About the Journal
The Journal of Occupation, Inclusion and Neuroscience (JOIN) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to advancing evidence-based knowledge at the intersection of occupation, occupational therapy, neuroscience, rehabilitation, inclusion, and human participation. The journal aims to disseminate high-quality research that enhances occupational performance, health, well-being, participation, and social inclusion across the lifespan.
JOIN welcomes original research, systematic reviews, scoping reviews, methodological studies, case reports, brief reports, and innovative practice papers that contribute to scientific knowledge, clinical practice, education, policy development, and technological innovation.
Scope
JOIN welcomes manuscripts related to, but not limited to, the following categories:
1. Occupational Therapy
Research addressing occupational therapy practice across the lifespan, including assessment, intervention, occupational performance, clinical reasoning, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, community-based practice, environmental modification, hand therapy, health promotion, and evidence-based occupational therapy.
2. Occupational Science
Research exploring the science of human occupation, including occupational participation, occupational engagement, occupational justice, occupational balance, occupational identity, meaningful occupation, occupational adaptation, occupational transitions, and the relationship between occupation, health, and well-being.
3. Neuroscience
Basic, clinical, and translational neuroscience related to cognition, motor control, motor learning, neuroplasticity, sensory processing, executive function, neuroimaging, neurological disorders, and neuroscience-informed rehabilitation.
4. Rehabilitation Sciences
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation research focusing on neurological, physical, cognitive, psychosocial, musculoskeletal, and community rehabilitation, including telerehabilitation, virtual rehabilitation, digital rehabilitation, home-based rehabilitation, and interdisciplinary models of care.
5. Inclusion & Acceptability Studies
Research promoting inclusion, accessibility, equity, diversity, participation, disability studies, inclusive education, universal design, independent living, workplace inclusion, health acceptability, implementation outcomes, user experiences, and person-centered services.
6. Mental Health & Well-Being
Research related to mental health, psychosocial rehabilitation, occupational balance, emotional well-being, quality of life, recovery-oriented practice, resilience, stress management, community mental health, and participation across the lifespan.
7. Assistive Technology & Digital Health
Research focusing on assistive technologies and digital health innovations, including virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics, wearable technologies, mobile health (mHealth), telehealth, digital therapeutics, serious games, gamification, rehabilitation engineering, Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), and smart rehabilitation systems.
8. Pediatrics & Development
Research related to pediatric occupational therapy, child development, neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder, sensory processing, learning disabilities, executive function, early intervention, family-centered practice, and school-based rehabilitation.
9. Geriatrics & Healthy Ageing
Research addressing healthy ageing, geriatric rehabilitation, dementia, frailty, cognitive ageing, fall prevention, active ageing, community participation, occupational engagement, independence, and quality of life among older adults.
10. Community & Public Health
Research focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, community participation, community-based rehabilitation, occupational justice, population health, environmental health, healthy lifestyles, global health, health equity, and public health interventions that improve participation and well-being.
11. Pedagogics & Special Education Support
Research related to educational innovation, inclusive pedagogy, special education support, occupational therapy education, clinical education, competency development, curriculum innovation, simulation-based learning, teacher development, learner-centered practice, educational accessibility, and professional development.
12. Innovation & Emerging Perspectives
Research presenting innovative concepts, emerging technologies, implementation science, knowledge translation, instrument development, psychometrics, outcome measurement, clinical trials, mixed-methods research, interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence synthesis, and transformative approaches that advance occupation, inclusion, neuroscience, rehabilitation, and healthcare innovation.
Keywords
Occupation • Occupational Therapy • Occupational Science • Neuroscience • Neurorehabilitation • Rehabilitation Sciences • Inclusion • Participation • Disability Studies • Mental Health • Well-Being • Assistive Technology • Digital Health • Artificial Intelligence • Virtual Reality • Augmented Reality • Robotics • Telehealth • Pediatric Rehabilitation • Child Development • Geriatrics • Healthy Ageing • Community Rehabilitation • Public Health • Health Promotion • Special Education • Inclusive Education • Occupational Justice • Human Participation • Evidence-Based Practice • Health Innovation
