ABSTRACT

Objective : This study aimed to survey and analyze the research literature of Korean occupational therapy in order to identify the comprehensive trends and actual state of occupational therapy research. Methods : Articles published between 1993 (the first issue of the Journal of Korean Society of Occupational Therapy) and 2010 were surveyed, and a descriptive analysis was used to determine the types, topics, study designs, subjects, and intervention methods of the articles. Results : The analysis outcomes of the articles published in the Journal of Korean Society of Occupational Therapy were as follows: (1) The main topic areas were adult and geriatric disorders, (2) the diagnoses were stroke and cerebral palsy, (3) the highest percentage of research in terms of quality classification was level-4 (survey and non-randomized experimental study), and (4) independent variables addressed were the largest frequency of visuoperceptual and cognitive training, with the following sequence of sensory integration therapy and constraint induced movement therapy. Dependent variables were mostly for activities of daily living, followed by visuoperception, behavioral change, and swallowing functionality. Conclusion : Based on these results, further studies are warranted for research topics targeting the highest value in a variety of study populations. Scholarship should be focused on a research design that establishes evidence for occupational therapy approaches and practices.