Evaluating Recovery Through Activity in Mental Health Services V.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the Recovery Through Activity framework used by Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Services in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB)
IRAS ID
276168
Contact name
Catherine Purcell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
Project title\nEvaluating the Recovery Through Activity framework used by Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Services in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) \n\nThis research project will evaluate the use of Recovery through Activity within mental health services, through exploring both Occupational Therapy staff and service user experiences. The research is being carried out through Cardiff University, is funded by KESS2 (Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships) and is in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. \n\nPrevious research has identified that people living with mental ill health often don’t engage activities that are meaningful to them, are often under-occupied, and are one of the most socially excluded groups in the UK. Previous research has also suggested that Occupational Therapists in mental health teams struggle with balancing their occupationally focused roles and generic roles. The Recovery Through Activity manual aims to help people with mental ill health to do activities that are meaningful to them and improve their wellbeing. It also aims to function as a tool for Occupational Therapists to support their core skills, evidence the value of activity, and provide resources for occupationally focused intervention. However, there is no previous research specifically Occupational Therapy staff or service users experiences of Recovery through Activity within mental health services. \n\nThis research has a Case study research design, and has two cases; inpatient mental health services, and community mental health services. Data will be collected via interviews, questionnaires, analysing intervention outcome data and documentary analysis. \n\nThis research project could potentially; inform policy recommendations, inform mental health services, shape occupational therapy practice, and provide future recommendations on how to best utilise Recovery Through Activity as a flexible tool.
Summary of Results
Thank You to Participants A sincere thank you to the qualified occupational therapists, occupational therapy technicians, assistants, and support staff, as well as the service user who contributed to this research. Your insights were essential in understanding how Recovery Through Activity is used in practice.About the Research
This study explored the use of Recovery Through Activity (Parkinson, 2014) in adult mental health services. It was designed as a case study, examining face-to-face implementation as one method and virtual implementation as another.The research was conducted by Savanna Cole, funded by KESS2 (Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship), and sponsored by Cardiff University. The study took place in South Wales.
Data collection involved:
Intervention outcome data from Recovery Through Activity sessions.
Interviews with qualified occupational therapists, occupational therapy technicians, assistants, and support staff.
An interview with a service user who participated in Recovery Through Activity.
Researcher reflections on the implementation of the intervention.Why Was This Research Needed?
Recovery Through Activity is an approach used by occupational therapy staff to support mental health recovery through structured activities and discussions. However, little research had been done on how staff use it in practice, what challenges or opportunities they encounter, and how service users experience it. Understanding these factors can help improve the way Recovery Through Activity is used in the future.Study Objectives
The study aimed to:Explore occupational therapists' experiences – To delve into the roles and experiences of occupational therapists using Recovery Through Activity (Parkinson, 2014), providing insights into how they implement and perceive the intervention.
Identify challenges and opportunities – To uncover the challenges and opportunities faced by therapists in employing an occupationally focused approach within different service delivery formats.
Evaluate service user perceptions – To assess service user perceptions and experiences, particularly focusing on how Recovery Through Activity (Parkinson, 2014) impacts their engagement and recovery process.
Analyse intervention outcomes – To evaluate the effectiveness of Recovery Through Activity (Parkinson, 2014) by analysing existing anonymised intervention outcome data to ascertain measurable impacts on service user wellbeing.Who Participated?
The study involved qualified occupational therapists, occupational therapy technicians, assistants, and support staff, as well as one service user who participated in Recovery Through Activity.What Happened in the Study?
The study used a case study design, examining Recovery Through Activity in two different implementation methods:Face-to-face implementation in mental health services.
Virtual implementation as an alternative delivery method.
Data collection focused on how Recovery Through Activity was delivered, the experiences of those running and attending the sessions, and the impact of the intervention on service users.Key Findings
The study identified nine key themes that provide insights into the use of Recovery Through Activity:Tailoring Recovery Through Activity to individual service user needs – Occupational therapy staff used assessment tools such as the Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA), Interest Checklist, and Role Checklist to personalise Recovery Through Activity for each service user in both formats.
Maintaining a balance between practical activities and educational aspects of Recovery Through Activity – The balance between activity-based and discussion-based elements was maintained by distributing resource packs and using instructional videos in the virtual format to support engagement.
One-to-one support alongside group sessions enhances Recovery Through Activity – Individual support sessions were essential in both formats to help service users address their own goals and overcome challenges. In the virtual format, one-to-one support was particularly useful in building confidence and engagement.
The involvement of community organisations supports Recovery Through Activity – Community organisations helped enhance the virtual format by providing activity packs and guest speakers, which improved engagement and expanded the impact of Recovery Through Activity.
Assessment, planning, and evaluation are key factors in implementing Recovery Through Activity – Occupational therapy staff emphasised the importance of structured planning, assessment, and ongoing evaluation to ensure Recovery Through Activity was relevant to service users' goals and provided measurable outcomes.
Recovery Through Activity supports an occupational approach – The intervention helped service users make positive changes to their daily routines, self-care, and overall wellbeing in both face-to-face and virtual formats.
Group dynamics are a key factor to consider when implementing Recovery Through Activity – Managing group size, screen-time fatigue, and engagement strategies was particularly important in virtual sessions. In both formats, structuring groups effectively helped to create a supportive environment.
Recovery Through Activity supports occupational therapy professional roles – The intervention provided a structured approach that reinforced the role of occupational therapy staff, helping them articulate their contribution to mental health recovery.
The structure and flexibility of Recovery Through Activity supports implementation across settings – The intervention was found to be adaptable, allowing it to be used in both primary and secondary care settings while being adjusted to meet different service needs.
Implications for Occupational Therapy Practice The successful virtual implementation of Recovery Through Activity suggests that it can be an effective alternative to face-to-face delivery, increasing accessibility for service users, particularly during public health crises.
Using assessment tools (such as the OSA, Interest Checklist, and Role Checklist) helped tailor Recovery Through Activity to service users' needs and may be beneficial across different settings.
Balancing practical activities with educational elements was important. In virtual delivery, this was supported through the use of resource packs, videos, and structured engagement strategies.
One-to-one support played a crucial role in both formats, helping service users work towards their individual goals and supporting engagement.
Community partnerships enhanced Recovery Through Activity by providing additional resources, guest speakers, and activity packs, particularly in virtual settings.
Managing group dynamics effectively was key to promoting engagement and reducing barriers, especially in virtual sessions where screen-time anxiety and group size needed to be considered.Implications for Future Research
Further research could explore how different occupational therapy approaches can be adapted for virtual settings, given the successful virtual implementation of Recovery Through Activity.
Studies comparing virtual and face-to-face models of Recovery Through Activity could help refine best practices.
Longitudinal research could examine the long-term impact of Recovery Through Activity on service user outcomes, particularly when delivered virtually.How Has This Study Helped?
This research improves understanding of how Recovery Through Activity supports mental health recovery across different implementation methods. The findings provide valuable insights for occupational therapy staff, service providers, and policymakers on how to effectively deliver and adapt the intervention in practice.Where Can I Learn More?
For further details, the full thesis can be accessed at:https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.pstmrk.it%2F3ts%2Forca.cardiff.ac.uk%252Fid%252Feprint%252F176577%252F%2FNBTI%2FeQ_8AQ%2FAQ%2F5d7d5877-d2de-4faf-8462-297650b11a5a%2F1%2FgXZ1lpuXNj&data=05%7C02%7Capprovals%40hra.nhs.uk%7C21d2095b749e4fcc6f6c08dd65702dc1%7C8e1f0acad87d4f20939e36243d574267%7C0%7C0%7C638778254675682107%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=quqTKmh2vksJkA4NdDlIDOD6fWVfRP3U8zJAMY%2BnouE%3D&reserved=0
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
21/NS/0010
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion