoting autonomy, body awareness, pain modulation, and expansion of the occupational repertoire. Final considerations: The biopsychosocial group intervention, through occupational engagement, proved effective in reframing daily life and promoting pain coping strategies. Limitations related to the sample and context require caution in generalizing the results.
Copyright (c) 2026 Carolina Pestana de Oliveira, Flavia Arantes Táparo, Priscila Blasquez da Costa Leite https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Narrative review on the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the socialsupport networks of elderly people
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the social interactions of the elderly. The study aimed to analyze the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social support networks of elderly people. It is a narrative review based on scientific articles published between 2020 and 2022, selected from the Web of Science database. The descriptors used were: “social relationships,” “social networks,” “social ties,” “social support networks,” and “support networks,” combined with “aged,” “elderly,” and “COVID-19 Pandemic.” The results were subjected to thematic content analysis. The final sample consisted of 23 articles. The content analysis of the results identified the following thematic categories: Social support networks pre-pandemic and their impact during the pandemic period; Factors directly related to elderly people that influenced the behaviors of social support networks during the pandemic; Repercussions of the pandemic on the social support networks of elderly people. The results indicate that digital inclusion and the strengthening of community networks were crucial strategies to minimize the negative effects of the pandemic.
Copyright (c) 2026 Gleicy Ane Brandão Araújo, Maria Helena Morgani de Almeida, Marina Picazzio Perez Batista https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
raditional chinese medicine: intervention with families in the field of child juvenile mental health
Traditional Chinese Medicine resources have been the most widely used integrative and complementary practice in public health services, proving effective in addressing the comprehensiveness of care demands and reducing the use of pharmaceuticals. This study aims to present the group process with families served at a CAPSij (Psychosocial Care Center for Children and Adolescents) based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a qualitative research study with an intervention method aimed at involving families in the analysis of their own reality and in sparking reflections that help them manage the problems experienced in their daily lives. The research instruments were a field diary and group discussions. Six family members participated, in a total of eight meetings held between October and December 2019. The analysis of the group process showed that the meetings enhanced the participants' willingness to take charge of their health care, including changing habits, redefining their role in family relationships, and self-care, essential factors for managing the stressful situations so frequent in daily life. Future studies are expected to strengthen the importance of Integrative Practices in the field of child and adolescent mental health.
Copyright (c) 2026 Antonio José Vasconcelos Araújo, Andrea Perosa Saigh Jurdi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Reading the Reality with Children: Health and Its Social Determinants.
Introduction: The Social Determinants of Health (SDH) emphasize that health and human development are shaped by the environment and experiences that significantly influence quality of life. This study is grounded in the perspective of SDH, highlighting the need for actions that link them with health promotion to foster a greater understanding and address inequalities. Objective: To understand children's knowledge of SDH, exploring their perceptions, with the goal of understanding the relationships children establish between health and its social determinants. Method: A qualitative study inspired by the thematic investigation proposed by Paulo Freire, focusing on the reading of reality of children, conducted in a Non-Governmental Organization in João Pessoa/PB. Data were collected through activity groups and participant observation. The meetings were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the spiral analysis proposed by Creswell. Results: The research findings highlight challenges related to children's understanding of SDH, limiting their ability to comprehend how SDH impact their health and well-being. Conclusion: These initiatives are crucial for developing effective strategies that help children, empowering them to make more informed decisions about their health and seek support when necessary.
Copyright (c) 2025 Victória Beatriz Santos da Silva, Maria Natália Santos Calheiros https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology in Primary Health Care: possibilities and challenges
INTRODUCTION: People with disabilities, especially in low-and middle-income countries, face difficulties in accessing Assistive Technology (AT), because there are some difficulties understanding AT as a health resource with impacts on the possibilities of participation, rather as a technological product. There is a strong tradition about AT restricting it to specialized health services or to experimental projects within universities, with a lack of production in the context of Primary Health Care (PHC). This article seeks to discuss the action of occupational therapy with AT in PHC services. METHODOLOGY: This qualitative exploratory analytical research had as primary source the Laboratory of Studies in Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologie of São Paulo University’s database, produced between 2008 and 2023. The content analysis method was used. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Actions of Occupational Therapy with AT in PHC enables access to healthcare for people with disabilities, with interprofessional teamwork and matrix support as main tool. The demands for AT in PHC can be met through Brazilian Health System and constructed by occupational therapists of low-cost resources in the users' home and coordinated with the community. CONCLUSION: Occupational Therapy needs to debate its actions in the PHC context, to offer comprehensive and resolutive services for everyone.
Camila Cristina Bortolozzo Ximenes de Souza
Copyright (c) 2025 Camila Cristina Bortolozzo Ximenes Souza, Eucenir Fredini Rocha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Assessment tools in pediatric palliative care in the hospital setting: an integrative literature review
INTRODUCTION: Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) refers to the care provided by a multidisciplinary team, aimed at improving the quality of life of children and adolescents, as well as their families, in the face of life-threatening illnesses. In this context, the Occupational Therapist plays a fundamental role, promoting independence and autonomy in daily activities that are affected by the illness and/or treatment. The growing recognition of the importance of palliative care in pediatrics highlights the need for effective tools to assess and guide Occupational Therapy interventions. OBJECTIVE: To map the standardized assessment tools used in the context of hospital PPC. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES: Integrative literature review in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and PubMed databases, in English and Portuguese, from 2012 to 2024. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were identified, indicating 23 standardized assessment tools. These tools were analyzed according to two thematic units: (1) domains of the tools and (2) who answers the tool. CONCLUSION: This review contributed to expanding knowledge about the standardized assessment tools used in PPC, discussing how the domains covered by the tools support occupational therapeutic reasoning.
Copyright (c) 2025 Maria Clara Salgado Ramos, Brunna Mainar de Lima, Carolina Becker Bueno Lopes https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Occupational therapy and palliative care in spinal muscular atrophy type 1: case study
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 1 is a genetic disease that causes severe motor and respiratory impairments, and starts around 6 months of age. This study aimed to analyze occupational therapy (OT) interventions with a child with SMA, from the perspective of palliative care, and to understand the mother's perception of care in OT. This is a single case study of a child with SMA type 1, who experienced seven years of hospitalization and was assisted by the OT. The information was collected from the child's medical record and through an interview with the mother, and qualitatively analyzed. The OT practices were associated with the palliative care approach as they worked on physical, socio/family, emotional and spiritual issues of the child and his/her family. The assistance provided joint experiences (mother and child) of activities that favor the child's development and that are not commonly experienced by hospitalized children with SMA. The study indicated that OT contributed to the well-being of the child and the family during the hospitalization process.
Copyright (c) 2025 Débora da Silva Firino Felismino, Ângela Cristina Dornelas da Silva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Caring for teaching and teaching how to care: body practices in the context of Occupational Therapy training
The teaching of body practices has proven to be an important tool in resistance practices against the biomedical model and fostering the invention of new ways of thinking and producing body practices in healthcare, through the development of dialogical teaching methodologies and postures. Objective: To analyze the meaning of learning body practices for students during their undergraduate training in Occupational Therapy. Method: This is a qualitative, descriptive-exploratory documentary study, using as its primary data source the written records developed by sixth-semester students of the MFT0718 – Occupational Therapy and the body practices II, taught from 2020 to 2024, stored on the Moodle platform, with access restricted to the professor, tutor, and students. Results: The course included theoretical sessions and discussions of body practices; workshops on body work and body journaling; and workshops focused on caring for others and sharing experiences. A total of 152 documents were analyzed. Various benefits in physical, emotional, and well-being aspects were evidenced by the body practices experienced by students and others. Conclusion: The discipline, through dialogic teaching methodologies, encouraged the active participation of students, the embodiment of theoretical-practical knowledge, which transcended the classroom, approaching preparation for professional practice.
Camila Cristina Bortolozzo Ximenes Souza
Copyright (c) 2025 Camila Cristina Bortolozzo Ximenes Souza, Isadora Romagnoli Ribeiro, Rosé Colom Toldrá https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Challenges in Teaching Work in Occupational Therapy Courses in the State of São Paulo
Teaching work is essential for professional training and research, promoting critical reflection and the subjective development of the teacher. However, studies highlight challenges in this work that affect both health and work processes. Objective: To identify the challenges of teaching in Occupational Therapy programs at public universities in the state of São Paulo and their impact on educators' health and work quality. Methodology: A descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach, conducted through semi-structured interviews with Occupational Therapy faculty members at public universities in São Paulo, followed by thematic data analysis. Results and Discussion: Work overload due to a lack of human resources affects health, personal time, work performance, and interpersonal relationships among educators. Nevertheless, the interviewees value the pleasure and social impact of their work. Precarization and the current management model in universities are relevant factors in the challenges mentioned during the interviews, affecting educators' quality of life and work, as well as relationships within the university. Conclusion: The challenges highlighted indicate the need for adjustments in financial and human resources at public universities.
Copyright (c) 2025 Juliana Ayra Yoshimura, Selma Lancman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Wheelchair and dispositives of Assistive Technology: challenges in acquisition and user perception among Wheelchair Baske
Introduction: Wheelchair Basketball is a parasport practiced by people with physical disabilities, and for sports practice, athletes use specific wheelchairs and may employ dispositives of assistive technology to enhance their sports performance. However, the high cost of these devices leads many athletes to seek support in public policies and sponsorships. Objectives: Verify the methods and challenges of equipment acquisition, and identify the athlete’s perceptions of using assistive devices. Methods: A qualitative-quantitative study was conducted using an online questionnaire. Data analysis was performed through descriptive statistics, Bardin's Content Analysis, and Spearman's Correlation. Results: There were 37 participants, the majority with an income of up to three minimum wages, 11 athletes receive state or federal grants, and only 6 acquired wheelchairs through public programs. Many participants reported that the lack of proper fit and the obsolescence of assistive equipment negatively affect sports performance. Additionally, financial conditions and bureaucracy were the main challenges in obtaining the equipment. Conclusions: The study identified weaknesses in the provision of assistive devices and financial incentives through public policies, which may contribute to the disengagement of athletes from sports activities.
Copyright (c) 2025 Joyce Kelly França Domingues, Leticia Gabriela Rodrigues de Souza, Aline Ferrari Fabri, Iranise Moro Pereira Jorge, Ana Carolina Passos de Oliveira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Inclusion of rehabilitative technology in the intervention processes of Brazilian occupational therapists
There is evidence of the benefits of rehabilitative technologies in different age groups and health conditions, demonstrating significant improvements in the occupational performance of individuals. However, it is still unknown how Brazilian occupational therapists have included them in their care processes. The objective of this study is to identify which technologies are being adopted in occupational therapy intervention processes and to understand the main facilitators and barriers to their effective incorporation. This is an epidemiological, descriptive, cross-sectional study done with occupational therapists with at least one year of experience and active registration with the occupational therapy council. Data collection was performed through a structured online form, covering questions about sociodemographic data, professional training and use of technologies. 25 professionals participated, of which 15 use technologies. The main technologies used were computers, tablets, applications and software (100%) and virtual reality (26.7%). 60% of professionals use technology to facilitate the process of acquiring skills and occupational performance, and technology often facilitates the achievement of patients' goals/objectives (73.3%, p≤0.005). Thus, the use of technologies in the intervention processes of occupational therapists in Brazil has shown itself to be a growing and promising practice, with significant potential for improving patients' occupational performance.
Copyright (c) 2026 Thácio Luiz Mercês Silva, Raquel Pereira de Santana, Felipe Douglas Silva Barbosa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Notes on Occupational Therapy research from Northeast Brazil
Introduction: In Brazil, formal research groups play a central role in the production and dissemination of academic-scientific knowledge, being essential for strengthening, advancement, and consolidation of the field. Objective: To characterize Occupational Therapy research groups in higher education institutions in the Northeast region of Brazil and reflect on knowledge production in Occupational Therapy from this region. Method: This descriptive study used qualitative and quantitative approaches, relying on public data from the Lattes Platform. The Directory of Research Groups (DPG) was searched using the term “occupational therapy”, and the Lattes CVs of the researchers in these groups were consulted. Analyses included content analysis of textual material (group and research line names) and numerical analysis of distribution, quantity, and timeframes. Results: Seven research groups were identified in the Northeast. Most (five) included “fundamentals of occupational therapy” in their group or line titles; three were based in Paraíba, and five were certified. Only two leaders and one vice-leader completed doctoral training in the Northeast, and only one leader had a doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Conclusion: Regional asymmetries in Occupational Therapy research in the Northeast reflect historical national inequalities. Researchers should strengthen groups and coordinate efforts to shape the scientific future of the field.
Copyright (c) 2025 Marina Batista Chaves Azevedo Souza, Andrezza Marques Duque https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Materials, tools and difficulties encountered by occupational therapists in the production of low-cost Assistive Technology
Introduction: Occupational therapists are qualified to assess, prescribe, adapt, and produce Assistive Technology (AT) resources and, given the specificities and barriers of the market, produce low-cost adaptations. Objectives: To identify the materials and tools used and the difficulties encountered in the production of low-cost AT resources. Methodological procedures: Cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive study. The sample consisted of occupational therapists registered with CREFITO 1, working in the state of Alagoas. Data collection included questions that characterized the sample, production, materials and tools used, and difficulties encountered in the production of low-cost AT. The data were analyzed using Jamovi software. Results: Most occupational therapists worked in the health field with children and used to produce low-cost, considering the effectiveness of the resource. Production in the area of food stands out. Among the materials, Velcro stands out, and among the tools, scissors, utility knives, and rulers. The main difficulty is the lack of time to produce the resources. Conclusions: In addition to the lack of time to make the resources, which limits customization and user adherence, the limitations were aggravated by the lack of updated publications.
Lara Leticia Bezerra Miranda Vasconcelos Correia
Copyright (c) 2025 Esmeralda da Silva dos Santos, Lara Leticia Bezerra Miranda Vasconcelos Correia, Monique Carla da Silva Reis https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Home participation and contextual factors in childhood disabilities: a cross sectional study during COVID-19 pandemic
Children’s functioning manifests in their participation and is highly influenced by personal factors (as mediators) and environmental factors (as barriers or facilitators), which can either hinder or support their participation. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique circumstance to explore those influences. We investigated whether (i)child’s factors, (ii)home-family environment and (iii) frequency at home participation are associated with involvement in home participation of children with developmental disabilities (DD) during COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional-exploratory study. Ninety parents of children with DD (7.00±3.78 years) answered a standardized questionnaire and the home section of PEM-CY. Multivariate linear regression was run with involvement as a dependent outcome. The frequency at home participation was the first variable to enter the model, representing 48.5% of the involvement. The next variable to enter the model was the child’s motor impairment, representing 56.2% of the involvement together with frequency. The last variable that entered was caregivers that did not work, together representing 58.7% of the involvement. A higher frequency of participation at home, children with motor impairments (instead of intellectual or behavioral impairments) and mothers that are not employed were strongly associated with greater involvement in participation at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings are a small contribution to better understand the relationship between contextual factors that define participation at home during the COVID-19 pandemic
Copyright (c) 2025 Beatriz Helena Brugnaro, Isabelle Gansella Rocha da Costa , Gesica Fernandes, Olaf Kraus de Camargo, Silvia Letícia Pavão, Nelci Adriana Cicuto Ferreira Rocha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Playing in the hospital and the possibilities of family participation: a review of brazilian literature
Introduction: playing is widely addressed in Occupational Therapy. In the case of hospitalized children, it will play a central role in the occupational therapist’s interventions. The child and their family must be considered as a unit of care, considering the centrality of the parents to the child’s well-being. Objective: to identify in Brazilian scientific literature what has been discussed about occupational therapist practices related to playing in the hospital context and considerations regarding family participation. Methodological procedures: mapping review in the SciELO library - Scientific Electronic Library Online and in Brazilian journals in the area, in an open period. Results: 31 articles were included and the content analysis of the material resulted in five thematic axes: (1) Playing as an end in itself; (2) Playing as a resource or strategy; (3) Limitations in the hospitalized child’s play; (4) The assisted family; (5) The family as an active participant. Conclusions: the small number of works that discuss family involvement, more specifically, in occupational therapist practice, when the teme is playing during hospitalization, challenges occupational therapists in the hospital context to rethink their practices, in order to contemplate the family as a care unit.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mariana Oliveira Leite Silva, Maria Paula Panúncio Pinto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0