Which event increased the focus on physical rehabilitation in occupational therapy?

The Korean War significantly heightened the emphasis on physical rehabilitation within occupational therapy due to the large number of service members returning with injuries that required extensive rehabilitation. This conflict brought to light the need for both physical and occupational therapy services to aid in the recovery and reintegration of veterans into civilian life. The war's unique challenges led to advancements in rehabilitation techniques and a greater recognition of the role occupational therapy could play in helping individuals regain functional abilities, which had a lasting impact on the profession.

In contrast, while other wars also brought attention to rehabilitative services, the Korean War is particularly noted for sparking systematic changes in how occupational therapy was approached and integrated into recovery plans for injured veterans. These changes paved the way for a more structured integration of physical rehabilitation into occupational therapy, which has continued to evolve to this day.