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 111 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTCohort2023Prevalence and determinants of hip pain in non-ambulatory cerebral palsy children: a retrospective cohort study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineHip pain was reported in 8.9% of children with severe cerebral palsy, rising to 10.9% in those with GMFCS level V. Key independent predictors were older age, female sex, higher migration percentage, and lumbar scoliosis. Pain often resolved after treatment, suggesting a need for targeted assessment rather than assuming dislocation is the sole cause.
• PTOTCohort2023Mild Neurocognitive Disorder, Social Engagement, and Falls Among Older Primary Care Patients.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationOlder patients with mild neurocognitive disorder reported more falls, but social engagement alone was not linked to falls. The link between mild neurocognitive disorder and falls was stronger when social engagement was low, and the study did not test whether engagement changes fall risk.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Patterns in reporting and participant inclusion related to race and ethnicity in autism intervention literature: Data from a large-scale systematic review of evidence-based practices.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceRace and ethnicity data were reported in only 25% of autism intervention studies, and participants were heavily White. Reporting has increased slowly over time, but minoritized groups remain significantly underrepresented in the evidence base.
• OTPilot2022"Knowing That I'm Not Necessarily Alone in My Struggles": UK Autistic Performing Arts Professionals' Experiences of a Mentoring Programme.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic performing arts professionals described a mentoring programme as a rare chance to feel less isolated and gain confidence. Four of six mentees showed reliable gains in self-efficacy, but the small pilot nature means this is exploratory, not proof of efficacy.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Technology-assisted assessment of spasticity: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationNo technology-assisted spasticity measure is fully validated for clinical use yet. However, manual stretching with EMG shows promise as a quick, low-cost alternative to the Modified Ashworth Scale.
• PTOTPilot2022Feedback control of upright seating with functional neuromuscular stimulation during a reaching task after spinal cord injury: a feasibility study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFeedback-controlled electrical stimulation helped four of five people with spinal cord injury return to an upright seated position faster after reaching for a weighted jar. Effects on trunk sway and reach distance varied widely between individuals, and one person with a lower-level injury saw no benefit.
• PTOTOther2022Naturalistic visualization of reaching movements using head-mounted displays improves movement quality compared to conventional computer screens and proves high usability.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHead-mounted displays improved 3D reaching quality and reduced movement onset time compared to 2D screens in healthy elderly and pilot brain-injured patients. Usability was high across all technologies, with no significant differences in motivation or self-reported cognitive load.
• OTSLPOther2022Subtypes of Aggressive Behavior in Children with Autism in the Context of Emotion Recognition, Hostile Attribution Bias, and Dysfunctional Emotion Regulation.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParent-rated emotional lability predicted verbal and covert aggression, partly through hostile intent bias. It also predicted bullying directly. Physical aggression showed no significant links to these factors. Better emotion recognition unexpectedly associated with more hostile bias.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022Gastrointestinal concerns in children with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative study of family experiences.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents of children with autism and gut issues often cannot rely on verbal reports of pain. They instead watch for bodily signs like distension or non-verbal behaviors such as leg crossing, irritability, or aggression to detect distress.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Dyspnea: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicinePulmonary rehabilitation and exercise training may improve dyspnea in chronic respiratory conditions, but evidence is low to moderate quality. No direct evidence exists for post-COVID dyspnea. Clinicians must check for post-exertional symptom exacerbation before applying these protocols.
• OTOther2023Determining the Marginal Cost Differences of a Telehealth Versus an In-person Occupational Therapy Evaluation Session for Stroke Survivors Using Time-driven Activity-based Costing.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationTelerehabilitation stroke evaluation sessions were estimated to cost $231.64 versus $168.29 for outpatient sessions, mainly because of scheduling calls and documentation.
• PTOTCohort2023Sensor based assessment of turning during instrumented Timed Up and Go Test for quantifying mobility in chronic stroke patients.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineA wearable sensor on the lower back during a Timed Up and Go test distinguished stroke patients with limited mobility from those with good mobility. Average turning speed below 39 to 42 degrees per second reliably identified the impaired group, offering a quick objective measure for clinical assessment.
• PTOTCohort2023AMPREDICT PROsthetics-Predicting Prosthesis Mobility to Aid in Prosthetic Prescription and Rehabilitation Planning.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationA new model predicts 12-month mobility for first-time transtibial or transfemoral amputees using 23 electronic health record factors. It best distinguishes household from community ambulation, helping clinicians match prosthetics to likely outcomes and set realistic patient goals.
• OTSLPQualitative2023"You Feel Like You Kind of Walk Between the Two Worlds": A Participatory Study Exploring How Technology Can Support Emotion Regulation for Autistic People.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic people and staff want emotion regulation technology that is adaptable, affordable and co-designed. Participants valued consistency and early warning of distress, but flagged ethical concerns about monitoring and a lack of tools for those with higher IQ.
• PTOTOther2023Normative reference values for Obstacles Test and Curb Test and their correlation with demographic characteristics: a cross-sectional study in Saudi children.International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptationResearchers established age and sex norms for two timed walking tests in Saudi children aged 6 to 11. Older children and boys completed the tests faster. Height and weight also correlated with speed, but body mass index did not. Prediction equations are provided to help judge if a child's performance falls outside typical range.
• OTCase-Control2023Weakened Bayesian Calibration for Tactile Temporal Order Judgment in Individuals with Higher Autistic Traits.Journal of autism and developmental disordersPeople with higher autistic traits showed a weaker bias in judging which hand was touched first after repeated stimulation. This suggests they rely less on past experience when processing touch, which may explain why sensory input feels more intense or 'too real' for some individuals with autism.
• OTQualitative2023Exploring the Experiences of Parents Whose Child has Received a Diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of adults newly diagnosed with autism often felt relief and guilt. The diagnosis helped many reinterpret past behaviour, and some parents described closer relationships, but lack of post-diagnostic support left them frustrated and unsure how to help.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023The Impact of School Strategies and the Home Environment on Home Learning Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Children With and Without Developmental Disorders.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of children with developmental disorders rated remote teaching methods as less effective and were less satisfied with school measures than parents of typically developing children. Teacher alignment and child motivation predicted better experiences, but teacher-led methods helped only typically developing children.
• PTOTOther2022Design and validation of a multi-task, multi-context protocol for real-world gait simulation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA short lab protocol with varied tasks captures a wider range of walking speeds than straight walking alone. Adding complex tasks like turning and stepping over obstacles slowed people down more than simply asking them to walk slowly. The protocol was safe for people with mobility impairments.
• OTSLPCohort2022A prospective study of associations between early fearfulness and perceptual sensitivity and later restricted and repetitive behaviours in infants with typical and elevated likelihood of autism.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn infants with and without a family history of autism, higher fearfulness and perceptual sensitivity at 24 months predicted more restricted and repetitive behaviours and social communication difficulties at 36 months. These early temperamental traits were not specific to repetitive behaviours alone.
• PTOTSurvey2022Self-Monitoring Physical Activity, Diet, and Weight Among Adults Who Are Legally Blind: Exploratory Investigation.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAdults who are legally blind often rely on mental tracking for weight and diet because accessible tools are scarce. Talking scales were the most requested support. Clinicians should anticipate barriers like inaccessible labels and lack of blind-friendly gym environments when advising on lifestyle changes.
• OTSLPQualitative2022Facebook Experiences of Users With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Think-Aloud Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesEight adults with chronic TBI used Facebook for the same social goals as uninjured peers, but cognitive barriers made the experience frustrating. Information overload, interface changes, and difficulty interpreting tone increased isolation rather than reducing it.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineCochrane reviews show cognitive training, exercise, and memory rehabilitation can help thinking and mood in stroke, cancer, and dementia. Evidence quality is low to very low. These findings apply to other conditions, not directly to post-COVID-19.
• PTOTSLPPilot2022Identifying Clinically Important Functional Impairments and Rehabilitation Needs in Cancer Survivors and a Pilot Validation of the Cancer Rehabilitation Questionnaire.Journal of rehabilitation medicineMost cancer survivors reported functional impairments, with pain, weakness, and daily activity difficulty being most common. A simple yes/no screening questionnaire detected clinically important physical dysfunction with moderate accuracy, but low willingness to participate in rehabilitation was a major barrier.
• OTProtocol2022Development of a behavioural intervention for cognitive fatigability in multiple sclerosis: Protocol for a pilot and feasibility study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThis paper outlines a plan for an 8-week videoconference program targeting cognitive fatigability in multiple sclerosis. No patients were treated and no results are reported. It describes how researchers will test feasibility before running a larger trial.
• PTOTCohort2022Six Minutes Walking in Polio Survivors: Effects on Fatigue and Walking Adaptability.Journal of rehabilitation medicineSix minutes of adaptive walking caused substantial cardiorespiratory fatigue in polio survivors, leading to a decline in walking adaptability. Healthy individuals experienced only modest fatigue and maintained or improved performance. This suggests prolonged walking may increase fall risk in polio survivors.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Rehabilitation of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Who Required Assistance Before Hospitalization Contributes to Improvement in Activities of Daily Living: A Nationwide Database Cohort Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationStarting rehabilitation early and increasing daily duration improved daily living activities in stroke patients who needed help before admission. This benefit held for those with moderate disability, but early rehabilitation did not improve outcomes for the most severely disabled group.
• PTOTSLPRCT2023Optimized Home Rehabilitation Technology Reduces Upper Extremity Impairment Compared to a Conventional Home Exercise Program: A Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blind Trial in Subacute Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairPatients using a sensor-based home exercise system improved upper limb function more than those using paper instructions. The trial stopped early due to the pandemic with only 25 participants analyzed, so the result is promising but not yet definitive for routine care.
• OTSurvey2023Workplace Adjustments for Autistic Employees: What is 'Reasonable'?Journal of autism and developmental disordersEmployees see autism awareness training as the most feasible workplace adjustment, yet few had observed it. While flexible hours and clear expectations were common, staff worried that tailored support might be seen as unfair or require resources they did not have.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Hierarchical clustering of prolonged post-concussive symptoms after 12 months: symptom-centric analysis and association with functional impairments.Brain injuryMild sleep and fatigue symptoms were associated with the most functional impairments, including trouble with conversations and appointments. Moderate-to-severe cognitive symptoms were linked to the greatest number of deficits. Screening for sleep issues is a priority even when symptoms are mild.
• OTSystematic Review2023Occupational Therapy Interventions Using New Technologies in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMost studies using tech in OT for autism showed improvements in daily living and social skills, but many were small and lacked control groups. Two larger trials found no significant difference compared to standard care. Evidence is too weak to confirm efficacy.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Exemplary post-discharge stroke rehabilitation programs: A multiple case study.Clinical rehabilitationExemplary post-discharge stroke care relies on three pillars: deep clinical knowledge, a respectful personalized relationship, and team commitment. Patients valued providers who treated them like friends, explained stroke impacts clearly, and offered flexible timing rather than rigid intensity.
• OTSLPCohort2023Characterizing Daily-Life Social Interactions in Adolescents and Young Adults with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Comparison Between Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdolescents with autism or 22q11 deletion spend similar time alone as peers, but less with friends and more with family. Those with autism feel judged and lonely in company. Those with 22q11 enjoy interactions but prefer being alone, suggesting different therapy targets.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023The Moderating Role of Motivation in the Real-Time Associations of Fatigue, Cognitive Complaints, and Pain With Depressed Mood Among Stroke Survivors: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationFor stroke survivors, feeling tired, in pain, or mentally slow was linked to feeling depressed in the moment. However, doing activities because they were personally meaningful, rather than out of pressure or obligation, weakened this link. Clinicians should support autonomous motivation.
• PTOTSLPOther2022R2Play development: Fostering user-driven technology that supports return-to-play decision-making following pediatric concussion.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesClinicians rated the new R2Play return-to-play interface as easy to use, scoring 81% on a usability test. Five testers navigated the system without getting stuck, though some initially missed buttons. The tool is a prototype and not yet proven to help patients.
• PTOTQualitative2022The Concerns and Experiences of Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Regarding Prehabilitation and Recovery After Spine Surgery: A Qualitative Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPatients with lumbar spinal stenosis wanted more clear information before surgery. Many feared prehabilitation because pain and travel made clinic visits hard. Postoperative exercises were generally seen as helpful, but pandemic closures and comorbidities hindered recovery for some.
• PTOTSLPRCT2022A Longitudinal RCT of P-ESDM With and Without Parental Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: Impact on Child Outcomes.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdding parental mindfulness training to early autism intervention did not improve child outcomes. Children in both groups showed similar decreases in autism severity and skill development, regardless of whether parents received the extra support sessions.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Effect of exoskeleton-assisted Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training on gait function for patients with chronic stroke: a scoping review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationExoskeleton-assisted treadmill training improved walking in 10 of 11 studies, but it was not better than therapist-assisted training. The robot's value appears to be reducing physical burden on therapists while maintaining similar gait gains, not adding superior efficacy.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Dysphagia, dysphonia and olfactory disease: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineNo Cochrane reviews exist for treating voice or smell loss in post-COVID. For swallowing, one review of stroke patients suggests behavioral strategies and TMS may help, but evidence quality is low and does not directly prove these treatments work for post-COVID patients.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Interaction of network and rehabilitation therapy parameters in defining recovery after stroke in a Bilateral Neural Network.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn a computer model of stroke, exploratory movements across a full workspace improved reaching accuracy more than repetitive stereotypic movements. This benefit occurred regardless of whether the healthy arm was restrained or used. The model suggests movement variety, not hand selection, drives recovery.
• PTOTCohort2022Characteristics Associated With Perceived Underemployment Among Participants With Spinal Cord Injury.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAmong employed people with spinal cord injury, 24.6% perceived themselves as underemployed. Higher earnings, health benefits, and being married were linked to lower odds of feeling underemployed, while working in sales or management/professional roles was linked to higher odds.
• OTQualitative2022Parent-Reported Strengths and Positive Qualities of Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents reported strengths for 97% of autistic and intellectually disabled adolescents and adults. Kindness and sociability were most common. Notably, 'work ethic' and 'motivation' emerged as distinct strengths, particularly in older participants, independent of IQ or verbal ability.
• PTOTOther2023Psychometric Properties of a New Measure of Upper Limb Performance in Post-Stroke Individuals: Trunk-Based Index of Performance.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairA new measure called IPt combines speed, accuracy, and trunk compensation in stroke reaching. It showed excellent stability over time and could distinguish mild from moderate-to-severe impairment, offering a way to track motor skill changes beyond standard clinical scores.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Beyond Friendship: The Spectrum of Social Participation of Autistic Adults.Journal of autism and developmental disordersForty autistic adults described finding belonging through work, neighborhoods, interest groups, support services, and online platforms. Casual encounters and acquaintances mattered as much as close friendships. Clinicians should ask about these varied contexts rather than focusing only on friendship quality.
• OTQualitative2023Resilience and Coping Strategies in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdults with ASD described resilience as adjusting routines, using supports, recognising strengths, and processing trauma, while facing pressure to conform and negative assumptions about abilities.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Daily Life: Diverse Experiences for Autistic Adults.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic adults reported higher stress and mixed pandemic impacts. Home life was often positive due to predictability, but social and work life suffered from isolation and routine loss. Telehealth was polarizing: some preferred its low sensory demand, while others found it exhausting and insufficient for complex needs.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Successful Community Discharge Among Older Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury Admitted to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationMost older adults with traumatic brain injury return home after inpatient rehab. Those living alone before injury were less likely to succeed than those living with others. Higher motor and cognitive scores on admission predicted a better chance of going home.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Service Delivery Models for the Management of Pediatric and Adolescent Concussion: A Systematic Review.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationMost concussion studies measure provider habits or costs, not patient recovery. Specialists deliver active exercise and multidisciplinary care, while generalists often lack standardized tools. Telemedicine improves access for rural families but cannot replace in-person neurologic exams.
• PTOTOther2022Assessing Participation in Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: Comparison of Life-Habits and USER-Participation.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationThe Life-H and USER-Participation agree on how much adolescents with cerebral palsy do, but not on how satisfied they are. Use the USER-Participation for a quick overall picture and the Life-H when you need to find specific daily restrictions or sources of dissatisfaction.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Factors Associated With Time to Achieve Physical Functional Recovery in Patients With Severe Stroke After Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Nationwide Cohort Study in Japan.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationOnly 40.4% of patients with severe stroke achieved physical independence by discharge. Younger age and higher initial motor scores predicted faster recovery. Patients who reached this goal received 10 more minutes of therapy per day than those who did not.