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 118 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRCT2022Effectiveness of ultrasound and median nerve gliding with and without shock-wave therapy in patients with moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding shock-wave therapy to ultrasound and nerve gliding exercises did not improve pain, grip strength, pinch strength, or function more than ultrasound and gliding alone in patients with moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
• PTOTOther2022Motor function, muscle strength and health-related quality of life of children perinatally infected with HIV.The South African journal of physiotherapyIn 30 ambulatory children with perinatally acquired HIV, 36.7% were delayed and 23.3% were at high risk of motor delay on a standard motor test. Manual dexterity was worst, with sixty percent at risk or delayed. Girls had lower jump distance than boys.
• PTOTOther2022Young's moduli of subcutaneous tissues and muscles under different loads at the gluteal region calculated using ultrasonography.Journal of physical therapy scienceGluteal subcutaneous tissue is much softer than muscle at light pressure. Palpate gently to assess fat and firmly to assess muscle. Tissue hardness varies widely between people, so compare the patient’s side to side rather than relying on a general sense of normal.
• PTOTOther2022Relevant factors for arm choice in reaching movement: a scoping review.Journal of physical therapy scienceArm choice in reaching tasks was associated with lower effort, higher success, hand dominance, and brain activity. The included studies were mostly healthy adults, so this suggests rehabilitation targets to test, not proven treatments.
• PTOTCohort2022Influence of patients' walking ability at one-week post-proximal femur fracture surgery on the choice of discharge destination in Japan.Journal of physical therapy scienceWalking ability one week after hip fracture surgery predicts discharge home. Patients with supervised walking ability were nearly twice as likely to go home. However, having a relative living together was a much stronger predictor, with patients four times more likely to be discharged home.
• PTOTQualitative2023Best practice rehabilitation pathway for the management of single and double-level lumbar fusion surgery: a modified Delphi Study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineExperts agreed on 122 statements for lumbar fusion rehab, emphasizing early mobilization and a single contact person. Patients validated this but highlighted a lack of relevant information and difficulty returning to work. This is expert consensus, not tested interventions.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Factors Determining Not Returning to Full-Time Work 12 Months After Mild Ischemic Stroke.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAmong mild stroke survivors, persistent functional limitation and diabetes were linked to not returning to full-time work. Anxiety, depression, and fatigue appeared associated only before adjusting for other factors, so their independent role remains unclear.
• PTOTOther2023Development of a Remote Version of the Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensation, and Prehension (GRASSP): Validity and Reliability.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairRemote hand testing after chronic spinal cord injury gave scores similar to the in-person test and to scores from another examiner. It needs a home helper for some parts, and sensation had wider disagreement.
• PTOTCohort2023Deploying Digital Health Technologies for Remote Physical Activity Monitoring of Rural Populations With Chronic Neurologic Disease.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationRemote step monitoring worked well for rural Veterans with Parkinson's or stroke, with high device adherence. However, daily activity was low in both groups. Older age predicted fewer steps, while Parkinson's patients took significantly fewer steps than stroke survivors.
• PTOTCase-Control2023Assessment of balance in people with mild traumatic brain injury using a balance systems model approach.Gait & posturePeople with subacute concussion scored lower on the Mini-BESTest than healthy controls, particularly in dynamic gait and reactive postural control. However, total scores did not correlate with overall self-reported symptom severity, meaning patients may underreport functional deficits.
• PTOTCohort2023Demographic and Clinical Correlates of Device-Measured Physical Activity Levels in Individuals with Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPeople with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome did significantly less vigorous exercise and took fewer steps than healthy peers. Higher body mass index and poorer quality of life scores were the only factors linked to this lower activity level.
• PTOTRCT2023The combined effect of short foot exercises and orthosis in symptomatic flexible flatfoot: a randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAdding short foot exercises to a shoe insole reduced pain and improved function more than the insole alone in people with painful flat feet. The primary outcome, foot pressure, showed no difference between groups at the end of the six weeks.
• OTSLPSurvey2023Caregiver-Child Agreement in Health-Related Quality of Life of Autistic Children and Adolescents.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregiver and child quality of life ratings usually agreed, but caregivers tended to rate emotional functioning lower than children, especially in children aged 8 to 12. Ask children directly when planning care.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Affective Symptoms and Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.DysphagiaOropharyngeal dysphagia and anxiety or depression frequently occur together in head-and-neck cancer survivors. However, the review could not determine if swallowing problems cause distress or vice versa, nor how strong the link is.
• OTQualitative2022Challenges in the delivery of sex education for people with intellectual disabilities: A Chinese cultural-contextual analysis.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDStaff delivering sex education to people with intellectual disabilities in Hong Kong focused on moral control and parental consent rather than empowerment. They reported feeling resigned because parents and management blocked liberal approaches, leaving them unable to support clients' sexual needs.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Follow-up visits after a concussion in the pediatric population: An integrative review.NeuroRehabilitationChildren and youth are not consistently followed up after a concussion diagnosis. Reported follow-up rates varied widely from 13.2% to 99.5%. Evidence on factors influencing attendance, such as age, sex, and insurance, was inconsistent across studies.
• PTOTCohort2023Acupuncture use for pain after traumatic brain injury: a NIDILRR Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems cohort study.Brain injuryAmong 1,064 people with chronic pain after traumatic brain injury, 19.5% used acupuncture. Users were more often White, married, higher income, and military veterans. Pain severity and function were similar between users and non-users, though users reported more pain sites.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Neuro-imaging characteristics of sensory impairment in cerebral palsy; a systematic review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChildren with cerebral palsy and cortical brain lesions have significantly worse touch and object recognition than those with white matter lesions. Sensory reorganization to the other brain hemisphere does not improve function. Lesion location and extent, not just motor damage, predict sensory deficits.
• OTPilot2023Frequency, facilitators, and barriers for range of motion to prevent shoulder contracture in brachial plexus birth injury: A pilot study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineFive caregivers of children with brachial plexus birth injury said routines like diaper changes and meals helped them remember daily stretching. Work, illness, family demands, and fussy days were barriers. This small pilot cannot show stretching prevents shoulder contracture.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Functional Laryngeal Assessment in Patients with Tracheostomy Following COVID-19 a Prospective Cohort Study.DysphagiaIn 48 patients with tracheostomy after severe COVID-19, impaired airway protection was linked to longer artificial airway use and ICU stays. At discharge, most tolerated regular food and fluids, but the study had no control group.
• PTOTSLPRCT2023Immediate improvements in post-stroke gait biomechanics are induced with both real-time limb position and propulsive force biofeedback.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBoth real-time limb position and propulsive force biofeedback immediately increased paretic leg propulsion in nine people post-stroke. Limb position feedback raised leg angle more effectively, while force feedback increased ankle push-off. Neither changed the non-paretic leg.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Quality of life beyond diagnosis in intellectual disability - Latent profiling.Research in developmental disabilitiesQuality of life in children with intellectual disability clusters into three profiles that do not match diagnosis alone. The best-scoring group still showed emotional difficulties, while lower-functioning groups struggled with independence and social interaction. Assess domains, not just labels.
• PTOTSurvey2022Understanding Youth Athlete Motivation, Training, and Activity Progression During and After the COVID-19 Sports Interruption.International journal of sports physical therapyYouth athletes drastically cut training during pandemic shutdowns but preferred live online coaching over written plans. Upon returning, many resumed high-frequency play quickly, leading to a notable rise in self-reported injuries and pain, suggesting a gap between assumed and actual readiness.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling on Strength Measurements and Activation Levels of the Gluteus Medius: A Quasi-Experimental Randomized Control Study.International journal of sports physical therapyNeedling latent trigger points in the gluteus medius of healthy adults increased strength immediately. The muscle required less electrical activation to produce this greater force. However, soreness from the needling reduced strength in the untreated leg during the first test.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2023Simultaneous assessment and training of an upper-limb amputee using incremental machine-learning-based myocontrol: a single-case experimental design.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationOne transradial amputee learned to control a multi-articulated prosthetic hand using an incremental machine-learning myocontroller. He achieved reliable performance in daily tasks comparable to his standard prosthesis after 31 sessions, but this single case cannot prove the method works for others.
• PTOTQualitative2023Cooperative leadership as a condition for patient-reported rehabilitation success.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHigh-success rehab clinics had flatter hierarchies where therapists challenged doctors openly. Low-success clinics relied on rigid physician dominance and delegate-based meetings, which staff felt reduced their voice and hindered genuine interdisciplinary teamwork.
• PTOTOther2023WalkRollMap.org: Crowdsourcing barriers to mobility.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesCommunity reports on a new mapping tool identified missing sidewalks, fast vehicles, and absent crosswalks as the top barriers to walking. Most reports came from the pilot region, with underrepresentation of Indigenous and East Asian people.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Predictors of Discharge Destination After Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairStroke severity, age, and living alone before the stroke strongly predicted where patients went after acute care. Patients living alone were 5.56 times more likely to go to a residential facility, while those with severe strokes or longer stays were more likely to need rehabilitation.
• PTOTRCT2023Can specific virtual reality combined with conventional rehabilitation improve poststroke hand motor function? A randomized clinical trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding specific hand-focused virtual reality to conventional therapy improved hand movement, reduced stiffness, and boosted daily task scores more than conventional therapy alone. The virtual reality glove allowed intensive, repetitive practice of finger and wrist movements that standard sessions often miss.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2022The barriers and facilitators to managing diabetes with insulin in adults with intellectual disabilities: A systemised review of the literature.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDAdults with intellectual disabilities managing diabetes with insulin and their supporters described helpful support, accessible education, confidence, and flexible services. Barriers included cognitive demands, needle fear, stigma, poor communication, and rigid services. These are themes, not evidence that any intervention works.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Risk for intellectual disability populations in inpatient forensic settings in the United Kingdom: A literature review.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDPatients with intellectual disabilities in UK forensic settings face higher risks of violence and self-injury than those without, but restrictive ward environments worsen their mental health. Physical health issues like obesity and vitamin D deficiency are prevalent but under-addressed. Patients are willing to engage in risk planning.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2022A meta-analytic review of attitudes towards the sexuality of adults with intellectual disabilities as measured by the ASQ-ID and related variables: Is context the key?Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRAttitudes towards the sexuality of adults with intellectual disabilities vary significantly by context. Staff and general populations hold more favourable views than families. Higher socio-economic development and individualism correlate with more positive attitudes, while age and gender show no consistent link.
• PTOTCase Report2023Biomechanically designed Curve Specific Corrective Exercise for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis gives significant outcomes in an Adult: A case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOne adult with severe scoliosis reported pain dropping from 8/10 to 1/10 and a major curve reducing by 13.8° after eight months of specific corrective exercises. This shows what happened to one person, not that the treatment works for others.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Cognitive and psychological recovery patterns across different care pathways 12 months after hospitalization for COVID-19: A multicenter cohort study (CO-FLOW).Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicineCognitive deficits and psychological symptoms improved over 12 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, but 21% still had cognitive deficits at 12 months. The no-rehabilitation group had the fewest cognitive and psychological problems. The groups differed in illness severity.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023A systematic review of the determinants of implementation of a locomotor training program using a powered exoskeleton for individuals with a spinal cord injury.Clinical rehabilitationImplementation of exoskeleton gait training depends on managing expectations, securing staff time, and handling adverse events like falls or skin lesions. High costs and device complexity are barriers, while perceived health benefits and reduced clinician strain are facilitators for adoption in clinical settings.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Patterns of sensory processing in young children with autism: Differences in autism characteristics, adaptive skills, and attentional problems.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMost young autistic children showed mixed sensory patterns rather than uniform severe differences. Children with definite sensory differences across all modalities had lower social and daily living skills and more attention problems. Those with mostly typical sensory profiles had fewer such difficulties.
• PTOTCohort2023Walking Outcome After Traumatic Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injury: The Function of Which Myotomes Makes a Difference?Neurorehabilitation and neural repairEarly hip flexion and knee extension strength on the weaker leg predicts whether a person with paraplegic SCI will walk at six months. Distal leg strength determines if they can walk outdoors. These simple bedside tests help set realistic recovery expectations and guide rehab intensity.
• OTSurvey2022Early pandemic impacts on family environments that shape childhood development and health: A Canadian study.Child: care, health and developmentPandemic work and income changes reshaped family routines. Some parents with more time reported more supportive home environments, but essential workers reported lower ratings, and the links explained only a small share of family environment scores.
• OTOther2022Light up: an intervention study of the effect of environmental dynamic lighting on sleep-wake rhythm, mood and behaviour in older adults with intellectual disabilities.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRInstalling dynamic lighting in living rooms improved mood and reduced depressive symptoms in older adults with intellectual disabilities. However, it did not stabilise their sleep-wake rhythm as hypothesised, and the effect on sleep onset was minor.
• OTQualitative2023Barriers and facilitators to participation in everyday activities for children with intellectual disabilities in China.Child: care, health and developmentCaregivers of children with intellectual disabilities in China described barriers: limited caregiver knowledge and skills, child impairments, stigma and lack of family, financial and policy support. Facilitators included optimistic caregivers, family help, peer interaction and school activities.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Health-related quality of life in adolescents with cerebral palsy; a cross-sectional and longitudinal population-based study.Child: care, health and developmentFor adolescents with severe cerebral palsy, caregiver-reported quality of life remained largely stable over five years, except for general health which declined due to increased medication use. Severe motor impairment and pain consistently predicted lower quality of life across most domains.
• PTOTOther2023Multicentric investigation on the safety, feasibility and usability of the ABLE lower-limb robotic exoskeleton for individuals with spinal cord injury: a framework towards the standardisation of clinical evaluations.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThe ABLE exoskeleton was safe and feasible for 24 people with spinal cord injury. No falls occurred, and donning took about seven minutes. Walking independence improved, but without a control group, these gains may reflect natural recovery or standard therapy rather than the device itself.
• PTOTNarrative Review2023The state of the art in telerehabilitation for musculoskeletal conditions.Archives of physiotherapyTelerehabilitation matches face-to-face care for pain and function in musculoskeletal conditions. Prioritize patient preference and digital literacy. Use hybrid models for complex cases or when hands-on skills are needed. Ensure safety, privacy, and clear communication to maintain therapeutic alliance.
• PTOTOther2023Postural instructions affect postural sway in young adults.Gait & postureTelling healthy young adults to exert effort to stand up straight made their balance worse on an unstable surface. Instructions to lighten up or stand relaxed resulted in significantly steadier posture than effort-based cues.
• PTOTSLPOther2023TelereHUB-CHILD: An online integrated knowledge translation tool to optimize telerehabilitation evidence-based practices for children with disabilities and their families.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesClinicians and parents rated features of a new telerehabilitation website, confirming that organizing evidence by diagnosis and discipline makes it easier to find relevant treatments and assessments for children.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023Psychosocial services provided by licensed cardiac rehabilitation programs.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesNorth Carolina cardiac rehab programs routinely screen for depression and anxiety, with 94% using specific tools. However, few assess social support independently. Staff cited cost, time, and patient stigma as the main barriers to expanding these psychosocial services.
• PTOTSLPOther2023A new paradigm for assessing postural stability.Gait & postureHealthy adults lean significantly less than the standard limit used to score balance tests. Because the test assumes everyone can lean 12.5 degrees, it may overestimate stability and miss fall risk in patients who actually have a smaller range of motion.
• PTOTSurvey2023Perspectives on ankle-foot technology for improving gait performance of children with Cerebral Palsy in daily-life: requirements, needs and wishes.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationClinicians and families with cerebral palsy disagree on what matters most in ankle-foot orthoses. Families prioritise a normal-looking walk and comfort, while clinicians prioritise terrain adaptability. Both groups report low confidence in prescribing devices based on clinic assessments alone.
• PTOTOther2023Characterization of prosthetic knees through a low-dimensional description of gait kinematics.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationGait kinematics in trans-femoral amputees are best characterized by movement patterns in the sound limb during stance, not the prosthetic side. Bionic knees mimic healthy leg angles more closely than electronic or mechanical ones, but compensation remains in the unaffected leg.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022American Cochlear Implant Alliance Task Force Guidelines for Clinical Assessment and Management of Adult Cochlear Implantation for Single-Sided Deafness.Ear and hearingCochlear implantation for adults with single-sided deafness consistently improves hearing in the deaf ear, sound localization, tinnitus, and quality of life. Speech recognition in noise improves only when the target is directed toward the impaired ear. These outcomes support CI as a viable treatment option.