Ergotherapy

Ergotherapy, commonly referred to as occupational therapy, is a health profession dedicated to enabling people to participate in meaningful daily activities. Practitioners work with individuals across the lifespan who face physical, cognitive, mental health, developmental, or social barriers to participation. The overarching goal is to promote independence, health, and well-being through purposeful activity.

OTs assess abilities, environments, and routines, then design client-centered interventions to improve or restore functioning. Settings include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, clinics, community agencies, and home care. Populations served include people recovering from injury or surgery, those with chronic conditions, children with developmental challenges, older adults, and individuals with mental health needs. Interventions may address activities of daily living, work skills, education, and leisure.

Techniques include task-specific retraining, energy conservation, cognitive strategies, sensory integration, motor planning, assistive devices, adaptive equipment, seating and positioning, home and workplace modifications, and caregiver education. The emphasis is on enabling participation in valued activities and improving safety and quality of life. Evidence supports certain interventions, but practice is generally individualized and research continues to grow.

History and professional status: Ergotherapy developed in the early 20th century alongside rehabilitation and the moral treatment movement. It evolved toward a distinct profession with licensure, credentialing, and core standards. Training typically requires graduate-level education (often a master's degree) and professional registration or licensure, with ongoing continuing education. The field draws on occupational science, which studies humans’ engagement in daily life.