Background/Objectives: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) frequently present with feeding challenges that can lead to inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, which can increase their risk of nutritional deficiencies and related health issues. The aim of this scoping review was to describe the main interventions focused on promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in children with NDDs. Methods: Two authors carried out a search strategy in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO using the following terms: “autism OR autistic OR asperger OR rett OR pervasive OR disintegrative OR ‘neurodevelopmental disorder’ OR ‘attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity’”; and the outcome (O): “fruit OR vegetable”. We included all randomized or non-randomized studies, published in English or Spanish, which assessed children’s fruit and vegetable consumption. Results: We included seven articles that applied different interventions, such as a mobile health and behavioral modification program (n = 1), repeated food exposure programs (n = 2), a play-based program with parental training (n = 1); the implementation of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet (n = 1); an intensive interdisciplinary mealtime behavioral treatment (n = 1); and restrictive diets (n = 1). Conclusions: Parent-led behavior changes supported by multidisciplinary teams using play, positive reinforcement, and food modification strategies were the main interventions used to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in children with NDDs. This review supports designing evidence-based approaches to improve feeding challenges in this population.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Health Care (MBHC) Program on informal caregiver (CG) burden and occupational balance, as well as on the functional capacity of people with Alzheimer’s disease cared for. Method: In this randomized controlled trial, 66 CGs were allocated to an MBHC (n = 33) and a treatment as usual (n = 33) group. Data collection included the Zarit Burden Interview, the Occupational Balance Questionnaire, and the Disability Assessment for Dementia. CGs were evaluated at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. A total of 50 (75.6%) and 30 (45.5%) CGs completed the post-intervention and the 3-month follow-up assessments, respectively. Linear regression and generalized linear mixed models were performed to explore the intervention effects. Results: In comparison to treatment as usual, the MBHC intervention was associated with a significant decrease in CG burden post-intervention (β = − 7.04; 95% CI: − 13.19, − 0.88; p = 0.026). Furthermore, MBHC intervention was associated with a significant increase in CGs’ occupational balance right after intervention (β = 6.54; 95% CI: 1.85, 11.22; p = 0.007). However, these positive effects were not statistically significant at the 3-month follow-up. Finally, the functional capacity of the people with Alzheimer’s disease showed non-relevant changes or differences between groups. Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial showed that an MBHC could have a positive impact in reducing CG burden and improving their occupational balance. These results highlight the viability of implementing an MBHC as a cost-effective, community-based care intervention aimed at improving mental well-being in CGs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Preregistration: This study was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov) with ID, NCT03858283.

Lockdown derived from the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to mental health care, prompting the adaptation of therapeutic practices. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics and objectives of occupational therapy (OT) interventions conducted in the field of mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown. A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, OTSeeker, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. We included randomized or non-randomized intervention studies, published in English or Spanish, that explored OT interventions in mental health during the COVID-19 period and/or lockdown. Data were extracted using pre-designed tables in accordance with the recommendations of the Cochrane Handbook. We included seven articles. OT interventions were conducted via video call (n = 4) and in person (n = 3). These were carried out with adults, adolescents, and children, lasting from 1 to 32 weeks, with the number of sessions ranging from 7 to 22 and lasting 20 to 90 min. The most frequently addressed outcomes were quality of life (n = 4), anxiety or depression (n = 4), and sleep (n = 4). During lockdown, OT interventions were mainly applied via telerehabilitation with the aim of increasing activity participation and addressing emotional issues. These results could help occupational therapists to implement mental health interventions when in-person application is compromised.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability, comprise a heterogeneous group of conditions that emerge during the developmental period and may affect cognition, communication, motor function, adaptive behavior, and daily functioning

Background: Acquired brain injury (ABI) affects manual dexterity (MD) and cognitive functions, limiting daily activity performance. Occupational therapy aims to improve functionality and quality of life. Objective: To examine and describe the available evidence on the impact of MD training on cognitive processes and functional performance in adults with stroke, as well as to identify the most commonly used assessment tools and intervention techniques. Methods: Scoping review. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus to identify experimental studies from the last 10 years involving adults with ABI who participated in interventions targeting upper-limb, MD, and cognitive function. A three-phase screening was carried out by two authors with duplicates removed using Zotero version 7.0. Results: Ten articles published between 2016 and 2023 were included. The most frequent interventions involved robotics and virtual reality. Eight studies were conducted by occupational therapists or included occupational therapy involvement, while two were conducted by physiotherapists. Training MD and upper-limb motor skills led to improvements in attention, memory, and executive functions. Conclusions: Findings support combined motor–cognitive interventions carried out by occupational therapists or physiotherapists to optimize rehabilitation outcomes, although further research is needed to strengthen the evidence.

Background/objective: The home environment should foster the independence, participation, and safety of its inhabitants. However, the presence of environmental barriers, especially for individuals with disabilities, can negatively impact their functioning, reducing well-being and quality of life at home. Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in this context, offering holistic evaluation processes and strategies for effective home modifications to improve occupational performance. To our knowledge, no comprehensive mapping of these tools exists. Therefore, this study conducts a scoping review to map and critically describe the home assessment instruments currently used within the field of occupational therapy. Methods: A scoping review following a systematized approach was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR recommendations for scoping reviews, involving an online bibliographic search complemented by the consultation of grey literature. A two-phase screening process was performed to systematically identify the instruments referenced. Results: Ninety-three articles were included, identifying twenty-nine home assessment tools applied in occupational therapy. These instruments presented notable differences in their format, target population, aspects assessed, and the degree of user participation during the evaluation process, among other characteristics. Conclusion: This scoping review mapped 29 home assessment tools, revealing a strong focus on environmental factors but a critical gap in assessing personal factors, occupations, and social roles. While most instruments demonstrate acceptable reliability and validity, there is an urgent need for more robust psychometric studies, tools validated as clinical outcome measures, and the cultural adaptation of holistic, person-centered assessments to effectively guide home modifications. Project Registration, OSF: https://osf.io/8bmu9 .