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 12 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTCohort2023Post intensive care syndrome in survivors of COVID-19 who required mechanical ventilation during the third wave of the pandemic: A prospective study.Heart & lung : the journal of critical care64% of 22 survivors of COVID-19 ARDS with prolonged mechanical ventilation had post intensive care syndrome 30 days after discharge. Dependence in daily activities was most common, with 41% cognitive impairment and 32% anxiety or depression.
• OTRNQualitative2024Understanding the Postpartum Cesarean Pain Experience Among Individuals With Publicly Funded Insurance: A Qualitative Investigation.Journal of midwifery & women's healthPostpartum people after cesarean birth described pain that interfered with infant care, household tasks, and mood. They wanted individualized counseling, non-drug comfort options, and honest opioid discussion without feeling judged.
• PTOTRNCohort2023Social Risk Factors are Associated with Risk for Hospitalization in Home Health Care: A Natural Language Processing Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHome health notes mentioning social environment, physical environment, education or literacy, food insecurity, or access to care were linked to hospitalization or emergency visits. These factors may help clinicians spot risk, but they do not prove that treating them helps.
• OTPilot2023The BETTER Traumatic Brain Injury Transitional Care Intervention: A Feasibility Study.Western journal of nursing researchOccupational therapists delivering a transitional care program to TBI patients and families found it feasible and acceptable. Physical quality of life improved, but overall and mental quality of life did not change. These results support testing the program in a larger randomized trial.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2023Understanding health-related quality of life trajectories among older adults with diabetes mellitus: Mixed methods research.Nursing openMost older adults with diabetes maintained good quality of life over five years. Those with declining quality of life often viewed diabetes as a destroyer of their lives and struggled with self-care. Comorbidities like pain and financial barriers drove poor outcomes more than diabetes itself.
• OTQualitative2023We have to turn a transatlantic liner-Leaders' perspectives on creating a meaningful life for older persons receiving municipal care.Nursing openElder care leaders said meaningful daily life requires starting from each older person's preferences, flexible routines, hiring staff suited to person-centred care, and treating relatives as individual co-participants. They described changing the whole system as like turning a transatlantic liner.
• PTOTOther2023Changes in Functional Outcomes After an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program for Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)Solid-organ transplant recipients in a multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation program improved walking, balance, strength, independence, and quality of life; no control group means natural recovery cannot be separated.
• OTRNOther2023Characteristics of health care interventions in affordable senior housing: A scoping review.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Interventions were associated with improved wellness in 6 of 10 studies, symptom control in 8 of 8, and reduced health care use in 6 of 6 across 28 studies of US affordable senior housing. These were associations, not proven effects.
• OTQualitative2023Driving decisions after critical illness: Qualitative analysis of patient-provider reviews during ICU recovery clinic assessments.International journal of nursing studiesWhen ICU recovery providers asked survivors about driving, patients and care partners described self-imposed restrictions, shorter trips, cessation, anxiety, and safety worries. Providers started driving talk with a question about current driving.
• PTOTRNCase Series2023A Single-Center Retrospective Evaluation of Decision-Making and Factors Motivating Hand Transplant Candidates.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)In eight completed hand transplant evaluations, none proceeded to transplant. Patients often stopped because of rehabilitation time, lifelong immunosuppression, alternative options, or social and financial strain; teams stopped others for safety or incomplete follow-up.
• OTRNOther2023Older Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study of Care Experiences and Health-Related Quality of Life.Gastroenterology nursing : the official journal of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and AssociatesMost older Canadian adults with inflammatory bowel disease were satisfied with care but described low collaboration with healthcare teams. They planned life around bathroom access, fatigue pacing, and trusted providers who listened.
• PTOTRNSurvey2023Self-efficacy, resilience and healthy ageing among older people who have an acute hospital admission: A cross-sectional study.Nursing openAmong older people discharged home after an acute hospital admission, higher self-efficacy and resilience were linked to better healthy ageing. More co-morbidities were linked to worse healthy ageing. This does not show that raising self-efficacy improves outcomes.
• OTQualitative2023Sources of meaning in life among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.Nursing openSouth Korean older adults found meaning in learning, helping family, serving others, and staying healthy. Pandemic restrictions cut these sources, causing sadness; some adapted with video calls and new online skills, while others felt life stalled and drank more.
• OTRNOther2024Using Hybrid Effectiveness Studies to Facilitate Implementation in Community-Based Settings: Three Case Studies in Dementia Care Research.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationDementia care programs tested in real-world settings faced repeated implementation barriers: staff turnover, poor communication, and lack of organizational readiness. Readiness assessments were incorporated in some examples and were associated with smoother implementation.
• OTSystematic Review2023The Effect of COVID-19 on Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries: A Scoping Review.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationDual eligible older adults and people with disabilities had mixed pandemic outcomes: more hospitalizations and deaths in some studies, but less social disconnection in others, with worse food insecurity among those with disabilities.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Opportunities in the Extended Day: Approaches for Promoting Physical Activity and Healthy Eating During Out-of-School Time.The Journal of school healthOut-of-school time programs successfully improved the environment, increasing fruit, vegetable, and water availability and physical activity during sessions. However, few interventions changed children's overall daily eating habits or total physical activity levels outside the program hours.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Physical Activity Interventions During the School Day: Reviewing Policies, Practices, and Benefits.The Journal of school healthSchool-wide policies, physical education changes, and recess improvements generally increased student physical activity. However, over half the included studies had weak designs or no comparison group, so these gains may reflect secular trends rather than the interventions themselves.
• PTOTRNPilot2023Implementing Remote Patient Monitoring of Physical Activity in Clinical Practice.Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation NursesCardiology patients often kept using remote physical-activity devices, but diabetes step counts did not improve and self-report overestimated activity. These pilots show feasibility, not treatment effect.
• OTRNSurvey2023Quality of life and financial toxicity of hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients in COVID-19.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemHSCT recipients in outpatient follow-up reported low quality of life and mild financial strain. Higher quality-of-life scores tended to accompany lower financial strain, but this link was borderline and not firmly established.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2023Health effects of social connectedness in older adults living in congregate long-term care settings: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative evidence.International journal of older people nursingLower social connectedness in nursing homes and assisted living was linked with more depression, poorer quality of life, and faster death. Most evidence was from one-time comparisons, so it cannot prove connectedness causes better health.
• OTRNCohort2023Resilience, activities of daily living, and well-being in patients with chronic kidney disease.Nursing openWell-being did not show a clear change over six months in 105 CKD patients; daily living scores fell while resilience rose. Resilience was associated with better well-being, but no intervention was tested.
• OTPilot2023Time out weekly smile: A pilot test of a virtual respite program.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Three people with dementia, three care partners and three nursing student volunteers described a 12-week virtual respite program as giving protected time, mood lift and meaningful connection. This is a small experience report, not evidence the program works.
• PTOTRNSurvey2023Stroke severity to determine musculoskeletal symptoms in family caregivers.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemFamily caregivers of stroke survivors reported low back pain most often, and their low back and shoulder symptoms were linked to the patient's disability. Neck, hip, knee and foot pain did not track the patient's condition.
• OTRNQualitative2023Vulnerability in adolescents' daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PSome families grew closer during the pandemic, but adolescents also described job loss, limited internet, lost school and leisure, and violence or self-harm as daily-life vulnerability.
• OTSurvey2024Out-of-Pocket Expenses for Long-Term Care by Dementia Status and Residential Setting among US Older Adults.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults with dementia in facilities often paid substantial out-of-pocket long-term care costs. Median monthly costs were $1,467 in nursing homes and $2,925 in other residential care, and median income spent was 82.5% to 97.3%.
• OTRNQualitative2024Improving School Environments for Preventing Sexual Violence Among LGBTQ+ Youth.The Journal of school healthLGBTQ+ students identified five school changes to reduce sexual violence: gender-neutral spaces, staff training on inclusion, transparent reporting protocols, LGBTQ-competent mental health support, and sexual health education that explicitly covers their identities.
• PTOTRNCohort2023Association between Timing of Clinical Evaluation by a Physician or Advanced Practitioner and Risk of Rehospitalization in Older Adults Admitted to a Skilled Nursing Facility Following Hospitalization: A Cohort Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn skilled nursing facilities, a later first visit by a physician or advanced practitioner was associated with higher 14-day rehospitalization risk. Each day later was associated with 3% to 35% higher risk.
• OTRNQualitative2023Barriers to and Facilitators of Family Caregiving of Patients With COVID-19 Early in the Pandemic.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesFamily caregivers of intubated COVID-19 patients faced shifting advice, delayed rehab, isolation, stigma, and equipment problems. Reachable staff, clear discharge teaching, and practical home setup helped. This describes experiences, not tested care.
• PTOTCohortNear-Optimal Recovery Within 3 Months: Investigating Health-Related Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes After Single-Stage Bilateral Hip Replacement for Osteoarthritis.Orthopedic nursingPatients recovered most of their function and quality of life within three months of single-stage bilateral hip replacement. Scores plateaued by twelve months, with little further improvement after the first quarter.
• PTOTSLPRNRCT2023Effectiveness of a family-based program for post-stroke patients and families: A cluster randomized controlled trial.International journal of nursing sciencesIn Thai stroke families, a 10-week family program improved patient function and family functioning, and lowered patient depression at 12 weeks, but caregiver burden did not differ between groups.
• OTRNQualitative2023Resilient Adaptation Strategies: Unveiling Older Adults' Coping Dynamics Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of gerontological nursingOlder adults with frailty used life experience to reframe pandemic stress and actively problem-solved for social connection. They reported less fear of their own infection than fear of spreading it to others. Caregivers experienced higher mental health stress.
• OTSystematic Review2024Implementing Dementia Caregiver Programs in Real-World Settings: Fidelity Considerations.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAcross 31 real-world dementia caregiver programs, fidelity was defined and measured inconsistently, mainly as sessions delivered. In occupational therapy programs, therapists reported documentation difficulties; one training comparison found added training did not improve adherence.
• OTRNOther2023Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of peer support among disadvantaged groups: A rapid scoping review.International journal of nursing sciencesPeer support for vulnerable groups was reported to improve quality of life, mainly emotional and social outcomes, but poor matching, limited training, weak trust and uncertain sustainability were major problems.
• PTOTRNCohort2023Changes in body composition of burn patients during the phases of response to trauma.Revista brasileira de enfermagemBurn patients lost weight, body mass index, fat-free mass and skeletal muscle mass between admission and day 7. Total body water stayed stable, so the loss was real tissue depletion, not fluid shifts. BMI alone misses this and indirect assessment is needed.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2023Frailty Syndrome and sarcopenia in older adults with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus in the municipality of Sinop, Mato Grosso: an epidemiological study.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemOlder adults with type 2 diabetes were significantly more likely to be frail than those without diabetes. Sarcopenia rates were similar in both groups. Physical inactivity strongly increased the likelihood of both frailty and sarcopenia.
• OTCohort2024Profile of Older Dual-Enrollees Living in Areas with Managed Long-Term Services and Supports.Journal of the American Medical Directors Association56.2% of older adults on Medicare and Medicaid needing long-term care lived where managed long-term services were offered. They averaged 2.89 helpers and nearly 70 weekly care hours. Areas with these programs had more Hispanic adults and less nursing-home or residential care living.
• OTRNCohort2023Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on health and functional capacity in institutionalized older adults.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S POlder adults in nursing homes who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were more often classified as dependent six months later, lost more weight, and had higher systolic blood pressure than those who tested negative.
• PTOTRNOther2024Functional fitness and risk factors of older patients with diabetes combined with sarcopenia and/or frailty: A cross-sectional study.Nursing openIn hospitalized older adults with diabetes, those with frailty or sarcopenia had lower strength, walking, balance, and flexibility. A shorter 6-minute walk distance was linked to frailty or sarcopenia and can help flag mobility decline.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2024Investigation of patients' understanding of fibromyalgia: Results from an online qualitative survey.Patient education and counselingPatients with fibromyalgia reported confusion about causes, symptom unpredictability, and feeling invalidated by others. They sought specific education on etiology and treatment options rather than generic advice. This highlights gaps in current understanding and the need for targeted, ongoing patient education.
• OTRNQualitative2024Care partners experience of an oral health intervention for individuals with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia using behavior change technique: A qualitative study.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Prompts and cues were the most common strategy in the MCI group (74.4%) and the second most common in the MD group (66.7%). MCI caregivers coached brushing technique more; MD caregivers reminded about frequency.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2024The unmet rehabilitation needs of colorectal cancer survivors after surgery: A qualitative meta-synthesis.Nursing openColorectal cancer survivors after surgery said they lacked clear help with diet, exercise, bowel symptoms, stoma care, work and emotional support. These are reported needs, not tested interventions.
• PTOTRNCohort2024Association of frailty with activity levels and sedentary behaviours in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis: A cross-sectional study.Nursing openIn 503 hospitalized patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, 21.3% were frail. Frailty was significantly associated with higher age and worse liver function, and patients who were insufficiently active and highly sedentary had 2.829 times the odds of frailty.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2024Patients' experiences of day surgery and recovery: A meta-ethnography.Nursing openDay surgery patients wanted realistic, tailored information and support they could absorb after anaesthesia. Unexpected symptoms and no planned contact made them feel unsafe; phone calls, written instructions and family help were valued.
• PTOTRNRCT2024Life-Space of Older Adults after Discharge from Skilled Nursing Facilities.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationThirty days after skilled nursing facility discharge, older adults in this study had very limited life-space: mean score 22.6 on a 0 to 120 scale. Many needed equipment or another person to move. Higher cognitive test scores and shorter stay were associated with better scores.
• PTOTRNOther2024Symptomatology and Quality of Life of Older People With HIV and Comorbid Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases From an HIV Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACOlder people with HIV and COPD reported more depression, worse mobility, self-care, usual activities, and pain than those with HIV alone. Anxiety levels did not differ between the groups. The study describes these associations but cannot prove COPD caused them.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Presymptomatic Profiles of Cognitive Impairment with Prior Mobility Impairment.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults who later developed cognitive impairment and had prior slow gait showed lower psychomotor speed and manual dexterity seven years before symptoms. They also had higher BMI, blood pressure, and insulin resistance. These profiles suggest metabolic and motor pathways rather than memory decline precede dementia.
• OTCohort2024Patient Priorities Care Increases Long-Term Service and Support Use: Propensity Match Cohort Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder Veterans whose social workers used Patient Priorities Care were more likely to start home and community services than matched usual care Veterans, without more emergency or urgent care visits.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2024The prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in Thai older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing sciences20.7% of older Thai adults in the included studies had sarcopenia. Rates were 33.4% in hospitals, 23.2% in outpatient clinics and 17.3% in community. Age, male sex, low BMI and malnutrition were associated.
• OTRNSystematic Review2024Identification and information management of cognitive impairment of patients in acute care hospitals: An integrative review.International journal of nursing sciencesCognitive impairment in acute hospitals was often missed, undocumented, or not shared with patients, families, or primary care doctors, even when guidelines required screening and communication. For clinicians, this means screening cognition at admission and making sure results are recorded, handed over, and explained.
• PTOTRNNarrative Review2024Various Therapies for Lymphedema and Chronic Venous Insufficiency, Including a Multimodal At-Home Nonpneumatic Compression Treatment.Advances in skin & wound careNo single treatment cures chronic edema. Exercise, compression, skin care and self-management remain foundational. A portable nonpneumatic compression device may improve adherence, but evidence is limited.