{"id":6113,"date":"2025-06-02T05:10:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T05:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/2025\/06\/02\/investigacion-accion-participativa-una-metodologia-para-comprender-y-transformar-diferentes-realidades\/"},"modified":"2026-05-25T12:24:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T12:24:08","slug":"participatory-action-research-a-methodology-for-understanding-and-transforming-different-realities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/2025\/06\/02\/participatory-action-research-a-methodology-for-understanding-and-transforming-different-realities\/","title":{"rendered":"Participatory Action Research: a methodology for understanding and transforming different realities"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Texto&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Participatory Action Research (PAR) is a methodology focused on investigating a situation through the active involvement of the people who live within a given reality.  Rather than conducting research <strong><em>about<\/em><\/strong> them, knowledge is created <strong><em>with<\/em><\/strong> them, recognising and drawing on their lived experience as a source of information. This approach is grounded in the principle that those who face situations of injustice or social inequality are best placed to provide insight into them. Participants take on a leading role in every phase of the process: from defining the problem to implementing the actions needed to address it (1,2).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">This entry therefore aims to introduce occupational therapists to PAR at both a theoretical and practical level. We also invite you to explore the website <a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\">metodologiasparticipativas.com<\/a>, a resource designed for those wishing to deepen their understanding of this methodology and you will be able to take part in our own participatory dynamic!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3421\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"602\" height=\"339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen1.png 602w, https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen1-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 602px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Participatory Action Research in Occupational Therapy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">In occupational therapy, PAR proves valuable by combining active participation, self-determination, and empowerment to build collective knowledge and transform realities. This methodology draws on lived experience and community bonds, and provides a framework that alternates and integrates reflection and action in order to develop an in-depth understanding of complex issues. Participatory dynamics take this a step further: they promote co-creation, facilitate dialogue, and enable the design of contextualised solutions. In this way, PAR enriches professional practice, strengthens a sense of belonging, and offers a tangible guide for social change.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">These processes can be integrated across a range of settings to:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<li>Develop in-depth assessments of local realities.<\/li>\n<li>Recover knowledge that is frequently rendered invisible.<\/li>\n<li>Collectively identify problems and opportunities.<\/li>\n<li>Collaboratively design contextualised solutions.<\/li>\n<li>Strengthen community bonds and a sense of belonging.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3424\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"387\" height=\"273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen2.png 387w, https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen2-300x212.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 387px) 100vw, 387px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">An interesting example within our profession is the study \u201c<em>Game Changers: A participatory action research project for\/with students with disabilities in school sport settings\u201d<\/em> (3), which illustrates how PAR can be applied in educational settings to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities. In this case, students with disabilities participated actively alongside teachers and researchers, working collaboratively to create adapted sporting spaces and empower students with disabilities. The study highlights the importance of active student participation: the students themselves made decisions that had a direct impact on their well-being within the school context \u2014 an environment was created in which they could make choices, express their needs, and transform their own reality in their schools.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">A further example is the study <em>\u201cDeveloping a fall prevention program in an inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation unit: A participatory action research study\u201d <\/em>(4), which applies PAR within a rehabilitation unit for people with spinal cord injury. Through the active participation of both service users and professionals, a falls prevention programme was developed. This study underscores the role of PAR in generating practical solutions to a specific problem.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Finally, an example drawn from the EQo-Mental Project of the InTeO (<a href=\"https:\/\/inteo.umh.es\/eqomental\/\">https:\/\/inteo.umh.es\/eqomental\/<\/a>) demonstrates how PAR can be applied with parents of children attending an early intervention centre (EIC), with the aim of identifying which meaningful activities they have stopped engaging in and what they can do to resume them. In practice, groups were organised at each EIC, creating spaces where parents could share experiences, reflect on their reality, and actively participate in transforming it. These sessions sought to identify needs, propose actions, and build connections with other families in similar situations. Further information is available here:  <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/53rvGDsieOM?si=OG6cSsk1CwzI-Iry\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/53rvGDsieOM?si=OG6cSsk1CwzI-Iry<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Taken together, these three examples show how PAR can be adapted to different contexts, yielding valuable insights. However, like any methodology, its application also presents challenges. It is important to note that PAR requires time and flexibility on the part of researchers, which can make implementation difficult in resource-limited settings. It should also be kept in mind that, although PAR is a flexible methodology, rigour is essential: participatory dynamics must be carefully planned and data collected precisely. Nevertheless, when applied correctly, PAR offers a unique opportunity to build knowledge alongside participants.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><em>I am an occupational therapist working in a clinical setting. How can I use PAR?<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">PAR can be a valuable methodology for clinical practice. As a collaborative approach, it enables the design of interventions that are more closely aligned with the real needs of the people we work with. As a result, PAR allows us to step back from the expert role and shift an active part in the process to service users, enabling them to participate in decision-making.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">For example, if working as an occupational therapist in a mental health unit, PAR could be used to identify \u2014 together with service users \u2014 that one of their main concerns is the lack of meaningful activities during the afternoons, which causes them distress. From there, PAR-based sessions could be designed to address this problem alongside them, generating ideas such as cooking workshops or reading groups, and then working together to put them into practice. This example is supported by evidence for the use of PAR in occupational therapy with people experiencing mental health difficulties (5).<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/1.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;1&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/drive.google.com\/uc?export=download&#038;id=19H6ZrN2FTDXOlOu3QTbGnQiFVQe7rBqi&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Download&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/2.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;2&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/drive.google.com\/uc?export=download&#038;id=15bvHWSjrFHEDPYed1DrF_y6hVXguFxSI&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Download&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Texto&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u2018Metodolog\u00edas Participativas\u2019 website <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Library of participatory dynamics: a key resource for PAR<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u2018Metodolog\u00edas Participativas\u2019 is a library that brings together, documents, and shares participatory dynamics to inspire, facilitate, and strengthen collective processes of learning, action, and research. Its purpose is to offer an accessible and practical resource for those working in the design and facilitation of transformative processes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Through these dynamics &#8211; ranging from well-known and classic approaches to more original and innovative concepts &#8211; the web library aims to support professionals, educators, researchers, activists, and community organisations in creating meaningful participatory experiences.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Each dynamic includes descriptions, step-by-step guidance, adaptation tips, materials, platforms, and recommendations on how to implement the dynamics both in-person and online, along with practical inspiration such as examples and useful resources.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Some examples of PAR dynamics<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/dinamicas\/mapa-de-empatia\/\">Empathy map: <\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A visual technique for collectively exploring what different community actors see, feel, hear, and think.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/dinamicas\/caminata-diagnostica\/\">Diagnostic walk:<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A collective walk through a given territory in which participants observe and discuss significant elements of their environment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/dinamicas\/linea-del-tiempo\/\">Timeline:<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A collaborative visual construction of local history that identifies milestones, moments of change, and determining factors.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/dinamicas\/phillips-6-6\/\">Phillips 6\/6:<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Groups of six people discuss a topic for six minutes and then share their conclusions with the wider group.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/dinamicas\/arbol-de-soluciones\/\">Solution tree:<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A visual representation in which the roots represent concrete actions, the trunk the strategies, and the branches the expected outcomes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Alongside these dynamics, it is valuable to explore less widely known approaches, adapt them to the needs of the group, or even develop entirely original dynamics designed specifically for each context and purpose.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_4,1_2,1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/3.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;3&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Imagen&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/drive.google.com\/uc?export=download&#038;id=1hQE7SuIh1n2q8A3l2k_JY6U59sBScWe6&#8243; button_text=&#8221;Download&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Texto&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">PAR is a methodology that enables the generation of knowledge from lived experience, involving participants as active agents in the research process. Throughout this entry we have explored how its principles can enrich our profession, along with several examples that illustrate its applicability. From InTeO, we invite you to continue exploring these research methodologies; the platform <a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\">metodologiasparticipativas.com<\/a> can be a good starting point for those wishing to discover different participatory dynamics.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>And you, how would you bring participatory dynamics into your own professional practice?<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">We invite you to take part in our own participatory dynamic: a short digital exercise designed to exchange perspectives, inspire one another, and keep learning together from our experiences. It is completely anonymous. <a href=\"https:\/\/play.questiory.com\/presentation\/0e22558e-8b53-4a3c-8de6-b90a253014a2\">Participate here.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>References<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Cornish, F., Breton, N., Moreno-Tabarez, U. et al. Participatory action research. Nat Rev Methods Primers 3, 34 (2023). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43586-023-00214-1\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43586-023-00214-1<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Baum F, MacDougall C, Smith D. Participatory action research. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2006;60(10):854\u20137. Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/jech.bmj.com\/content\/60\/10\/854\">https:\/\/jech.bmj.com\/content\/60\/10\/854<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Robinson, Daniel B et al. \u201cGame Changers: A participatory action research project for\/with students with disabilities in school sport settings.\u201d Frontiers in sports and active living vol. 5 1150130 (2023). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fspor.2023.1150130\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fspor.2023.1150130<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Rahimi S, Khankeh HR, Ebadi A, Mohammadian B, Eghbali M, et al. (2024) Developing a fall prevention program in an inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation unit: A participatory action research study. PLOS ONE 19(7): e0304320. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0304320\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0304320<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Javadizadeh E, Oudshoorn A, Letts L, Barbic S, Shanoff C, Marshall CA. Participatory research with persons who experience mental illness in occupational therapy: A scoping review. Can J Occup Ther. 2024;91(2):203\u201321. Available from: <a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1177\/00084174231212760\">http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1177\/00084174231212760<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Texto&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; link_option_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/paula-noce-94b062222\/&#8221; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; global_module=&#8221;3748&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2496\" style=\"width: 256px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/paula-noce-94b062222\/\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2496\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2496\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2024\/06\/Imagen2-e1773424198368-246x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"246\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2496\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>M\u00aa Paula Noce<\/strong><br \/>Graduada en Terapia Ocupacional por la Universidad de M\u00e1laga y M\u00e1ster en Terapia Ocupacional en Neurolog\u00eda por la Universidad Miguel Hern\u00e1ndez. Doctoranda en el Programa de Salud P\u00fablica, Ciencias M\u00e9dicas y Quir\u00fargicas. Colaboradora del Grupo InTeO.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; link_option_url=&#8221;https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<div id=\"attachment_3430\" style=\"width: 110px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3430\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-3430 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3430\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Metodolog\u00edasParticipativas.com<\/strong><br \/>Biblioteca online de din\u00e1micas, t\u00e9cnicas, talleres y m\u00e9todos participativos.<\/p><\/div>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Texto&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Noce, P., &amp; MetodologiasParticipativas.com (2025, june 2).\u00a0<em>Participatory Action Research: a methodology for understanding and transforming different realities. <\/em> PublicaTO \u2013 Scientific Skills in Occupational Therapy by InTeO. <a href=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/2025\/06\/02\/investigacion-accion-participativa-una-metodologia-para-comprender-y-transformar-diferentes-realidades\/\">https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/2025\/06\/02\/investigacion-accion-participativa-una-metodologia-para-comprender-y-transformar-diferentes-realidades\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=&#8221;C\u00f3digo&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><pee>This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license noopener\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><img src=\"https:\/\/licensebuttons.net\/l\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/88x31.png\" alt=\"Licencia Creative Commons\"><\/a><\/pee>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Participatory Action Research (PAR) is a methodology focused on investigating a situation through the active involvement of the people who live within a given reality. Rather than conducting research about them, knowledge is created with them, recognising and drawing on their lived experience as a source of information. This approach is grounded in the principle [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21252,"featured_media":5455,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">La Investigaci\u00f3n-Acci\u00f3n Participativa (IAP) es una metodolog\u00eda centrada en investigar una situaci\u00f3n a trav\u00e9s de la implicaci\u00f3n activa de las personas que viven una determinada realidad. En lugar de investigar <strong><em>sobre<\/em><\/strong> ellas, se crea conocimiento <strong><em>con<\/em><\/strong> ellas, reconociendo\/utilizando su experiencia como fuente de informaci\u00f3n. Este enfoque parte del principio de que quienes enfrentan situaciones de injusticia o desigualdad social son quienes mejor pueden aportar informaci\u00f3n respecto a ellas. Las personas participantes asumen un rol protagonista en todas las fases: desde la definici\u00f3n del problema hasta la implementaci\u00f3n de las acciones para solucionarlo (1,2).<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Por ello, esta entrada tiene como objetivo acercar a los\/as terapeutas ocupacionales a la IAP, a nivel tanto te\u00f3rico como pr\u00e1ctico. Asimismo, os invitamos a explorar la plataforma web <a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\">metodologiasparticipativas.com<\/a>, un recurso dise\u00f1ado para quienes quieran profundizar en el uso de esta metodolog\u00eda, y, \u00a1podr\u00e1s formar parte de nuestra propia din\u00e1mica participativa!<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3421\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"602\" height=\"339\" \/><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Investigaci\u00f3n-Acci\u00f3n Participativa en Terapia Ocupacional<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">En terapia ocupacional, la IAP resulta \u00fatil al combinar la participaci\u00f3n activa, la autodeterminaci\u00f3n y el empoderamiento para construir conocimiento colectivo y transformar realidades. Esta metodolog\u00eda se basa en la experiencia vivida y los v\u00ednculos comunitarios, y proporciona un marco que alterna\/integra reflexi\u00f3n y acci\u00f3n para comprender a fondo las problem\u00e1ticas. De esta forma, las din\u00e1micas participativas dan un paso m\u00e1s: promueven la co-creaci\u00f3n, facilitan el di\u00e1logo y permiten dise\u00f1ar soluciones contextualizadas. De este modo, la IAP enriquece nuestra pr\u00e1ctica profesional, fortalece el sentido de pertenencia y ofrece una gu\u00eda tangible para el cambio social.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Estos procesos pueden integrarse en diversos \u00e1mbitos para:<\/p><ul style=\"text-align: justify;\"><li>Desarrollar diagn\u00f3sticos profundos de las realidades locales.<\/li><li>Recuperar conocimiento frecuentemente invisibilizado.<\/li><li>Identificar colectivamente problem\u00e1ticas y oportunidades.<\/li><li>Dise\u00f1ar soluciones contextualizadas colaborativamente.<\/li><li>Fortalecer los v\u00ednculos y sentido de pertenencia.<\/li><\/ul><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3424\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"387\" height=\"273\" \/><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Un ejemplo interesante en nuestra profesi\u00f3n es el estudio \u201c<em>Game Changers: A participatory action research project for\/with students with disabilities in school sport settings\u201d<\/em> (3), que muestra c\u00f3mo la IAP puede aplicarse en contextos educativos para promover la inclusi\u00f3n de personas con discapacidad. En este caso, participaron activamente estudiantes con discapacidad, junto con docentes e investigadores\/as, trabajando de forma colaborativa para crear espacios deportivos adaptados y empoderar a los alumnos\/as con discapacidad. Este estudio resalta la importancia de la participaci\u00f3n activa de los estudiantes, quienes tomaron decisiones que impactaron en su bienestar dentro del contexto escolar. Es decir, se gener\u00f3 un entorno donde los propios estudiantes pudieron tomar decisiones, expresar sus necesidades y transformar su realidad en los institutos.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Otro ejemplo es el estudio <em>\u201cDeveloping a fall prevention program in an inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation unit: A participatory action research study\u201d <\/em>(4), un estudio que usa la IAP en una unidad de rehabilitaci\u00f3n de personas con lesi\u00f3n medular. A trav\u00e9s de la participaci\u00f3n activa de usuarios\/as y profesionales, se cre\u00f3 un programa de prevenci\u00f3n de ca\u00eddas. De tal manera, este estudio subraya el papel de la IAP para generar soluciones pr\u00e1cticas a un problema concreto.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Por \u00faltimo, un ejemplo basado en el Proyecto EQo-Mental del Grupo InTeO (<a href=\"https:\/\/inteo.umh.es\/eqomental\/\">https:\/\/inteo.umh.es\/eqomental\/<\/a>) ense\u00f1a c\u00f3mo la IAP puede aplicarse en padres y madres con ni\u00f1os\/as que acuden a un centro de atenci\u00f3n temprana (CAT), con el objetivo de identificar qu\u00e9 actividades significativas han dejado de realizar y qu\u00e9 pueden hacer para recuperarlas. A nivel pr\u00e1ctico, se organizaron grupos en cada CAT, generando espacios de encuentro donde padres y madres pudieron compartir experiencias, reflexionar sobre su realidad y participar activamente en su transformaci\u00f3n. Estas sesiones buscaron identificar sus necesidades, proponer acciones y formar v\u00ednculos con otras familias en su misma situaci\u00f3n. Puedes ver m\u00e1s informaci\u00f3n aqu\u00ed: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/53rvGDsieOM?si=OG6cSsk1CwzI-Iry\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/53rvGDsieOM?si=OG6cSsk1CwzI-Iry<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">En definitiva, estos tres ejemplos muestran c\u00f3mo la IAP puede adaptarse a diferentes contextos, aportando informaci\u00f3n valiosa. Sin embargo, como toda metodolog\u00eda, su aplicaci\u00f3n tambi\u00e9n cuenta con desaf\u00edos. En primer lugar, es importante destacar que la IAP requiere tiempo y flexibilidad por parte de los\/as investigadores\/as, lo que puede dificultar su implementaci\u00f3n en entornos con recursos limitados. Adem\u00e1s, hay que considerar que, aunque se trate de una metodolog\u00eda flexible, es fundamental aplicarla con rigor, planificando adecuadamente las din\u00e1micas y recogiendo los datos de forma precisa. Aun as\u00ed, cuando se aplica correctamente, la IAP ofrece una oportunidad \u00fanica para construir conocimiento con los\/as participantes.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Si soy un\/a terapeuta ocupacional que trabaja en el \u00e1mbito cl\u00ednico. \u00bfC\u00f3mo puedo usar la IAP?<\/em><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">La IAP puede ser una metodolog\u00eda \u00fatil para la pr\u00e1ctica cl\u00ednica. Al tratarse de un enfoque colaborativo, permite dise\u00f1ar intervenciones m\u00e1s ajustadas a las necesidades reales de las personas con las que trabajamos. En consecuencia, la IAP nos permite salir del rol de expertos, para trasladar el papel activo a los\/as usuarios\/as y permitirles que formen parte del proceso de toma de decisiones.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Por ejemplo, si somos terapeutas ocupacionales en una unidad de salud mental, podr\u00edamos usar la IAP para identificar junto con los\/as usuarios\/as, que uno de los principales problemas es la falta de actividades significativas para ellos\/as durante las tardes, lo que les genera malestar. A partir de ah\u00ed, podr\u00edamos plantear sesiones fundamentadas en la IAP para solucionar este problema junto a ellos\/as (obteniendo ideas como talleres de cocina, grupos de lectura, etc.). Tras ello, podr\u00edamos trabajar en conjunto para ponerlas en marcha. Este ejemplo se apoya en la evidencia que respalda el uso de la IAP en el \u00e1mbito de la terapia ocupacional con personas con problemas de salud mental (5).<\/p><p><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3439\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/1-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3433\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/2-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Plataforma web <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/\"><strong>Metodolog\u00edas Participativas<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Biblioteca de din\u00e1micas participativas: Un recurso clave para la IAP<\/em><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Metodolog\u00edas Participativas es una biblioteca que re\u00fane, documenta y comparte din\u00e1micas participativas para inspirar, facilitar y fortalecer procesos colectivos de aprendizaje, acci\u00f3n e investigaci\u00f3n. Su prop\u00f3sito es ofrecer un recurso accesible y pr\u00e1ctico para quienes trabajan en el dise\u00f1o y facilitaci\u00f3n de procesos transformadores.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A trav\u00e9s de estas din\u00e1micas - desde ideas bien conocidas y cl\u00e1sicas hasta conceptos m\u00e1s originales y novedosos - la biblioteca web busca apoyar a profesionales, educadores, investigadores, activistas y organizaciones comunitarias a crear experiencias significativas de participaci\u00f3n.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cada din\u00e1mica incluye descripciones, pasos a seguir, consejos de adaptaci\u00f3n, materiales, plataformas y recomendaciones sobre c\u00f3mo implementar din\u00e1micas ya sea de forma presencial u on-line, incluyendo inspiraci\u00f3n aplicable como ejemplos y recursos \u00fatiles.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Algunos ejemplos de din\u00e1micas de IAP<\/em><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/dinamicas\/mapa-de-empatia\/\">Mapa de empat\u00eda<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">T\u00e9cnica visual que permite explorar colectivamente qu\u00e9 ven, sienten, escuchan y piensan diversos actores comunitarios.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/dinamicas\/caminata-diagnostica\/\">Caminata diagn\u00f3stica<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recorrido colectivo por el territorio donde los participantes observan y dialogan sobre elementos significativos del entorno.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/dinamicas\/linea-del-tiempo\/\">L\u00ednea de tiempo<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Construcci\u00f3n visual colaborativa de la historia local que identifica hitos, momentos de cambio y factores determinantes.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/dinamicas\/phillips-6-6\/\">Phillips 6\/6<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Grupos de seis personas que discuten un tema durante seis minutos para luego compartir conclusiones.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\/dinamicas\/arbol-de-soluciones\/\">\u00c1rbol de soluciones<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Representaci\u00f3n visual donde las ra\u00edces son acciones concretas, el tronco las estrategias, y las ramas los resultados esperados.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Junto a estas din\u00e1micas, es valioso explorar propuestas menos difundidas, adaptarlas seg\u00fan las necesidades del grupo o incluso desarrollar din\u00e1micas propias, pensadas espec\u00edficamente para cada contexto y prop\u00f3sito.<\/p><p><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3436\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/3-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Conclusi\u00f3n<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">La IAP es una metodolog\u00eda que permite generar conocimiento desde la experiencia, involucrando a los\/as participantes como agentes activos de la investigaci\u00f3n. A lo largo de esta entrada hemos visto c\u00f3mo sus principios pueden ser enriquecedores en nuestra profesi\u00f3n, as\u00ed como algunos ejemplos que muestran su aplicabilidad. Desde InTeO, os invitamos a seguir explorando estas metodolog\u00edas de investigaci\u00f3n; la plataforma <a href=\"https:\/\/metodologiasparticipativas.com\">metodologiasparticipativas.com<\/a> puede ser un buen punto de partida para quienes quieran explorar diferentes din\u00e1micas.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Y t\u00fa, \u00bfc\u00f3mo llevar\u00edas las din\u00e1micas participativas a tu pr\u00e1ctica profesional?<\/em><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Te invitamos a ser parte de nuestra propia din\u00e1mica participativa: un peque\u00f1o ejercicio digital pensado para intercambiar perspectivas, inspirarnos mutuamente y seguir aprendiendo juntos a partir de nuestras experiencias. Es completamente an\u00f3nimo. <a href=\"https:\/\/play.questiory.com\/presentation\/0e22558e-8b53-4a3c-8de6-b90a253014a2\">Participa aqu\u00ed\u00a0<\/a><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Bibliograf\u00eda<\/strong><\/p><ul style=\"text-align: justify;\"><li>Cornish, F., Breton, N., Moreno-Tabarez, U. et al. Participatory action research. Nat Rev Methods Primers 3, 34 (2023). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43586-023-00214-1\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43586-023-00214-1<\/a><\/li><li>Baum F, MacDougall C, Smith D. Participatory action research. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2006;60(10):854\u20137. Disponible en: <a href=\"https:\/\/jech.bmj.com\/content\/60\/10\/854\">https:\/\/jech.bmj.com\/content\/60\/10\/854<\/a><\/li><li>Robinson, Daniel B et al. \u201cGame Changers: A participatory action research project for\/with students with disabilities in school sport settings.\u201d Frontiers in sports and active living vol. 5 1150130 (2023). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fspor.2023.1150130\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fspor.2023.1150130<\/a><\/li><li>Rahimi S, Khankeh HR, Ebadi A, Mohammadian B, Eghbali M, et al. (2024) Developing a fall prevention program in an inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation unit: A participatory action research study. PLOS ONE 19(7): e0304320. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0304320\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0304320<\/a><\/li><li>Javadizadeh E, Oudshoorn A, Letts L, Barbic S, Shanoff C, Marshall CA. Participatory research with persons who experience mental illness in occupational therapy: A scoping review. Can J Occup Ther. 2024;91(2):203\u201321. Disponible en: <a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1177\/00084174231212760\">http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1177\/00084174231212760<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Paula Noce<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3427\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"164\" height=\"201\" \/><\/strong>Graduada en Terapia Ocupacional por la Universidad de M\u00e1laga y M\u00e1ster en Terapia Ocupacional en Neurolog\u00eda por la Universidad Miguel Hern\u00e1ndez. Doctoranda en el Programa de Salud P\u00fablica, Ciencias M\u00e9dicas y Quir\u00fargicas. Colaboradora del Grupo InTeO con contrato del Programa Investigo de la Generalitat Valenciana.<strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>MetodologiasParticipativas.com<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3430\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/Imagen4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" \/>Biblioteca online de din\u00e1micas, t\u00e9cnicas, talleres y m\u00e9todos participativos.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Noce, P., & MetodologiasParticipativas.com (2025, junio 2).\u00a0<em>Investigaci\u00f3n-Acci\u00f3n Participativa: una metodolog\u00eda para comprender y transformar diferentes realidades.<\/em> PublicaTO \u2013 Habilidades Cient\u00edficas en Terapia Ocupacional de InTeO. <a href=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/2025\/06\/02\/investigacion-accion-participativa-una-metodologia-para-comprender-y-transformar-diferentes-realidades\/\">https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/2025\/06\/02\/investigacion-accion-participativa-una-metodologia-para-comprender-y-transformar-diferentes-realidades\/<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3440\" src=\"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/files\/2025\/05\/88x31.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"88\" height=\"31\" \/>Este trabajo est\u00e1 bajo una Licencia Creative Commons<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u00a0<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[332145],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6113"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21252"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6113"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6113\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hacto.umh.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}