We’re proud to announce that Callum MacKinnon, Founder and Lead Occupational Therapist at Bounce OT, is embarking on a truly pioneering academic journey. As part of his MSc in Advancing Practice in Occupational Therapy at Queen Margaret University (QMU), Callum is undertaking what is believed to be the first-ever master's level research project focused on the therapeutic use of a trampoline in occupational therapy—a topic that has long been underrepresented in academic literature despite its growing use in practice.
A Vision Rooted in Practice
With over eight years of experience running his own OT practice, Callum has consistently integrated trampoline-based activities into therapy sessions. He’s witnessed firsthand the profound impact the therapeutic use of a trampoline can have on sensory regulation, motor planning, emotional wellbeing, and social engagement—particularly for children and adults with additional support needs.
However, despite these promising outcomes, Callum identified a significant gap in the literature: there is little to no occupational therapy-specific research on the therapeutic use of a trampoline, even though it is widely used in practice. This disconnect between clinical innovation and academic evidence is what inspired his dissertation.
Planning the Research: A Collaborative Process
Plans are currently underway to map out the best approach to undertaking this research. While Callum is proposing a scoping review as the most suitable methodology—given the emerging nature of the topic and the need to map existing literature—the final research question and methodology will be refined in collaboration with his dissertation supervisor. This collaborative process will ensure the study is both academically rigorous and practically relevant, aligning with the broader goals of the MSc programme at QMU.
A Constructivist, Interpretivist Approach
Callum’s initial thinking is grounded in a constructivist ontology and interpretivist epistemology, acknowledging that therapeutic practices are shaped by context, experience, and meaning. His proposed methodology follows established scoping review frameworks (Arksey & O’Malley, PRISMA-ScR), allowing for a comprehensive and inclusive exploration of diverse sources. However, these elements will continue to evolve as the research design is finalised.
Why This Matters
This research is not just academic—it’s deeply personal and professionally significant. It aligns with national priorities such as the RCOT Play Practice Guideline (2023), which emphasises play as a core occupation for children. The therapeutic use of a trampoline offers a joyful, engaging, and meaningful medium for intervention. Yet without a strong evidence base, its use remains under-recognized and inconsistently applied.
Callum’s work aims to:
- Strengthen the evidence base for trampoline use in OT.
- Inform clinical decision-making and service development.
- Advocate for training, policy, and funding support.
- Ultimately, enhance outcomes for service users.
“I’m incredibly excited to be approaching the final stages of my MSc studies—especially after balancing this journey part-time alongside full-time work. It’s been a challenging but rewarding experience, and I’m proud to see my academic work beginning to merge with the practice I’m so passionate about. This research feels like a natural next step in advocating for innovative, evidence-informed approaches in occupational therapy.”
This dissertation is just the beginning. Callum envisions this research as the foundation for future studies, potentially leading to doctoral-level work and the development of evidence-informed guidelines for trampoline-based therapeutic activities.
We’ll be following Callum’s journey closely and sharing updates as his research progresses. His work is a powerful example of how practice-based insight can drive academic innovation—and how occupational therapists can lead the way in shaping the future of therapeutic interventions.
