This study looked at the opinions of occupational therapists regarding the use of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years. The research focused on their work with preschool-aged clients, from three to four years old, who have developmental disabilities.

To gather this information, researchers conducted in-depth, online interviews with 11 occupational therapists in Canada. The researchers then analyzed the interviews using a specific method called thematic analysis, which was guided by a framework focused on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. This framework provides a structured way to understand the views of healthcare professionals on putting guidelines into practice.

Eight themes were found in the therapists' responses. These were: their awareness and familiarity with the guidelines; their level of agreement with them; what outcomes they expected from using them; their confidence in their own ability to use them; and their motivation. Three final themes related to external factors: the clients themselves, the use of the guidelines, and the work environment.

The results show that while occupational therapists may want to include the guidelines in their work, they have concerns. They reported that the guidelines may be too rigid and not applicable to the diverse needs of their clients, which hinders their use in practice.

The study concludes that there is a need for more resources and training to improve the ability of occupational therapists to adapt and apply the guidelines effectively. This would help ensure the guidelines meet the individual needs of children with developmental disabilities. The research also suggests that occupational therapists could play a significant part in promoting healthy movement in early childhood by using a tailored application of the guidelines.