Evidence behind the practice
Dr. Vidhya Depgunde’s research integrates Occupational Therapy, speech development, neurorehabilitation, paediatric intervention, and evidence-based practice.
Her work focuses on translating clinical observations into structured, research-informed approaches that improve function, communication, participation, and quality of life.
Her research interests centre on advancing occupational therapy through evidence-based practice, with particular emphasis on speech development, neurorehabilitation, paediatric intervention, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Across every study, the throughline is the same: pairing clinical practice with scientific inquiry to build interventions that genuinely improve participation and quality of life — for children and adults alike.
4
Published studies & research projects
20
Families interviewed in the SEP© efficacy study
Selected Research & Publications
Speech Elicitation Programme (SEP©)
Qualitative Study | 2024
To Assess the Efficacy of Speech Elicitation Programme (SEP©) in Children with Speech Sound Disorders: A Qualitative Study
A qualitative study involving 20 families, exploring changes in communication, participation, and functional speech following SEP© intervention.
Robotic Rehabilitation in Stroke
World Congress for NeuroRehabilitation | 2018
Robotic Intervention and Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation in Stroke: A Case Study
A case study examining the use of robotic-assisted upper-limb training as an adjunct to occupational therapy following stroke.
Master’s Dissertation | MUHS
A randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) combined with conventional occupational therapy.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Internship Research Project | KEM Hospital, Mumbai
A study examining the effects of pelvic floor muscle strengthening combined with occupational therapy for urinary incontinence.
Workshops & Lectures
National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped — Coordinator & Resource Person
Leads sessions on Sensory Integration and on Cognitive and Perceptual Rehabilitation within Continued Rehabilitation Education programmes, and speaks on the role of Occupational Therapy in Learning Disability and Vocational Rehabilitation.
The Victoria Memorial School for the Blind — Guest Speaker
Ran a Sensory Integration workshop for the institution’s staff and practitioners — clinical training carried beyond her own caseload to the wider care team.
Research Focus
Speech & Communication
Paediatric neurodevelopment
Early intervention
Sensory integration & motor learning
Neurorehabilitation
Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
Evidence-based occupational therapy
Innovative OT Assessment & Intervention Models
Speech & Communication
- Speech development & communication in children
- Occupational therapy & speech rehabilitation
- Paediatric neurodevelopment
- Early intervention
Neurorehabilitation & Movement
- Sensory integration & motor learning
- Neurorehabilitation
- Robotics in rehabilitation
- Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
Practice & Innovation
- Evidence-based occupational therapy
- Novel OT assessment & intervention models
From Research to Practice
The goal is simple: to turn clinical questions into evidence-informed occupational therapy approaches that make a meaningful difference in everyday life.