Title: Occupational Therapy in Prevention of or Recovery from Stress-Related Exhaustion

Background: Sick leave due to long-term stress is on the rise in Finland and other western countries. Occupational therapists might contribute to the prevention of and/ or recovery from stress-related exhaustion.

Aims/Objectives: To describe what is known of occupational therapy contribution internationally in the prevention of or in recovery from exhaustion due to long-term stress.

Material and Methods: A five-step scoping review included papers published from the years 2000 to 2021 from six databases. Extracted data was summarised to show the occupational therapy contribution within the literature.

Results: There were 25 papers found that met the inclusion criteria. A limited number of papers describing preventive interventions were found. Most articles described occupational therapy group interventions aimed for recovery. The occupational therapists contribute towards prevention but mostly recovery in many multi-professional interventions resulting in stress reduction or return-to-work.

Conclusions: Occupational therapy that involves stress management both prevents and supports recovery. Occupational therapists internationally use craft, nature activities or gardening as stress management

Significance: These findings lift occupational therapy as a potential treatment for stressrelated exhaustion in Finland.