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 126 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTNarrative Review2023Leadership and well-being of employees in the Nordic countries: A literature review.Work (Reading, Mass.)Leadership affects employee well-being mostly indirectly, by shaping the work environment and social climate. Transformational and supportive styles link to job satisfaction, but the specific behaviours that cause these changes remain unclear and context-dependent.
• OTSLPPilot2023Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Family Literacy Program in an Under-Resourced Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPAn online bilingual literacy program for Latino families was feasible and acceptable during the pandemic. Parents valued the ability to participate alongside their children and access healthcare professionals. The study tested feasibility, not whether the program improved children's school readiness or language skills.
• OTSLPSurvey2023Do we react differently toward bionic devices vs. cochlear implants and wheelchairs? Possible links with personality traits.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesRomanian adults reported more negative attitudes toward a woman with a bionic eye than to one in a wheelchair or with a cochlear implant. Higher agreeability and lower neuroticism linked to more positive attitudes across all groups.
• PTOTSLPOther2023The structure of the Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index (ERBI) should be modified: evidence from a Rasch analysis study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineThe Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index fails to accurately measure functional changes in patients with severe acquired brain injury. Most patients scored at the lowest possible level, meaning the test cannot distinguish between different degrees of impairment or track recovery in this population.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Effect of Trunk Solution® on hemodynamics in the supplementary motor area during walking.Journal of physical therapy scienceWearing a spring-loaded trunk orthosis reduced brain activity in the supplementary motor area during walking in healthy adults. Usual walking without the device showed no significant change. This suggests the orthosis may lower the neural effort required to keep the trunk upright.
• PTOTRCT2023Efficacy of integrating a semi-immersive virtual device in the HABIT-ILE intervention for children with unilateral cerebral palsy: a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationReplacing half the hands-on therapy time in a HABIT-ILE camp with a virtual screen device improved hand function and daily life skills just as well as usual therapy. It did not improve walking, so keep lower-limb practice physical.
• OTOther2022Finger dexterity in well-functioning cohort of office workers in Macau.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTNormative data for the O'Connor Finger Dexterity Test in Macau office workers showed no significant differences by age, sex, or typing hours. However, the sample size was too small to generate reliable norms, so these values should be used with caution.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022An exploratory study on the role of occupational therapists in home-based rehabilitation team in South Korea.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTHome rehab team members in South Korea had five distinct views on the OT role. Some focused on home safety and environment, while others prioritized professional development or client needs. These differing perspectives highlight the need for clear role identity to improve team cooperation.
• OTCohort2022Psychosocial, Medical, and Demographic Variables Associated with Parent Mealtime Behavior in Young Children Recently Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPParents of very young children with new Type 1 diabetes who have better problem-solving skills report less frequent and less problematic mealtime behaviors. Fear of hypoglycemia and family functioning were linked to mealtime stress but did not independently predict behavior after accounting for problem-solving ability.
• OTSurvey2022Influences of COVID-19 pandemic and the states of emergency on occupational therapy for physical disorders: A questionnaire survey in Hokkaido, Japan.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTFacilities serving physical disorders reported that emergency declarations restricted patient participation and outpatient services, with no significant increase in total discontinuation of therapy. Staff adapted by moving sessions to wards or bedside and limiting group work. However, more than half of assessment and treatment responses indicated no change from the pre-declaration period.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Variable patterns of daily activity participation across settings in autistic youth: A latent profile transition analysis.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMost autistic teens stay in low-participation groups at school and in the community from early to middle adolescence. Only 8% are active across all settings. Environmental supportiveness predicted participation more strongly than income or IQ, suggesting barriers matter more than ability.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Utilization of overground exoskeleton gait training during inpatient rehabilitation: a descriptive analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationPatients with stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury tolerated progressively longer and more independent walking in overground exoskeletons during inpatient rehabilitation. Therapists used specific clinical milestones to decide when to start, challenge, and stop the device, but no control group proves this approach improves outcomes.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023How are you getting by? Coping in developmental coordination disorder versus attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.The British journal of occupational therapyAdults with ADHD relied heavily on behavioral strategies like lists and routines. Those with DCD used more cognitive and environmental changes, such as planning ahead or minimizing distractions. People with both conditions reported the widest variety of coping methods, including more medication and therapy use.
• OTSurvey2023Establishment in productive occupations and perceived work ability among former students with special educational needs one year after upper secondary education.Work (Reading, Mass.)One year after school, 63% of students with special needs were working or studying. Those who passed all subjects and did not need time-management aids were more likely to be established. Interviews revealed daily routines and workplace support were key barriers to work ability.
• OTSurvey2023CRISIS AFAR: an international collaborative study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and service access in youth with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions.Molecular autismYouth with autism or neurodevelopmental conditions split into four pandemic impact groups. Only 20% had broad symptom worsening, and this group did not have the greatest service loss. Sleep problems worsened on average, while service losses varied widely.
• OTQualitative2023Exploring the perspectives of 'young adults' (18-24) who have been in formal care and their experiences of attending a socially prescribed community allotment gardening group.The British journal of occupational therapyCare leavers described allotment gardening as a safe space where shared physical tasks with peers reduced isolation. The group offered respite from past trauma, allowing them to build confidence and social connections without scrutiny.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Exploring community reintegration among Nigerian stroke survivors.The South African journal of physiotherapyTwelve Nigerian stroke survivors described how mobility and communication barriers stopped them working, cooking or socialising. Those who returned to roles relied on family support and a positive mindset. This reports their lived experience, not evidence that any specific intervention improves reintegration.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023Application of the Rasch measurement model in rehabilitation research and practice: early developments, current practice, and future challenges.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesRasch analysis converts ordinal rehabilitation scores into interval measures, but only if strict statistical requirements are met. Ignoring local item dependency or sample size limits can inflate reliability and mislead clinical interpretation.
• OTQualitative2023Swimming Lessons for Children With Autism: Parent and Teacher Experiences.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthParents sought swimming lessons primarily to prevent drowning, but later valued them for family connection and sensory regulation. Teachers relied on trial and error due to a lack of specialized training, creating access barriers based on individual teacher personality rather than standard support.
• OTSLPRCT2023The earlier the better: An RCT of treatment timing effects for toddlers on the autism spectrum.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceToddlers who started intensive, individualized parent coaching at 18 months made larger gains in language, social communication and daily living skills than those who started the same coaching at 27 months. The effect was not seen for less intensive group education.
• OTOther2022Development and Verification of Postural Control Assessment Using Deep-Learning-Based Pose Estimators: Towards Clinical Applications.Occupational therapy internationalMediaPipe Pose offers the best balance of speed and accuracy for assessing postural control from video. Two calculated indices, SPB1 and AG2, better predict therapists' clinical judgments than simply timing how long a child holds a posture, especially when duration scores hit the 60-second ceiling.
• OTSurvey2022Acceptance of 3D Printing by Occupational Therapists: An Exploratory Survey Study.Occupational therapy internationalMost occupational therapists surveyed are keen to use 3D printing for assistive devices, especially those in developing economies. However, many lack access to printers and struggle with design software, meaning positive intent does not yet translate into independent practice without support.
• PTOTOther2023Baseline Range of Motion, Strength, Motor Function, and Participation in Youth with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsYouth with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome have universal joint stiffness and reduced grip strength compared to same-age peers. However, strength matches their height, not their age. Walking endurance is the main activity limit, while balance remains largely intact.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Lower Extremity Research.International journal of sports physical therapyMost lower extremity research uses questionnaires that were not recommended by systematic reviews. Only two of fifteen conditions matched. Check if your tool has strong evidence before trusting the scores.
• OTQualitative2023Understanding work inclusion: Analysis of the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities on employment in the Icelandic labor market.Work (Reading, Mass.)Nine employees with intellectual disabilities described work inclusion as depending on good social relations and trust. Negative interactions led to insecurity or quitting, while being trusted with valued tasks fostered belonging. Their experiences highlight that job placement alone does not guarantee inclusion.
• OTCohort2023Social Network Diversity and Mental Health Among Mothers of Individuals With Autism.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesHaving a wider variety of relationships, not just more friends, protected mothers of adults with autism against depression over 12 years. Mothers with diverse networks had lower symptoms, and those with fewer symptoms maintained more diverse ties.
• OTPilot2023Feasibility of force myography for the direct control of an assistive robotic hand orthosis in non-impaired individuals.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn 10 healthy men, a forearm force sensor band classified intended open or close commands while a robotic hand orthosis was worn, reaching 92.9% correct offline. Only 6 reached 90% for both commands, and no impaired users were tested.
• OTOther2023Subjective perceptions that affect the continued employment of persons with mental disabilities in Japan: A mixed-methods study.Work (Reading, Mass.)Workers with mental disabilities found co-worker interactions the hardest part of keeping a job. They valued pre-agreed accommodations from supervisors more than informal help. Support should focus on clarifying workplace rules and building routines rather than relying on unspoken social cues.
• OTQualitative2023Managers' and employees' experiences of how managers' wellbeing impacts their leadership behaviours in Swedish small businesses.Work (Reading, Mass.)Managers' wellbeing visibly shaped their leadership: feeling well made them more available and supportive, while feeling unwell led to withdrawal and irritability. Employees noticed these shifts but reported little lasting impact on their work, as stable relationships and mutual support buffered the negative effects.
• PTOTOther2023The Usability of a Touchpad Active Video Game Controller for Individuals With Impaired Mobility: Observational Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAll 21 participants with mobility impairments used a touchpad video game controller while sitting, standing, or in wheelchairs. They rated it usable and enjoyable, though it required frequent adjustments like repositioning pads or adding conductive tape to prosthetics.
• OTSLPCohort2023Short report: The role of oral hypersensitivity in feeding behaviors of young autistic children.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceYoung autistic children with oral hypersensitivity showed more food acceptance problems and caused caregivers more negative feelings, but their mealtime behaviors and oral motor skills did not differ from non-hypersensitive peers. Screening for taste and texture sensitivity helps identify which feeding issues to target.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023EARLY CONSIDERATIONS OF GENETICS IN APHASIA REHABILITATION: A NARRATIVE REVIEW.AphasiologyGenetic factors like BDNF and APOE may influence how well patients recover language after a stroke. This review suggests these genes could help match patients to specific therapies, such as brain stimulation, but no genetic testing is currently used in routine clinical care.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Is it Time to Normalize Scapular Dyskinesis? The Incidence of Scapular Dyskinesis in Those With and Without Symptoms: a Systematic Review of the Literature.International journal of sports physical therapyScapular dyskinesis appears in 60% of people with shoulder symptoms and 48% of those without. Because nearly half of asymptomatic individuals show this movement pattern, it is likely normal variation rather than a pathology that requires correction.
• OTOther2023The economic cost of fatal workplace accidents in Sweden - A methodology for long-term decision analysis.Work (Reading, Mass.)This paper describes an economic model for estimating the societal cost of fatal workplace accidents in Sweden. It reports no clinical outcomes or rehabilitation interventions, so there is nothing here for therapists to act on.
• OTRCT2023The NuroSleeve, a user-centered 3D printed hybrid orthosis for individuals with upper extremity impairment.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFive stroke survivors used a custom 3D-printed sleeve with electrical stimulation for eight weeks. Most reported clinically meaningful improvements in daily tasks when wearing the device. This is a small feasibility study, not proof of efficacy.
• PTOTSurvey2023Examining psychosocial factors associated with receiving workplace accommodations among people with disabilities.Work (Reading, Mass.)Perceived workplace support increased the odds of receiving accommodations. Receiving accommodations was linked to higher job satisfaction. Self-efficacy, affect, and knowledge of rights showed no association with receiving accommodations in this sample.
• PTOTCohort2023Functional characteristics and subjective disease perception in patients with COVID-19 two months after hospital discharge.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTwo months after discharge, post-COVID patients given only general activity materials did not clearly recover physically or mentally. Some frailty, sarcopenia and cognitive scores improved, but walking, strength and breathing did not.
• PTOTRCT2023Contextual sensory integration training vs. traditional vestibular rehabilitation: a pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBoth traditional vestibular rehab and an immersive VR headset program improved dizziness and walking balance equally. The VR approach was not superior to standard care in this small pilot, though both groups saw clinically important gains over eight weeks.
• OTQualitative2023Social Participation and Navigation: Formative Evaluation of a Remote Intervention for Autistic Adolescents and Young Adults.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthExperts recommended adapting a remote social participation program for autistic teens by using experienced clinicians instead of peer coaches, focusing on one functional goal at a time, and avoiding interventions targeting core autistic traits like eye contact.
• OTSLPQualitative2023Factors influencing the mental health of autistic children and teenagers: Parents' observations and experiences.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents identified school environment and communication skills as critical for their autistic teenagers' mental health. Bullying, sensory overload, and rigid academic expectations worsened anxiety, while specialist schools with accepting peers and visual supports improved well-being. Lack of ongoing support services left parents feeling helpless.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023What are the benefits and harms of physical activity on irritable bowel syndrome? - A Cochrane Review summary with commentary.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePhysical activity may improve overall irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, but evidence for quality of life and pain relief is uncertain. All findings were rated very low certainty due to bias and inconsistency, so results should be treated with caution.
• OTCohort2023Associations Between Technology Use, Responsive Feeding, and Child Temperament Among Prior Prenatal Intervention Participants.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPMothers who watched TV or used phones during dinner were significantly less responsive to their toddlers' fullness cues. Children of distracted mothers showed stronger early signs of being full, while mothers with children rated as more difficult were more likely to use devices.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Predicting institutionalization after Subacute Stroke Rehabilitation using the 12-Item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule.Journal of rehabilitation medicineA 12-item disability questionnaire completed by caregivers at discharge accurately predicted which stroke patients would need institutional care. Scores above 27.7 indicated a high likelihood of institutionalization. Participation limitations were as predictive as daily activity limitations, suggesting discharge planning should weigh social engagement heavily.
• OTOther2023A Clinically Significant Difference on the COPM: A Review.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieThe common rule that a 2-point COPM change is clinically important lacks research evidence. Client self-report of meaningful functional gain should be used instead of assuming a 2-point change matters.
• PTOTOther2023Spatiotemporal parameters from remote smartphone-based gait analysis are associated with lower extremity functional scale categories.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesSmartphone-recorded gait speed, cadence, and stride length closely tracked self-reported lower limb function in people recovering from hip or knee replacement. Asymmetry measures did not track function well. The app data supports monitoring recovery outside the clinic.
• PTOTRCT2023Robotic arm training in neurorehabilitation enhanced by augmented reality - a usability and feasibility study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA prototype robot arm plus HoloLens game was safe and usable in patients with upper limb weakness, but patients rated reliability lower than established arm robots.
• OTQualitative2023'I left feeling different about myself': What students learn on their first practice placement.The British journal of occupational therapyStudents described their first placement as a personal journey, not just skill acquisition. They learned to manage emotions and build professional identity alongside clinical tasks. Educators should expect this self-development and plan for it when designing simulated placements.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023The role of lung volume recruitment therapy in neuromuscular disease: a narrative review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesLung volume recruitment reliably increases cough strength and lung inflation during the manoeuvre, but recent randomised trials show no long-term benefit on lung function or quality of life. It is not proven to prevent infections or slow disease decline.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023Learning challenges in Physical Therapy, Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, and Occupational Therapy undergraduate programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.CoDASPT, OT, and SLP students and their professors mostly preferred in-person learning and rated it essential. They saw some remote-learning benefits, but students rated professional and communication skill gains lower than professors did.
• OTQualitative2023The Kawa Model: A Self-Reflection Tool for Occupational Therapy Student Development in Practice Placements in Australia.Occupational therapy internationalSix occupational therapy students described using the Kawa Model with peer and educator support to notice barriers, set goals, and review progress during remote placements. Some found the river metaphor hard.