Utilisation of mobile apps in neurological rehabilitation practice among occupational therapists in India: a cross-sectional survey

TL;DR

This study explores how occupational therapists in India use mobile apps for neurological rehabilitation, finding that nearly half use them mainly for client engagement.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into app usage patterns and challenges among Indian occupational therapists in neurological rehabilitation.

Findings

42% of occupational therapists in India use mobile apps in neurological rehabilitation.

Apps are primarily used as intervention tools rather than assessment tools.

Client engagement is the main reason for app use, but barriers like technological unfamiliarity persist.

Abstract

There is an increasing trend in the utilisation of mobile applications (apps) and smartphones in rehabilitation. This study aims to explore the utilisation of mobile apps among Occupational Therapists (OTs) in neurological rehabilitation practice in India.

We employed a cross-sectional survey design, convenience sampling, and snowball sampling methods to identify the study participants. An online questionnaire comprising 28 questions was sent to the participants. Quantitative data were analysed using Jamovi V2.3.32, and the qualitative data (open-ended questions) were analysed using content analysis.

The study revealed that 42% of OTs working in neurological rehabilitation practice in India utilised mobile apps in clinical practice. Most participants reported using such apps as an intervention modality (80%) rather than an assessment tool (40%). Client engagement was the most common reason for using apps, and the effectiveness of apps is perceived to be the same or better than that of traditional methods. Despite the presence of facilitators, such as client engagement and active participation, barriers, such as limited knowledge and technological unfamiliarity, were identified.

This study highlights the significant proportion of occupational therapists who incorporate mobile apps into neurological practice, along with their perceived barriers and facilitators. Addressing such barriers through user-centric and practitioner involvement can maximise the potential of app-based practice in neurological rehabilitation by occupational therapists.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-026-14098-w.

This study investigated the use of mobile apps by occupational therapists in neurological rehabilitation practice in India, offering a comprehensive examination of a relatively underexplored field.

This study utilised a structured approach by employing the Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model for analysing facilitators, barriers, and future recommendations related to the use of mobile apps, allowing for a holistic understanding of app integration into occupational therapy practice.

The survey's limited sample size may not reflect the entirety of occupational therapists working with clients experiencing neurological conditions in India.

Moreover, it is worth noting that the survey tool was tailored for this study and lacked psychometric properties.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-026-14098-w.