Priority 14 from the Occupational Therapy PSP

UNCERTAINTY: How can occupational therapists work effectively with digital technology to enhance their interventions and lives of people who access services? (e.g. using smart devices to manage health and illness) (JLA PSP Priority 14)
Overall ranking 14
JLA question ID 0100/14
Explanatory note In the context of increasing everyday use of digital technology in various aspects of life, this question is about how occupational therapists can use it effectively in the delivery of their interventions and as part of their interventions to support, enable and empower people to manage their own health conditions, live their lives and do the things they need, want or have to do.
Evidence

There is emerging evidence addressing this question but at present it is varied in scope and quality, and is limited. This is an area of uncertainty.
Axford, C., et al. (2018). "iPad applications that required a range of motor skills promoted motor coordination in children commencing primary school." Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 65(2): 146-155.
Burghart, M., et al. (2016). "Validation of a Mobile Device Application for Use in Balance Assessment." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 70: 1-1.
Ciccarelli, M. and A. Hodges (2016). "A personal digital assistant intervention reduced job coaching support hours without reducing work performance among workers with autism." Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 63(6): 441-442.
Dessoye, J., et al. (2017). "The Effectiveness of iPad Handwriting Applications in Improving Visual--Motor and Handwriting Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 71: 242-242.
Edwards, M., et al. (2016). "Use of Tablet Computers by Occupational Therapy Practitioners." OT Practice 21(14): 17-19.
Erickson, K. (2017). "App-Based Mobile Devices in the Occupational Therapy Process." OT Practice 22(17): CE-1-CE-8.
Fischl, C., et al. (2017). "Exploring potential in participation mediated by digital technology among older adults." Journal of Occupational Science 24(3): 314-326.
Giles, A. K., et al. (2017). "MOBI : An Interprofessional Mobile Application for Teaching Use of Ambulatory Assistive Devices." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 71: 149-149.
Harpster, K., et al. (2016). "Tablet-Based Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children With Hydrocephalus." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 70: 1-1.
Kaldenberg, J. and S. Smallfield (2016). "Using the iPad to Facilitate Daily Activity Among Older Adults With Low Vision: A Pilot Study." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 70: 1-1.
Kaldenberg, J. and S. Smallfield (2017). "Training older adults with low vision to use a computer tablet: A feasibility study." British Journal of Occupational Therapy 80(2): 117-122.
Lannin, N. A., et al. (2014). "Occupational therapy training to use handheld personal digital assistant (PDA) devices to address memory and planning difficulties after acquired brain injury: a randomised controlled trial." Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation 45(12): e296‐.
Larsson-Lund, M. (2018). "The digital society: Occupational therapists need to act proactively to meet the growing demands of digital competence." British Journal of Occupational Therapy 81(12): 733-735.
Lawson, S., et al. (2017). "Supporting Stroke Motor Recovery Through a Mobile Application: A Pilot Study." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 71(3): 1-5.
Lin, L.-Y., et al. (2017). "Effect of Touch Screen Tablet Use on Fine Motor Development of Young Children." Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics 37(5): 457-467.
Moran, M., et al. (2016). "Reliability and Validity of a Goniometer Smartphone App." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 70: 1-1.
Pergolotti, M., et al. (2016). "Senior SWAY: A Mobile Application to Predict Fall Risk in Older Adults." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 70: 1-1.
Portnoy, S., et al. (2018). "Graphical Product Quality and Muscle Activity in Children With Mild Disabilities Drawing on a Horizontally or Vertically Oriented Tablet." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 72(6): 1-7.
Ravenek, M. and L. Alvarez (2019). "Use of mobile 'apps' in occupational therapy: Therapist, client and app considerations to guide decision-making." WFOT Bulletin 75(1): 43-49.
Sim, S., et al. (2015). "Comparison of equipment prescriptions in the toilet/bathroom by occupational therapists using home visits and digital photos, for patients in rehabilitation." Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 62(2): 132-140.
Verdonck, M. and F. Maye (2016). "Enhancing occupational performance in the virtual context using smart technology." British Journal of Occupational Therapy 79(6): 385-390.
Walker, B. A., et al. (2016). "A Model for Understanding the Acceptance and Use of Mobile Phone Technology by Older Adults to Facilitate Independence." American Journal of Occupational Therapy 70: 1-1.
Wechter, E., et al. (2017). "Tablet devices: Supporting practitioners to conduct informed conversations." British Journal of Occupational Therapy 80(5): 327-331.
Health Research Classification System category Generic Health Relevance
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples How can OTs work with digital technology to enhance the lives of individuals with mental health problems? ~ How are OTs leading innovation in digital health are? ~ Digital health care development in mental health - how OTs are doing this? ~ How can digital technology eg the use of smart tablets help in rehabilitation? (I'm interested in stroke rehab, which is my area of practice) ~ What is the OT and patient perspective of the above? ~ Digital health care in care homes.
Submitted by Occupational therapists
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0100
PSP name Occupational Therapy
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. 66 (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 27 July 2020