OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITALIZATION: AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TELE-REHABILITATION INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

As the digitalization of healthcare systems progresses, occupational therapy is adapting by integrating telerehabilitation modalities. The findings include an updated synthesis of telehealth occupational therapy interventions provided separately and with interdisciplinary health care teams. They expand occupational therapy's scope of practice to include interventions provided across the lifespan for rehabilitation and habilitation needs and include effectiveness by conditions. The aim of this narrative review is to synthesize the evidence regarding the effectiveness, safety, and limitations of telerehabilitation interventions applied within the field of occupational therapy, to evaluate implementation and equity factors, and to propose practical recommendations for clinicians and policymakers. Existing literature suggests that in certain clinical contexts (for example, post-stroke recovery), telerehabilitation provides outcomes comparable to shortand medium-term face-to-face therapies; evidence specific to occupational therapy is promising but heterogeneous, and issues related to equity and standardization remain significant barriers.