This proposed research project focuses on evaluating a community mental health intervention, Recovery Through Activity (RTA). RTA is a standardised occupational therapy programme that is well established and routinely delivered across mental health services in Ireland and the UK. Despite its widespread implementation, there is limited empirical research examining its feasibility, effectiveness, and acceptability to participants. The proposed project is a collaboration between the discipline of occupational therapy at Trinity College Dublin and the HSE Occupational Therapy Mental Health Services. Access to existing clinical data will be facilitated by the agency sponsor, and ethical approval will be obtained from the HSE Reference Research Ethics Committee (RREC) Dublin and Midlands Area prior to commencement.
RTA is currently delivered across three community mental health occupational therapy services within the agency sponsor’s catchment area, with seven programmes operating in total. The estimated sample comprises 50-60 participants. Data routinely collected by programme facilitators include standardised pre and post intervention outcome measures, demographic information, and attendance and engagement logs.
This exploratory, mixed-methods pilot study aims to examine the outcomes of RTA. The specific objectives are to: (1) investigate changes in participants’ activity engagement and self-perceived recovery following programme completion, and (2) analyse programme attendance, engagement patterns, and completion rates. Quantitative data analysis will be conducted using SPSS (Version 30). Qualitative feedback from participant evaluation forms will be examined using content analysis to explore experiences and perceptions of the programme.
Key outputs of the project will include a written report to be shared with clinical teams, which may also be developed into an academic paper with guidance from the academic supervisor. In addition, findings will be disseminated in a poster presentation at the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI) Annual Conference, supporting knowledge translation.