Post-discharge outcome measurement tools in occupational therapy for people with acquired brain injury in Japan: a scoping review

TL;DR

This study reviews tools used in Japan to measure recovery after brain injury, finding a focus on mobility and self-care but gaps in assessing cognition and social aspects.

Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive overview of outcome measurement tools used in post-discharge occupational therapy for ABI in Japan.

Findings

The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was the most frequently used outcome tool (29.5%).

Mobility and self-care were the most emphasized domains in the selected tools according to the ICF framework.

Participation, cognition, and psychosocial outcomes were underrepresented in the reviewed tools.

Abstract

Outcome measurement is fundamental to rehabilitation practice; however, the tools commonly used in occupational therapy after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) may not adequately capture the complex needs of individuals living in the community. This scoping review synthesised the outcome measures employed in post-discharge occupational therapy in Japan and identified the core concepts they assess.

A comprehensive search of nine databases was conducted without restrictions on publication year or language. Search strategies were developed using relevant keywords, and four independent reviewers applied predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure methodological rigour.

Of the 1,188 abstracts screened, 985 articles were excluded, leaving 104 for full-text review. Ultimately, 44 studies met the eligibility criteria, yielding 32 distinct outcome measures. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) (29.5%) was most frequently applied, followed by the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) (9.0%), the Life Space Assessment (LSA) (7.7%), and the Barthel Index (BI) (7.7%). Categorisation of the 11 most frequently used tools according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) revealed a strong emphasis on mobility (26%) and self-care (18%).

These findings reflect both the influence of Japan’s ageing population on assessment priorities and a critical gap in which participation, cognition, and broader psychosocial outcomes remain underrepresented. Broader and more comprehensive assessment strategies are required to address the diverse realities of community life following ABI.

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