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 11 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Predictive factors and clinical impact of ICU-acquired weakness on functional disability in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careHalf of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients developed ICU-acquired weakness, which delayed functional independence to a median of 41 days versus 19 days. Older age, neuromuscular blockers, pulse steroids, and sepsis were associated with weakness.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Association Between Caregiver Burden and Patient Recovery After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Insights From Sustaining Quality of Life of the Aged: Heart Transplant or Mechanical Support.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingHigher caregiver burden did not predict worse patient recovery in the first year after LVAD implantation. Patients with more burdened caregivers had similar rates of rehospitalization and quality of life improvement as those with less burdened caregivers.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2023Family involvement and diabetes distress across dyads for adults with type 2 diabetes.Patient education and counselingHarmful family involvement, such as arguing about food or undermining self-care, is linked to higher diabetes distress for both the patient and the support person. This pattern holds regardless of whether they live together, suggesting support for the caregiver as well as the patient.
• OTCohort2023Changes in Satisfaction with Meaningful Activities and Onset of Depressive Symptoms among Community-Dwelling Japanese Older Adults: A Population-Based Study Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationCommunity-dwelling older adults whose satisfaction with their most meaningful activities fell were more likely to develop depressive symptoms during follow-up. Ask what matters to them, not just what they do, when planning mental health support.
• PTOTRNOther2023Home Health Care Clinicians' Use of Judgment Language for Black and Hispanic Patients: Natural Language Processing Study.JMIR nursingHome health care notes about Black and Hispanic patients contained judgment words like 'claims' and 'insists' more often than notes about White patients. Visits were also shorter when notes contained judgment words. This suggests possible documentation bias, not proof of harm.
• OTRNQualitative2023The Context of Caregiving in Heart Failure: A Dyadic, Mixed Methods Analysis.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingCaregiver burden scores missed key home and financial struggles. Dyads with high contextual needs had worse physical health and finances, but those with moderate needs reported the highest burden. Standard screening tools do not capture the full picture of what families are dealing with at home.
• OTQualitative2023Adaptation Strategies in Students with Motor Functional Diversity.Investigacion y educacion en enfermeriaNine students described family and caregivers, nurses who gave companionship and hand activity, and virtual classes as important for staying in university. They also described moving from fear and anger toward resilience and new life goals.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2023Men's health care: concept analysis.Investigacion y educacion en enfermeriaMen’s health care is shaped by masculinity, social networks, work, culture, and spirituality, not just biology. Hegemonic norms often deter help-seeking and promote self-medication. Clinicians should assess these barriers and strengths to improve engagement and adherence.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2023Perceptions of Australians with diabetes-related foot disease on requirements for effective secondary prevention.The Australian journal of rural healthPatients with diabetes-related foot disease found wearing prescribed offloading footwear difficult due to discomfort and poor education on its purpose. Many relied on family carers for daily foot checks because of vision or mobility limits, and reported a critical lack of psychological support after amputation.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Use of Home-Based Clinical Care and Long-Term Services and Supports Among Homebound Older Adults.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMost homebound older adults use long-term supports like assistive devices, but very few receive comprehensive care. Nearly half had minimal services despite being homebound. Clinical teams should screen for gaps in meals, transport, and paid help, not assume skilled home health covers all needs.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2023Symptom management in adult brain tumours: A literature review.Nursing openEvidence for nonpharmacological symptom management in adult brain tumours is largely borrowed from other cancers, with insufficient data for fatigue, sleep, and distress. Cognitive rehabilitation has some support. Routine assessment of these often-overlooked symptoms is recommended.
• OTRNQualitative2023Repercussions of sickle cell disease and sickle cell ulcers for men inserted in the world of work.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PMen with sickle cell leg ulcers said staff often dismissed their pain and wound needs, so some avoided emergency care. They relied on nurse teaching, family, prayer and self-care to keep working.
• PTOTRNCohort2023Accumulated incidence of falls in people hospitalised with cancer and related factors.Nursing openMost falls in hospitalised cancer patients happened at night, in the bathroom, or while walking, with the patient unaccompanied. Weakness or loss of balance caused nearly half. Age and psychotropic drugs were linked to injuries, but most falls caused no harm.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2023The relationship between experience of knee pain and physical activity participation: A scoping review of quantitative studies.International journal of nursing sciencesEvidence linking knee pain to physical activity is inconsistent. Pain may reduce moderate activity but not light activity. Psychological factors like catastrophizing and specific painful movements interfere with participation more than pain intensity alone.
• PTOTCohort2023Post-Acute Care in Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities Between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationDuring the pandemic, inpatient rehabilitation stays became shorter and more expensive, with far more patients discharged home with home health care and fewer to nursing facilities. Differences between traditional and managed care plans narrowed, but the study shows association, not cause.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2023Parents voice their experiences of caring for children with special healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Journal of pediatric nursingParents said pandemic closures and missed therapy made children lose ground, while parents became teachers, nurses and therapists at home. Supply problems, fear of clinics and lost routines were major stressors, even when family time helped.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2023Loneliness and Functional Decline in Aging: A Systematic Review.Research in gerontological nursingLoneliness is consistently linked to functional decline in older adults, but the direction of this relationship remains unclear. Some studies suggest decline causes loneliness, while others indicate loneliness drives decline. The evidence is mixed, with 7 of 47 studies finding no association.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2023An Integrative Review of Sex Differences in Quality of Life and Symptoms Among Survivors of Hematologic Malignancies.Oncology nursing forumWomen with blood cancers report worse physical function, more pain, and greater symptom burden than men. Overall quality of life and fatigue findings are inconsistent. Nurses should assess physical status and pain more closely in female patients.
• PTOTRNOther2023Interactive gerontechnology for fall prevention in the elderly: a descriptive study.Revista brasileira de enfermagemThirty older adults rated a 3D scale model of a hazardous home as highly useful for spotting fall risks like loose rugs and poor lighting. Experts agreed the tool is valid for education, but the study did not test if it prevents actual falls.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023Experiencing COMFORT: Perceptions of Virtually-delivered Nonpharmacologic Therapies in Adults Prescribed Opioids for Chronic Pain.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesAdults with chronic pain prescribed opioids described virtual nonpharmacologic therapies as helpful for education and self-confidence. More than half reported some pain benefit and several reduced opioid use, though themes describe experiences rather than proven effects.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Is family social exclusion associated with child motor and socioemotional development delay? A cross-sectional exploratory study.Nursing openChildren from the most socially excluded families had significantly higher odds of motor and socioemotional development delays compared to the least excluded. Hospitalization in the last year also increased motor delay odds, while breastfeeding was associated with lower odds.
• PTOTRNOther2023Levels of Accelerometer-Based Physical Activity in Older Adults With a Mismatch Between Physiological Fall Risk and Fear of Falling.Journal of gerontological nursingOlder adults whose fear of falling did not match their actual balance risk did significantly less moderate to vigorous physical activity than those whose perception matched reality. This mismatch may contribute to inactivity and increased fall risk in community-dwelling seniors.
• PTOTSLPRNCohortFactors Associated With Function-Focused Care Among Hospitalized Older Adults Living With Dementia.Critical care nursing quarterlyHospitalized older adults with dementia who performed more daily activities and had less delirium reported less pain. Positive staff interactions also correlated with lower pain scores. These associations were cross-sectional, so causation is not proven, but they highlight functional engagement as a key factor.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Trajectories of Functional Decline in Older Adults: A Latent Class Growth Curve Analysis.Western journal of nursing researchMost older adults stay independent until age 85, but 10% decline rapidly from age 65 and 11% start with high disability. Comorbidities drive decline more than race or sex. Identify these groups early to target care.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2023Violence in rural areas against disabled people from the perspective of their families.Revista brasileira de enfermagemFamilies reported disabled relatives in rural areas faced physical, psychological, and sexual violence, including abuse by health professionals. They also struggled with financial strain, social isolation, and inaccessible transport to schools and clinics.
• PTOTRNCohort2023Identifying Comorbid Subtypes of Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesSix distinct patient subtypes were identified among acute respiratory failure survivors using early ICU data. Patients with obesity and severe kidney impairment had the worst functional disability at discharge, while awake and stable patients had the best mobility and lowest impairment.
• PTOTSLPRNCohortLongitudinal Effects of Sex, Aging, and Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis on Function.Nursing researchMen with MS experienced faster functional decline over time. Women showed greater year-to-year variability in function. Older adults had higher baseline limitation and more diverse trajectories. Sex and age shape how MS progresses differently.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2023Setting a Patient-Driven Agenda for Cancer Research Priorities in Geriatric Oncology: A Qualitative Study.Seminars in oncology nursingOlder adults with cancer prioritized research into symptom recognition, managing treatment side effects, and frailty over drug development. They reported feeling unheard when clinicians conflated cancer symptoms with normal aging, and highlighted gaps in support for caregivers.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Association of Perceived Neighborhood Environments With Cognitive Function in Older Adults.Journal of gerontological nursingOlder adults who perceived better transit access and sidewalk coverage in their neighborhood scored slightly higher on cognitive tests. These links disappeared for other neighborhood features after adjusting for age and education. The sample was highly educated and mostly cognitively intact, so results may not apply to diverse groups.
• PTOTSLPRNCase-Control2023Development and validation of a risk prediction model for visual impairment in older adults.International journal of nursing sciencesA risk score using age, blood pressure, physical activity, diabetes, eye history and education separated older adults with and without visual impairment in a Chinese hospital. It was not tested outside that setting, so it cannot yet guide routine screening.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic ReviewWhat Is Important to the Younger Person (≤50 Years) When Having a Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Literature Review.Orthopedic nursingNo existing study has directly asked adults under 50 what outcomes matter most to them after hip replacement. Current knowledge relies on data from mixed-age groups or older patients, so clinicians cannot yet confirm if younger patients' priorities differ from those measured by standard tests.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2023A concept analysis of routines for improving health behaviors.International journal of nursing sciencesThe paper defines routines for improving health behaviors as repeated, controllable, goal-oriented activities integrated into a patient's lifestyle. It identifies antecedents like age and motivation, and consequences including improved physical and family wellbeing.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2023King's Parkinson's Disease Pain Questionnaire: reliability and convergent construct validity.Revista brasileira de enfermagemThe King's Parkinson's Disease Pain Questionnaire is reliable for assessing pain in Brazilian older adults with Parkinson's. A change of 9 points on its 168-point scale marks a clinically important difference. It correlates weakly with general pain measures, suggesting it captures Parkinson-specific pain.
• PTOTSLPRNNarrative Review2023Multidimensional Frailty and Traumatic Brain Injury among Older Adults: A Literature Review.Investigacion y educacion en enfermeriaFrailty predicts worse outcomes after traumatic brain injury in older adults, including higher rates of emotional distress, venous thromboembolism, and functional decline. A multidimensional assessment of physical, psychological, and social frailty may help clinicians anticipate recovery trajectories.
• OTQualitative2023Experiences of participation in activities among girls with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A qualitative study.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityEight girls with juvenile idiopathic arthritis said pain, fatigue, stiffness and school absences pushed them out of activities, while meaningful routines, adapted tasks, technical aids and supportive friends or teachers helped them feel able to stay involved.
• OTQualitative2024School Nurses' Perceptions About Student's Wellbeing During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Sweden.The Journal of school nursing : the official publication of the National Association of School NursesSchool nurses reported students stressed about infection, grades and lost friendships, while some felt less anxiety with a slower pace and more family time.
• PTOTSLPRNSurvey2024The other COVID-19 survivors: Timing, duration, and health impact of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Journal of clinical nursingSurvivors reported a median of 21 symptoms lasting over 100 days, with fatigue and cognitive issues causing the most work impairment. Symptoms evolved from flu-like to neurological and systemic issues. Most were not hospitalised, proving severe sequelae occur independently of acute infection severity.
• PTOTRNNarrative Review2023Principles of management of hand fractures.Journal of perioperative practiceFor adult hand fractures, early pain, wound and neurovascular checks, antibiotics for open fractures, and hand therapy five to seven days after surgery are core principles.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2024Caregiving in the COVID-19 pandemic: Family adaptations following an intensive care unit hospitalisation.Journal of clinical nursingSixteen caregivers described feeling isolated and unprepared, with family support and home health services easing their burden. Patients resisted being helped to maintain independence. Clinicians should assess family support networks before discharge to prevent caregiver overwhelm and poor recovery.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023A Qualitative Study of the Pain Experience of Black Individuals With Cancer Taking Long-Acting Opioids.Cancer nursingBlack patients with cancer taking long-acting opioids described pain as something to control by limiting doses and accepting background pain, while stigma, pharmacy access, side effects, and fear of addiction blocked relief.
• OTQualitative2023Palliative Care across Settings: Perspectives from Inpatient, Primary Care, and Home Health Care Providers and Staff.The American journal of hospice & palliative careHome health, primary care, and inpatient providers said each can spot palliative care needs from their own vantage point, but poor communication makes it harder. They suggested a clinical lead to talk with patients and a home health lead to coordinate.
• PTOTRNOther2023A quasi-experimental study of group counselling effectiveness for patient functional ability and quality of counselling among patients with hip arthroplasty.Nursing openGroup counselling before hip replacement matched individual counselling for patient satisfaction and post-surgery function. Nurses can safely use group sessions to save time without harming recovery, though most patients still want better advice on coping at home.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023Unmet needs, limited access: A qualitative study of postpartum health care experiences of people with disabilities.Journal of advanced nursingDisabled parents described postpartum care as fragmented and often inadequate. They said providers shifted attention to newborns, missed pain and recovery needs, gave unhelpful breastfeeding advice, and made them fear home visits. Some occupational therapy and home nursing supports helped.
• OTSurvey2023The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with ADHD in terms of participation, support, and barriers at home.Journal of pediatric nursingParent-reported home participation showed children with ADHD played computer and video games more often than non-ADHD peers, but participated less in arts, crafts, music, hobbies, school preparation, and homework. Parents reported cognitive demands as a home barrier.
• PTOTRNCase-Control2023Post-COVID Patients With New-Onset Chronic Pain 2 Years After Infection: Cross-Sectional Study.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesNon-hospitalized post-COVID patients with new chronic pain reported higher pain intensity, pain interference, central sensitization, insomnia, fear of movement, catastrophizing, anxiety, stress, and depression than recovered or healthy controls.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Illness Perceptions and Health-Related Quality of Life in Women and Men With Atrial Fibrillation.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingPatients who believed atrial fibrillation caused many symptoms, had severe consequences, triggered strong emotions, or felt it was constantly recurring reported worse quality of life. Women felt less able to control the condition than men.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2023A scoping review of older patients' health-related quality of life, recovery and well-being after intensive care.Nursing openOlder ICU survivors face high 1-year mortality and functional decline, but most who survive report acceptable quality of life and willingness to return home. Pain and anxiety are acute issues that often resolve, while frailty and sensory impairments predict poor recovery.
• OTOther2023Return-to-work self-efficacy questionnaire: Cross-cultural adaptation and validation in China.Nursing openA Chinese 11-item questionnaire lets breast cancer survivors report how confident they feel about returning to work. It did not show that confidence makes return more likely; it gives a way to ask and follow it.
• OTRNCohort2023Changes in Personality Before and During Cognitive Impairment.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationSelf-reported personality changes were small before cognitive impairment and larger during it. Before impairment, extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness declined; neuroticism and openness showed little change. During impairment, neuroticism rose and the other four declined.
• PTOTRNSurvey2023Quality of life of older gynecologic oncology patients at the initiation of chemotherapy.Nursing openBefore chemotherapy, older gynecologic cancer patients reported lower global, physical, role and social function than age-matched Norwegian women; emotional function was similar, and cognitive function was higher.