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 110 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTQualitative2022Understanding the Technology Acceptance and Usability of a New Device for Hand Therapy: Qualitative Descriptive Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesHand therapists described six factors affecting FEPSim acceptance: usefulness, ease, access, encouragement, looks, and use. They liked measurement and group fit. Pain, cognition, functional goals, and poor access limited use.
• PTOTPilot2022The Effects of an Individualized Smartphone-Based Exercise Program on Self-defined Motor Tasks in Parkinson Disease: Pilot Interventional Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesFifteen patients with Parkinson disease completed a 4-week home exercise program via a smartphone app. Usability was good and adherence was high. Patients reported improved personal daily tasks, but standard clinical measures showed no significant change.
• PTOTOther2023"I never really thought that a virtual ride would be that good!": Experiences of participants with disabilities in online leisure-time physical activity during COVID-19.Disability and health journalParticipants with disabilities described online adaptive leisure activities as helping them stay active, feel less isolated, and improve mood. Staff attitude, knowledge, and adapting activities to home equipment were central. These are reported experiences, not proof of benefit.
• PTOTQualitative2023The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals living with spinal cord injury: A qualitative study.Rehabilitation psychologyVeterans with spinal cord injury reported losing routine care, physical activity, and social contact during the pandemic. They cited closed facilities, lack of home help, and fear of exposure as barriers, while finding telehealth convenient for some services.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Long-term complications of prone position ventilation with relevance for acute and postacute rehabilitation: a systematic review of the literature.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineProne positioning can cause lasting pressure sores, nerve injuries, and reduced quality of life in ARDS survivors. Most evidence comes from case reports, so specific rehabilitation protocols for these complications cannot yet be established.
• OTPilot2022tDCS over the left prefrontal Cortex improves mental flexibility and inhibition in geriatric inpatients with symptoms of depression or anxiety: A pilot randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn older inpatients with depression or anxiety symptoms, left prefrontal tDCS plus usual physical, occupational, medical, and nursing care showed some gains in cognitive flexibility and inhibition, while working memory and attention did not clearly differ between groups. The trial was a small pilot.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022The role of structured exercise interventions on cognitive function in older individuals with stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesStructured exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation improved cognitive scores in older adults with COPD, especially those with existing impairment. However, most programs combined exercise with education, so the benefit cannot be attributed to exercise alone. Clinical significance remains unclear.
• OTSLPOther2022Self-Determination in Autistic Transition-Aged Youth without Intellectual Disability.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic youth rated their self-determination skills higher than parents did, but both groups agreed that home opportunities exceeded school ones. Fewer executive function problems and less depression linked to better self-reported skills. Discrepancies mean you need both perspectives to plan transitions.
• PTOTQualitative2022Therapists' perspectives on using brain-computer interface-triggered functional electrical stimulation therapy for individuals living with upper extremity paralysis: a qualitative case series study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTherapists who delivered BCI-triggered electrical stimulation therapy in research settings said it would not fit clinical use as delivered. They wanted faster setup, fewer people in the room, and a peer community; they felt physically capable and motivated.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Gaze-contingent display technology can help to reduce the ipsilesional attention bias in hemispatial neglect following stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationGaze-contingent masks shifted neglect patients' attention leftward. However, this did not improve target detection in the neglected side and worsened reaction times on the right. The technology alters eye movements but does not yet fix functional neglect.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Physical activity programs for cardiovascular outcomes in community wheelchair users: A systematic review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesCommunity-based physical activity programs for wheelchair users show inconsistent results. While some interventions improved activity levels or self-efficacy, cardiovascular outcomes rarely changed significantly. The evidence is weak due to small sample sizes and varied methods, so no single program is proven effective.
• PTOTOther2022A comparative study of the efficacy and functionality of 10 commercially available wrist-hand orthoses in healthy females during activities of daily living.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTen commercially available prefabricated wrist-hand orthoses failed to consistently block wrist flexion or radial deviation during five common daily tasks. All orthoses increased the time required to complete activities like pouring water or turning a key, with longer devices causing the greatest delays.
• PTOTRCT2022Beneficial effects of walking-based home program for improving cardio-respiratory performance and physical activity in sarcopenic older people: a randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineSarcopenic older adults who walked 7,500 steps daily for five days a week and did resistance bands twice weekly for 12 weeks improved grip strength, gait speed, and walking distance. Muscle mass did not change. The intervention combined walking with resistance exercise, so the effect of either alone is unknown.
• PTOTOther2022Perceived psychosocial stressors and coping resources in chronic low back pain patients as classified by the avoidance-endurance model.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChronic back pain patients with fear-avoidance or distress-endurance patterns reported significantly more mental suffering than those with adaptive coping. Adaptive copers also had more resources like exercise and hobbies. Work and family stress levels did not differ significantly between these psychological subgroups.
• OTSLPOther2022Monochannel Preference in Autism Spectrum Conditions Revealed by a Non-Visual Variant of Rubber Hand Illusion.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with autism showed reduced susceptibility to the classic rubber hand illusion. However, when the illusion relied only on touch rather than sight and touch, their proprioceptive drift matched that of typically developing peers, suggesting a preference for monochannel sensory processing.
• OTCase-Control2022Functional recovery outcomes following acute stroke is associated with abundance of gut microbiota related to inflammation, butyrate and secondary bile acid.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn 12 stroke patients, gut bacteria linked to inflammation and butyrate differed from controls and showed links to self-care, thinking, self-efficacy, support and pain. This is association only; it does not show changing gut bacteria improves recovery.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Wearable technologies for monitoring aquatic exercises: A systematic review.Clinical rehabilitationMost aquatic exercise studies use land-based tools, with very few using wearable sensors. Current wearable research is fragmented, lacks long-term data, and focuses mostly on healthy adults. There is no standardized protocol for monitoring movement in water.
• PTOTSLPRCT2023Actor-partner effects of wellbeing, hope and self-esteem on depression in stroke survivor-caregiver dyads: A randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationNarrative therapy groups lowered depression in stroke survivors more than standard psychoeducation did. Survivors’ own wellbeing and self-esteem drove their mood, but their caregivers’ depression also tracked with how the survivor felt, so treating the pair as a unit matters.
• PTOTQualitative2022Going for gold: Sports and exercise groups for people with dementia and carers contribute to their well-being.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeople with dementia valued safe, non-stigmatising exercise groups for social connection and identity, while carers valued them for respite and peer support. The social and practical aspects mattered more than the physical activity itself for well-being.
• PTOTRCT2022Developing guiding principles for technology-based rehabilitation program by engaging people with motor incomplete tetraplegia.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationPeople with chronic motor incomplete tetraplegia said they would only stick with home technology if it matched their specific goals, allowed independent setup, and offered a just-right challenge. They rejected devices that were too easy, too hard, or required a caregiver to assemble.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022Parent Perspectives on Supports and Barriers for Autistic Youth Transitioning to Adulthood.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of autistic teens described barriers like not knowing where to find services or finding them too expensive. They reported supports came from their child's specific interests, such as coding or welding, and from extracurricular activities that built confidence and practical skills.
• PTOTNarrative Review2022Brain-Computer Interface-Controlled Exoskeletons in Clinical Neurorehabilitation: Ready or Not?Neurorehabilitation and neural repairNon-invasive brain-computer interface exoskeletons are technically ready but not yet routine care. Current systems have limited accuracy and cannot restore daily living tasks. Clinicians should view them as promising tools for severe paralysis, not proven treatments, while awaiting better devices and reimbursement.
• OTPilot2022Brief Report: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Remote-Based Nutrition Education Program for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A COVID-19 Pilot Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersTen adolescents with autism found a four-week remote nutrition program acceptable and feasible. High attendance and positive feedback from students, parents, and teachers suggest Zoom is a viable delivery method, though efficacy on eating habits was not tested.
• OTSLPQualitative2022Opportunities and Challenges in Developing Technology-Based Social Skills Interventions for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Analysis of Parent Perspectives.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents described technology as a double-edged sword for their adolescents with autism. It offered calm and creative control, but also triggered meltdowns when things went wrong and encouraged withdrawal from real-world interaction.
• OTSLPCohort2022The Mediating Effects of Alexithymia, Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Anxiety on the Relationship Between Sensory Processing Differences and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours in Autistic Adults.Journal of autism and developmental disordersSensory processing differences were linked to restricted and repetitive behaviours in autistic adults. This link was partly explained by difficulty identifying emotions and intolerance of uncertainty, but anxiety did not mediate the relationship with insistence on sameness.
• PTOTRCT2022Augmented reality for stroke rehabilitation during COVID-19.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationChronic stroke survivors who replaced part of their usual therapy with augmented reality training showed significant improvements in upper and lower limb motor function. However, walking ability did not improve significantly, and balance gains were inconsistent between home and centre-based groups.
• OTOther2022Touch Hand 4.5: low-cost additive manufacturing prosthetic hand participated in Cybathlon 2020 ARM discipline.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThe Touch Hand 4.5 was the only team to complete the Haptic Box task in all races, but it was the slowest to finish the Breakfast task. The pilot reported less skin irritation due to a breathable 3D-printed socket, though this was based on single-user feedback.
• PTOTCohort2023Energy expenditure and perceived effort during uphill and downhill walking in people with multiple sclerosis.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicinePeople with mild multiple sclerosis felt uphill and downhill walking was much harder than healthy controls did, even though their actual energy use was lower. They may be working differently to manage slopes. Ask about effort, not just speed.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Arthralgia: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineCochrane reviews of other conditions suggest exercise, tai chi, and stimulations may reduce joint pain. Evidence is very low quality and indirect. No treatments are proven for post-COVID joint pain specifically.
• PTOTRCT2022Performing a shortened version of the Action Research Arm Test in immersive virtual reality to assess post-stroke upper limb activity.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA shortened immersive VR ARAT tracked traditional paretic-hand scores in people after stroke, but omitted six items and needed headset setup.
• PTOTCase Series2022Usability of an exosuit in domestic and community environments.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSeven users rated the exosuit's usability above average but used it only about once weekly. Difficulty putting the device on independently was the main barrier to regular use. Most did not reach recommended activity levels, and the suit was rarely used for daily living tasks at home.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Relationships Between Emotion Regulation, Social Communication and Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBetter emotion regulation linked to less self-injury, while better social communication linked to less stereotypic behavior in autism. These specific associations were distinct: emotion regulation did not predict stereotypic behavior, and social communication did not predict self-injury.
• OTSLPQualitative2022"It's Like Stealing What Should be Theirs." An Exploration of the Experiences and Perspectives of Parents and Educational Practitioners on Hebrew-English Bilingualism for Jewish Autistic Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents and educators in Jewish schools rejected the idea that autistic children should be raised monolingual. They argued that excluding Hebrew causes social alienation and spiritual harm, and reported that autistic children often learn this second language successfully.
• OTSLPCohort2022Heart Rate Variability in Children and Adolescents with Autism, ADHD and Co-occurring Autism and ADHD, During Passive and Active Experimental Conditions.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with ADHD showed signs of low arousal at rest, while those with autism showed high arousal during tasks. Those with both conditions displayed both patterns. Autonomic profiles did not match diagnostic labels alone, suggesting physiological differences cut across diagnoses.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Biomechanics beyond the lab: Remote technology for osteoarthritis patient data-A scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesMost remote biomechanics tools for osteoarthritis are only partially remote and require specialist setup, not true home use. Inertial measurement units are the most common validated technology, but lack of standardised placement methods limits data comparison across studies.
• OTSLPOther2022Training Coaches in Community Agencies to Support Parents of Children with Suspected Autism: Outcomes, Facilitators, and Barriers.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChild-skills checklist scores rose after a package combining online modules, agency meetings, workshops, practice, peer pods, trainer support, technology support, reimbursements, and newsletters. Coaching skill scores varied.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Longitudinal Stability of Intellectual Functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Age 3 Through Mid-adulthood.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn autism, group IQ scores rise from childhood to adulthood, but individual scores vary widely. Verbal and working memory stabilize by adulthood, while non-verbal scores keep rising. Do not rely on a single childhood IQ score to predict adult function.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2023Healthcare professionals' perceived barriers and facilitators of implementing clinical practice guidelines for stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review.Clinical rehabilitationTime and resources were the most consistent issue in stroke guideline implementation. Competing tasks, poor protocols and low confidence blocked use. Protected time, local routines, training, audit and champions helped.
• OTCohort2023Stronger Associations Between Sleep and Mental Health in Adults with Autism: A UK Biobank Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersSleep problems were not more common in adults with autism than matched controls. However, when sleep efficiency was poor, mental health and wellbeing suffered much more severely in the autism group. This suggests adults with autism are more sensitive to the impact of poor sleep.
• OTSurvey2022Social Media and Cyber-Bullying in Autistic Adults.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMost autistic adults used social media daily. Higher cyber-bullying victimisation was linked to more time online and lower self-esteem, particularly when feeling excluded. Cyber-aggression was rare. These are associations, not proof that time online causes harm.
• PTOTSLPPilot2022Under pressure: design and validation of a pressure-sensitive insole for ankle plantar flexion biofeedback during neuromuscular gait training.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA pressure-sensitive insole increased calf muscle activity during treadmill walking in children with cerebral palsy, matching the effect of a more complex EMG system. The pressure sensor is cheaper, faster to set up, and less prone to signal loss from sweat or hair.
• PTOTOther2022Reliability and validity of the East Asian children's version of mini-MACS in children with cerebral palsy.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThe Chinese version of the Mini-MACS reliably classifies manual ability in children with cerebral palsy. Parents and therapists agreed closely, and the tool correlated with both the Nine-hole Peg Test and the Gross Motor Function Classification System.
• PTOTOther2022Berg Balance Scale is a Valid Measure for Plan Interventions and for Assessing Changes in Postural Balance in Patients with Stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineA new scoring template for the Berg Balance Scale helps therapists spot the 'just right' challenge level for stroke patients. Items in the transition zone between easy and hard tasks guide short-term goals, while harder items suggest long-term targets.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Self-awareness predicts fitness to drive among adults referred to occupational therapy evaluation.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn older adults referred for driving evaluation, self-awareness predicted fitness to drive better than cognitive or motor speed. Those deemed unfit significantly overestimated their driving ability, while those deemed fit rated themselves accurately. Assessing this gap helps identify drivers who do not recognize their own errors.
• OTSLPSurvey2022Self-Perceived Quality of Life in Spanish-Speaking Women with Autism Spectrum Disorders.Journal of autism and developmental disordersSpanish-speaking women with autism, formally diagnosed or self-diagnosed, rated their quality of life lower than women without autism. Their lowest areas were relationships, community connection and future security. Scores were similar to men with autism.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Fatigue, post-exertional malaise and orthostatic intolerance: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineCochrane reviews show exercise and education can reduce fatigue in other chronic diseases, but evidence is very low to moderate. No reviews exist for post-exertional malaise or orthostatic intolerance. Apply treatments cautiously, ruling out cardiac issues first.
• OTCase-Control2022Autism interest intensity in early childhood associates with executive functioning but not reward sensitivity or anxiety symptoms.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn young children, intense interests are linked to difficulty shifting attention, but not to reward sensitivity or anxiety. This association held for both autistic and non-autistic children, suggesting that executive function support may help manage interest-related interference regardless of diagnosis.
• PTOTPilot2023The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey: Comparisons with Obesity and Physical Activity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersTeens with autism in high-risk home environments weighed 11.1 kg more than those in low-risk homes. However, their measured physical activity levels were identical. This suggests the home environment score flags weight risk, not necessarily a lack of movement.
• OTSLPOther2023Brief Report: Above and Beyond Safety: Psychosocial and Biobehavioral Impact of Autism-Assistance Dogs on Autistic Children and their Families.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents in 11 families reported lower stress and better child behavior after adding a trained autism service dog to ongoing occupational, speech and language, physical, and applied behavioral analysis therapy, medications, or other treatments. No control group.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Aging Affects the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Osteoarthritis.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationIn mice, knee injections of platelet-rich plasma from young donors protected cartilage, while plasma from older donors did not and increased inflammation. This laboratory work suggests age affects the quality of autologous plasma, but it does not test human outcomes.