A Intervenção da Terapia Ocupacional em Pacientes Pós-AVC: Uma Análise Bibliométrica

Abstract

Stroke is one of the leading causes of functional disability and dependence, affecting an individual’s physical,
cognitive, and social performance. It can manifest in two forms: ischemic stroke, caused by the obstruction of
a cerebral blood vessel, and hemorrhagic stroke, resulting from the rupture of a vessel and blood leakage into brain tissue, both leading to neurological damage of varying severity. Occupational Therapy (OT) plays a fundamental role in post-stroke rehabilitation, promoting functional recovery, autonomy, and social reintegration. The aim of this study was to analyze the intervention of Occupational Therapy in the functional and social rehabilitation process of post-stroke patients through a bibliometric analysis. A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted based on a narrative literature review, using the PubMed database with the descriptors “occupational therapy and post-stroke or rehabilitation” and a temporal cut-off from 2014 to 2024. The initial search retrieved 902,337 publications, of which 437,303 corresponded to the defined period; after applying exclusion criteria, 976 studies were included. The analysis was conducted using VOSviewer software (version 1.6.1), allowing the mapping of co-authorship networks, keywords, and participating institutions. The results indicate that Occupational Therapy has an increasing relevance in post-stroke rehabilitation, acting in a comprehensive and client-centered manner. Its practice contributes to the development of functional independence, social reintegration, and improved quality of life, reinforcing the need for public policies that ensure early, comprehensive, and continuous access to rehabilitation services, supporting humanized and evidence-based care.