OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Research for occupational therapy

Papers an occupational therapist can act on, across daily living, mental health, hand therapy, paediatrics and rehabilitation, each read in full rather than from its abstract.

10,853 PAPERS · PAGE 10 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2023Cultural influences on shared decision-making among Asian Americans: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.Patient education and counselingMany Asian American patients want to be involved in discussions but prefer the provider to make the final decision. Clinicians should ask separately about involvement in the process versus the final choice, and actively include family members in consultations.
• OTSLPPilot2023Developing an animated COVID-19 e-curriculum for adults with dementia and caregivers: Challenges and solutions.Patient education and counselingDementia caregiver educators rated an animated COVID-19 curriculum as very good or excellent and self-reported better ability to explain safety and healthcare navigation. It was developed and evaluated with staff, not patients or caregivers, so it does not show patient benefit.
• OTRNQualitative2023Exploring experiences of loneliness among Canadian long-term care residents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.International journal of older people nursingResidents described loneliness as grief for lost friends and isolation from family. They found brief staff connection, virtual visits, and modified recreation helpful. Staff perceived the impact of isolation on residents' physical and mental decline as more severe than residents reported.
• OTPilot2022Return to Learn ECHO: Telementoring for School Personnel to Help Children Return to School and Learning After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of school healthSchool personnel who took a short virtual concussion-return-to-learn program reported greater confidence about managing return to learn and communicating with families. This is staff self-report only, not proof that students improved.
• OTSLPOther2022Co-creation of a student-implemented allied health service in a First Nations remote community of East Arnhem Land, Australia.The Australian journal of rural healthIn a remote First Nations community, a co-created student allied health service was feasible and acceptable, but outcome measures did not show health impact. Cultural consultants and flexible relationship building were central.
• OTSLPQualitative2023COVID-19-Related Facilitators and Barriers to In-Person Learning for Children With Intellectual and Development Disabilities.The Journal of school healthParents and school staff said weekly saliva testing helped them feel safer about in-person school for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, though masking, distancing, and hygiene were also in place. Changing policies, mistrust of testing, and no virtual option were major barriers.
• PTOTRNSurvey2023How Safe Do Dying People Feel at Home? Patients' Perception of Safety While Receiving Specialist Community Palliative Care.The American journal of hospice & palliative care20% of palliative care patients at home felt unsafe. Physical disability (60%), physical symptoms (30%) and psychological symptoms (26%) were common concerns; higher symptom scores and feeling unsafe were linked to shorter survival.
• OTQualitative2023Identifying personal beliefs of nursing staff about encouraging psychogeriatric nursing home residents in daily activities: A qualitative study.Nursing openNursing staff in psychogeriatric wards said they encouraged residents, yet often took over washing and dressing because it was faster, habit, time pressure, and small space.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2023A systematic review and meta-analysis: Assessment of hospital walking programs among older patients.Nursing openCombining data from seven studies of older inpatients found no clear link between hospital walking programs and shorter stays. Length of stay varied widely across studies, suggesting it may not be the best measure for judging if these programs actually help patients.
• PTOTRNRCT2023Combining exercise, protein supplementation and electric stimulation to mitigate muscle wasting and improve outcomes for survivors of critical illness-The ExPrES study.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careIn mechanically ventilated older adults, combining electrical stimulation, high-protein supplementation, and extra physical therapy reduced muscle loss and improved nitrogen balance compared to standard care. However, this multimodal bundle did not significantly shorten ICU stays or reduce ventilator days.
• OTRNSurvey2023Factors influencing employment rates and states after liver transplantation in China: A multi-centre cross-sectional study.Nursing openAmong Chinese liver transplant recipients, 59% were employed after transplant versus 69.8% before, but 81.6% rated their current work as good. Nurses can assess depression, physical activity, social support, and work ability during follow-up.
• OTRNQualitative2023Triangulation study of needs assessment of people with severe mental illness in "follow-up" day hospital settings.Nursing openPatients with severe mental illness in day hospitals need structured daytime activities, self-care, work or education support, social connection, continuous treatment, and help after discharge.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2023Effect of exercise on rehabilitation of breast cancer surgery patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nursing openAerobic exercise reduced pain and improved shoulder flexion, internal rotation, arm symptoms and strength. Shoulder and elbow exercise reduced lymphedema incidence. Resistance exercise did not reduce pain, and manual lymphatic drainage and aerobic exercise did not show a reduction in arm volume.
• OTQualitative2022Healthcare practitioners' views of comprehensive care to mental healthcare users in a community setting.CurationisIn rural South Africa, community mental health practitioners said psychiatric medication stockouts, staff shortages, family disengagement and stigma blocked comprehensive care. They asked for reliable medicines, community education, support groups and more trained staff.
• OTQualitative2023A participatory arts programme - Shared experience for family caregivers and care recipients.Nursing openCaregivers of spouses with memory or stroke-related decline described the mixed music, dance and visual arts groups as providing shared togetherness, peer support, and social contact. Some also described exhaustion and frustration when expectations were not met.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023Patients' motivation to undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement. A phenomenological hermeneutic study.International journal of older people nursingOlder patients chose TAVR primarily to avoid becoming dependent on others or entering a nursing home. Despite severe physical limitations, they maintained a strong desire for independence and hope for the future. This suggests preoperative discussions should focus on realistic expectations for daily life.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Comprehensive Geriatric Hospital at Home: Adaptation to Referral and Case-Mix Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHospital-at-home services for older adults adapted to pandemic changes without worsening outcomes. However, patients referred directly from the community achieved less functional recovery than those stepping down from hospital. Community referrals often involved more complex, frail patients.
• OTRNQualitative2023"I think people should be more aware:" Uterine fibroid experiences among women living in Indiana, USA.Patient education and counselingWomen with fibroids described symptoms they called normal or abnormal, feeling dismissed by providers, and daily life disrupted by pain, bleeding, and work absences. Fertility often shaped treatment choices.
• PTOTRNCohort2023A longitudinal study of disability in activities of daily living and activity restriction-induced fear of falling among Korean older people.Nursing openOlder adults who limited activities because they feared falling had more disability in daily tasks over 10 years. Fear of falling without limiting activities was not linked to disability.
• OTOther2023Projecting Long-Term Care Costs for Home and Community-Based Services in China from 2005 to 2050.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHome and community-based long-term care costs for older adults in China are projected to rise sharply, with faster growth for people needing help with three or more daily activities. This is a cost projection, not evidence that therapy reduces spending.
• OTRCT2023Nudge-Based Interventions on Health Promotion Activity Among Very Old People: A Pragmatic, 2-Arm, Participant-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationVery old retirement community residents who received a time-limited quiz message and a commitment question had higher daily tablet use than controls about a month later. The effect was larger in men. It did not measure physical activity.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2022Beneficial Effects of Maternal Physical Activity during Pregnancy on Fetal, Newborn, and Child Health: Guidelines for Interventions during the Perinatal Period from the French National College of Midwives.Journal of midwifery & women's healthRegular moderate physical activity during pregnancy improves fetal heart rate variability and child neurodevelopment, including language and motor skills. Strict bed rest does not prevent preterm birth and increases maternal stress, mood disorders, and guilt without clinical benefit.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Physical, social, mental and spiritual functioning of COVID-19 intensive care unit-survivors and their family members one year after intensive care unit-discharge: A prospective cohort study.Intensive & critical care nursingOne year after ICU discharge, most COVID-19 survivors still reported fatigue, weakness or pain and work changes, but rated family functioning and mood positively; family members mostly returned to work.
• PTOTRNCohort2023Risk Factors for First and Recurrent Fractures among Kidney Transplant Recipients.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)Kidney transplant recipients face high fracture rates, with 27% breaking a bone within 10 years. Female sex, diabetes, and prior fracture increase first-fracture risk. For recurrent fractures, female sex, diabetes, and recent transplant era are key risks, while higher BMI appears protective.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023Symptom management needs of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and concurrent anxiety and/or depression: A qualitative study.Journal of advanced nursingPatients with IBS and anxiety or depression described bowel symptoms and mood symptoms feeding into each other. They tried many strategies, found the low FODMAP diet burdensome and ineffective, and said unsupervised diet advice and dismissal worsened distress.
• PTOTOther2023Identifying Outcome Domains for Clinical Trials of Physical Rehabilitation Among Adults Undergoing Solid Organ Transplantation Using a Delphi Approach.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)Transplant patients and clinicians agreed on eight key outcome domains for rehabilitation trials, including exercise capacity and quality of life. However, consensus on a final core set failed in the second round, with only organ rejection remaining critical early post-transplant.
• PTOTRCT2023The Role of Psychological Factors in Chronic Pain Treatment Outcomes in the Military.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesAdding acupuncture, yoga, and chiropractic care to standard pain treatment did not improve outcomes or change psychological factors. However, patients whose pain catastrophizing decreased or self-efficacy increased before intensive restoration had better pain results afterwards.
• OTCohort2023Depressive Multimorbidity and Trajectories of Functional Status among Older Americans: Differences by Racial/Ethnic Group.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults with high depressive symptoms plus chronic disease accumulated daily living limitations about five times faster over time than those with neither. Hispanic and Black participants also accumulated limitations faster than White participants.
• OTOther2023Profiles of Work and Quality of Life among Young Adult Cancer Survivors.Western journal of nursing researchForty young adult leukemia and lymphoma survivors formed four work ability and goal profiles. High work ability with stable goals had the highest quality of life score; high work ability with changed goals had the lowest.
• OTRNQualitative2022School inclusion of children and adolescents with epidermolysis bullosa: The mothers' perspective.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PMothers described school inclusion for children with epidermolysis bullosa as undermined by stigma, fear of injury, and assumptions of contagion or learning deficits. They valued preparing classmates and staff, caregiver support, classroom adaptations, and pain control.
• OTRCT2023Effect of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) on Social Interaction and Quality of Life in Patients with Schizophrenia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Experimental Study.Asian nursing researchIn 90 residents with chronic schizophrenia, staff-led dog-assisted group activities had higher quality-of-life scores than staff-led discussion groups at 3 months. Staff-rated social function improved in both groups but did not last in the dog group.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2023Impact of COVID-19 on Long-Term Care Service Utilization of Older Home-Dwelling Adults in Japan.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationLong-term care service use for home-dwelling older adults in Japan dropped sharply during the April 2020 state of emergency. Commuting and short-stay services fell most, while home visits declined less. Recovery was uneven.
• OTQualitative2023Exploring role strain and experiences of caregivers of children living with disabilities.Nursing openCaregivers of children with disabilities in Botswana described fatigue, back pain, worry, guilt and financial strain. They coped through acceptance, prayer, family support and support groups.
• PTOTSLPRNPilot2023Feasibility of a standardized family participation programme in the intensive care unit: A pilot survey study.Nursing openMost relatives and ICU staff found a standardized menu of family participation activities feasible and applicable in daily practice. Relatives appreciated helping with care like reading aloud or applying lotion, while staff felt adequately trained and motivated to support this involvement.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pan-Canadian Perspectives From Parents and Caregivers of Youth With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & PractitionersParents and caregivers of youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities described canceled therapies and school closures. They said their children regressed, showed anxiety, and families felt strained. Many found virtual therapies less helpful than in-person care.
• OTSystematic Review2023Self-management interventions for adults living with obesity to improve patient-relevant outcomes: An evidence map.Patient education and counselingAcross 497 obesity self-management trials, most measured weight, physical activity and nutrition; few measured patient-important outcomes such as quality of life, stigma, coping or shared decision-making.
• OTRNRCT2023Evaluating depressive symptoms, BDNF Val66Met, and APOE-ε4 as moderators of response to computerized cognitive training in heart failure.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careDepression severity, BDNF Val66Met, and APOE-ε4 did not predict response to computerized cognitive training in heart failure. The trial's memory and daily function outcomes improved over time in all groups.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2023Interventions to promote mobility and quality of life in nursing homes: A systematic review.Nursing openExercise and movement programmes for nursing home and assisted living residents mostly did not improve quality of life, although many improved mobility or balance. Do not assume getting residents moving alone will make them feel better.
• OTOther2023Efficacy of online training at the International Mental Health Training Center Taiwan (IMHTCT): Pre and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Archives of psychiatric nursingOnline training improved self-reported knowledge for social workers and occupational therapists more than on-site training. Nurses showed a non-significant trend toward benefit. No patient outcomes were measured.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2023Effects of chair-based resistance band exercise on physical functioning, sleep quality, and depression of older adults in long-term care facilities: Systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesChair-based resistance band exercise improved daily living independence, strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, sleep quality and depression in older adults in long-term care. Sessions were about 40 to 46 min, three times weekly, for 12 to 60 weeks.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023Real-life experience of accepting assistive device services for Tibetans with dysfunction: A qualitative study.International journal of nursing sciencesTen Tibetan adults who used assistive devices said the devices helped daily life and eased family care, but poor fitting, unsafe paths, fall fear, and stigma made them hard to use. They wanted local professional guidance and financial support.
• PTOTRNCohort2023Incidence and risk factors of falls in older adults after discharge: A prospective study.International journal of nursing sciencesAmong 1,077 older Chinese adults after discharge, falls rose to 4.45% at 1 month, 9.03% at 6 months, and 10.80% at 12 months. Depression and frailty were independently associated with falls.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023Medical staff's perception of factors contributing to accelerated rehabilitation in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: A qualitative research.Nursing openStaff cited inconsistent messaging and heavy workloads as barriers to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in cervical spinal cord injury. Nurses reported delaying catheter removal on night shifts due to staffing shortages. Patients' belief that rest aids healing reduced compliance with early mobilization.
• OTRNQualitative2023The self-care process of community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Revista brasileira de enfermagemOlder adults changed self-care routines during COVID-19 using health professionals, media and technology, but unapproved practices appeared only in those diagnosed. Loss of daily activities and risk-group stigma brought fear, discouragement and loneliness.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Pain and Associated Factors in Nursing Home Residents.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesNursing home residents with intact cognition, arthritis, depression, anxiety, or contractures were more likely to report severe or persistent pain. Residents with Alzheimer’s disease reported less pain, likely due to assessment difficulties rather than lower pain levels.
• PTOTRNOther2023Virtual Fracture Care in Long-Term Care Homes Avoiding Emergency Department Visits.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn 17 long-term care referrals, all residents avoided emergency department transfer, and 47% avoided fracture clinic transfer. Trained LTC nurses and physiotherapists stabilized injuries on site, but this is a small quality improvement report, not proof the pathway works.
• PTOTRNRCT2023Offloading of Diabetic Neuropathic Plantar Ulcers: Secondary Analysis of Step Activity and Ulcer Healing.Advances in skin & wound carePatients in nonremovable total contact casts healed 93% of diabetic foot ulcers in an average of 77 days. Those in removable walkers healed 65% in 138 days and took more steps, suggesting the cast's forced adherence and step restriction drive faster healing.
• OTRNOther2023Delirium Mediates Incidence of Hospital-Associated Disability Among Older Adults.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHospitalized older adults with delirium were more likely to lose daily living skills before discharge. Delirium accounted for part of the disability risk linked to dementia and higher comorbidity.
• OTSLPRNOther2023Symptom Cluster Experiences of Patients Operated for Oral Cancer: A Mixed Methods Study.Seminars in oncology nursingMost patients operated for oral cancer had co-occurring symptoms. Sixty-one percent formed a subgroup with severe swallowing/chewing and teeth problems, plus more speech difficulty, dry mouth, pain, fatigue, distress and daily-life interference. Older, stage III or IV, buccal or alveolar cancers were linked to it.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2023Factors influencing foot care behaviour among patients with diabetes: An integrative literature review.Nursing openMost diabetic patients neglect foot care. Education helps, but knowledge alone fails: many know what to do yet do not. Barriers include cost, lack of family support, and fatalistic beliefs. Effective programs address these practical and psychological blocks, not just facts.