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 136 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCohort2024Individualized goals expressed by patients undergoing stroke rehabilitation: an observational study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStroke patients prioritized walking and daily tasks, but few set goals for cognitive or visual deficits despite having them. Patient-specific goal measures capture functional activities well but may miss underlying impairments, so clinicians should ask about these areas directly rather than relying on scores.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2024Association between fear of falling and falls following acute and chronic stroke: a systematic review with meta-analysis.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePeople with acute stroke who answer yes to "are you afraid of falling?" have a higher risk of falls. In chronic stroke, a simple yes/no question misses the link, so use a confidence scale like the FES or ABC to spot the risk.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Is quality of life related to high autistic traits, high ADHD traits and their Interaction? Evidence from a Young-Adult Community-Based twin sample.Journal of autism and developmental disordersYoung adults with high autistic traits reported lower quality of life across all domains, even after accounting for ADHD traits and mental health difficulties. High ADHD traits were also linked to poorer physical and psychological quality of life. The combination of both traits did not worsen outcomes beyond their individual effects.
• OTPilot2023"Stop and just breathe for a minute": perspectives of children on the Autism Spectrum and their caregivers on a Mindfulness Group.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThe 10-week Mindful Movers group did not significantly change anxiety, mindfulness, or wellbeing scores in 10 children. In interviews, children and caregivers described feeling calmer, though some noticed no change.
• OTRCT2023Coping with uncertainty in everyday situations (CUES©) to address intolerance of uncertainty in autistic children: an intervention feasibility trial.Journal of autism and developmental disordersA parent group programme for autistic children's uncertainty was feasible and acceptable. It improved parents' confidence and helped children with specific 'wanted' situations, but showed no significant difference in general child anxiety scores compared to a control group.
• PTOTCohort2023Comparison of usefulness between the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and the Berg Balance Scale for measuring balance in patients with subacute stroke: a prospective cohort study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThe Mini-BESTest detects balance changes during subacute stroke rehab better than the Berg Balance Scale. The Berg scores hit a ceiling for 43% of patients at discharge, hiding further improvement. The Mini-BESTest avoided this, making it more useful for tracking progress in higher-functioning patients.
• OTSLPOther2023Autistic Traits and College Adjustment.Journal of autism and developmental disordersHigher levels of autistic traits predicted lower GPAs, more course failures, and poorer social outcomes in college students, even among those without an autism diagnosis. Clinicians should support students struggling with these issues regardless of diagnostic status.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Changes in postpartum insurance and care use by disability status during the COVID-19 pandemic.Disability and health journalDuring the pandemic, postpartum Medicaid coverage rose and uninsurance fell for people with disabilities. However, this did not lead to more postpartum visits or contraceptive care compared to people without disabilities. Coverage gains alone did not close the gap in care use.
• PTOTRCT2024Brain computer interface training with motor imagery and functional electrical stimulation for patients with severe upper limb paresis after stroke: a randomized controlled pilot trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBrain-computer interface training did not improve arm function more than standard therapy in severely impaired stroke patients. The main driver of recovery was whether the motor pathway was intact, not the type of training. Patients with damaged pathways showed little improvement regardless of intervention.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Characterization of an Italian population with neurological disorders in a rehabilitation setting using ClinFIT.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn 364 adults with neurological disorders, the ClinFIT Generic-30 tool identified severe problems in walking, moving around, and daily routines for over 30% of patients. It also captured issues like assisting others and intimate relationships that disease-specific core sets often miss.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Post-polio syndrome is not a dysimmune condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineBlood tests showed no immune system differences between people with post-polio syndrome and healthy controls. This challenges the theory that an ongoing immune attack causes new weakness and fatigue, suggesting symptoms may stem from nerve aging instead.
• PTOTSurvey2024Utilization and Perception of Peer-Support After Lower Limb Loss in the United States: Potential Benefits on Mobility Outcomes.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost lower-limb amputees in this survey viewed peer support positively, citing companionship and coping information. Mobility scores showed a non-significant trend toward improvement for those receiving support. Because participants were recruited via support groups, results may not apply to all patients.
• OTSLPCohort2023Structural Connectivity and Emotion Recognition Impairment in Children and Adolescents with Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome struggled to identify angry and happy faces, especially when surrounded by fearful faces. Brain scans showed tighter wiring in the right amygdala-fusiform pathway, which partially explained these social and emotional recognition difficulties.
• OTOther2024Moving a missing hand: children born with below elbow deficiency can enact hand grasp patterns with their residual muscles.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationChildren born without a hand produced distinct residual forearm muscle patterns when trying to move the missing hand. Ultrasound readings could tell apart five attempted grasp and wrist patterns in all six participants.
• OTSLPSurvey2024Autistic People's Perinatal Experiences I: A Survey of Pregnancy Experiences.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic people described pregnancy as more overwhelming and less supported. They were more likely to be overwhelmed by the sensory environments of appointments, to feel unheard by professionals, and to report all-day nausea, anxiety, depression, and pelvic girdle pain.
• OTQualitative2023A Qualitative Study on Parental Experience of Involvement in the Transition from Kindergarten to Primary School for Chinese Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of children with intellectual disabilities often start the school transition by forcing intense academic training and strict obedience, driven by denial of the diagnosis. When children regressed or resisted, support from family and peers helped parents shift to slower, child-led routines focused on well-being rather than test scores.
• OTOther2023An Observed Assessment of Sensory Responsivity in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Associations with Diagnosis, Age, and Parent Report.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAn observed sensory test found children and adolescents with ASD showed more over-responsivity and sensory craving than typically developing peers. Scores did not match parent report, so both sources may add information.
• OTCase-Control2023Investigation of Frequency-Specific Loudness Discomfort Levels in Listeners With Migraine: A Case-Control Study.Ear and hearingListeners with migraine found sounds mildly uncomfortable at lower levels than controls across 12 of 13 tested frequencies, with mid-to-high frequencies most affected.
• PTOTPilot2023A Remotely Delivered Yoga Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Feasibility and Effectiveness for Improving Skills Related to Physical Activity.Journal of autism and developmental disordersA 12-week remote yoga program improved leg strength, flexibility, and balance in adolescents with autism, but daily physical activity measured by sensors actually decreased. The study lacked a control group, so these changes cannot be attributed to the yoga alone.
• OTProtocol2023Development of a goal setting and goal management system: Intervention Mapping.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesMyGoals is a new six-step system for goal setting in community rehabilitation. It was designed with clients and therapists to fix gaps in current practice, but it has not yet been tested to see if it actually improves patient outcomes.
• OTSLPQualitative2023Understanding the Use of the Term "Weaponized Autism" in An Alt-Right Social Media Platform.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic people online describe the term "weaponized autism" as a badge of honour that offers identity and belonging, but it rests on a stereotype that devalues them as socially awkward tools. This acceptance can make hate groups more appealing than mainstream society.
• PTOTCohort2024Patient Outcomes After Peripheral Nerve Injury Depend on Bimanual Dexterity and Preserved Use of the Affected Hand.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairBetter patient outcomes after hand nerve injury depend on dexterity in the non-dominant hand and continued use of the affected hand. Standard tests miss hand dominance, so clinicians should assess both hands separately and encourage using the injured hand.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024The Life After Stroke In Northern Sweden Study (LASINS): Methodology, cohort demographics and initial results.NeuroRehabilitationStroke survivors in northern Sweden, averaging three years post-stroke, mostly reported mild to moderate recovery. They completed a comprehensive survey on sleep, mood, fatigue, and activity, establishing a baseline for future research rather than testing a treatment.
• PTOTNarrative Review2023When, where, and why should we look for vestibular dysfunction in people with diabetes mellitus?Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeripheral vestibular dysfunction is common in people with diabetes even without dizziness. However, the link to balance problems is unproven. Do not routinely screen for vestibular issues unless balance deficits are present.
• PTOTPilot2023Feasibility of a new intervention addressing group-based balance and high-intensity training, physical activity, and employment in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a pilot randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA multidisciplinary balance and exercise programme was feasible and safe for employed people with MS, but showed no benefit over usual care. Participants reported fewer work barriers within the group, but the trial was too small to prove the intervention works.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Adaptive outdoor physical activities for adults with mobility disability: a scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesParticipation in adaptive outdoor activities depends less on the disability itself and more on program design. Barriers include cost, lack of trained staff, and inaccessible transport. Facilitators involve equipment that looks like standard gear, shared control options, and peer mentors.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023Screening for Autism Spectrum Condition Through Inner City Homeless Services in the Republic of Ireland.Journal of autism and developmental disordersKeyworkers screening homeless adults in Dublin found 3% had likely autism and 9% had possible traits, much higher than the general population. These clients faced more self-neglect and medication non-adherence. Screening by staff observation is not a diagnosis, but it highlights a critical gap in recognizing autism in homeless services.
• OTSurvey2023Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Contexts Associated with Emotional Outbursts.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBrazilian caregivers described three recurring contexts for emotional outbursts in children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, similar to English patterns. Existing English profiles did not reliably sort Brazilian responses, so local context patterns should guide assessment.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Vestibular Vertigo and Disparities in Healthcare Access Among Adults in the United States.Ear and hearingAdults with vestibular vertigo face significantly higher barriers to care than those without. Uninsured individuals were far more likely to skip medications or delay specialist visits due to cost. African Americans with vertigo were also more likely to delay care due to transportation issues.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023The effect of unpredictability on the perception of breathlessness: a narrative review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesExperimental studies found that unpredictable breathlessness triggers more sustained fear and anxiety than predictable breathlessness. This constant threat worsens the unpleasantness of the sensation, even if the physical intensity remains unchanged, suggesting that managing patient expectations and control is as vital as treating the breathing itself.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Walking test outcomes in adults with genetic neuromuscular diseases: a systematic literature review of their measurement properties.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineThe 6-minute walk test is the most studied measure for adults with genetic neuromuscular diseases. It reliably tracks distance but lacks data on detecting change over time. The 10-meter walk is a strong alternative for assessing speed and functional change.
• PTOTRCT2024Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation in rehabilitation of upper extremity hemiparesis following stroke: a pilot study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdding repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation to standard therapy and brain stimulation did not improve upper-limb recovery more than brain stimulation and therapy alone. Both active groups improved significantly more than the sham group, but the added peripheral stimulation offered no extra benefit.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Facilitators to alleviate loneliness and social isolation as identified by individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders: A qualitative study.Rehabilitation psychologyVeterans with spinal cord injuries identified eight strategies to ease loneliness, ranging from pursuing hobbies and getting outside to connecting with peers who share their experience. They emphasized that acceptance of their new normal and finding a sense of purpose were critical internal shifts.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2024Measuring Neuroplasticity in Response to Cardiovascular Exercise in People With Stroke: A Critical Perspective.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairCurrent biomarkers for measuring neuroplasticity after cardiovascular exercise in stroke survivors are inconsistent and rarely linked to functional recovery. While exercise shows promise, no specific marker reliably predicts clinical benefit, so treatment decisions should remain based on patient function rather than biological measures.
• PTOTPilot2024Reminiscent music therapy combined with robot-assisted rehabilitation for elderly stroke patients: a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding reminiscent music to robot therapy improved self-efficacy and positive emotions more than robot therapy or usual care alone. However, the primary outcome of daily living activities showed no significant difference between the three groups. All groups improved from their own baselines.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Barriers and facilitators of public transport use among people with disabilities: a scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeople with disabilities face barriers at every step of public transport use, from walking to the stop to riding the bus. Physical issues like steep ramps and social issues like driver attitudes were common. Travel training may help improve confidence and reduce fear.
• PTOTSurvey2023Factors affecting social integration after road traffic orthopaedic injuries in Rwanda.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTwo years after Rwandan road traffic orthopaedic injuries, most survivors reported no limitations, but lifting, mobility, household and community tasks were hardest. Older age, female sex, no rehabilitation and longer stays were linked to worse integration.
• PTOTCohort2023Investigating how Explicit Contextual Cues Affect Predictive Sensorimotor Control in Autistic Adults.Journal of autism and developmental disordersExplicit visual cues about ball bounciness did not improve interceptive performance in autistic adults. Autistic participants continued to show lower hit rates and restricted arm movements compared to controls, regardless of whether they received advance information about the environment.
• OTOther2023The Associations Between Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity Levels and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities, more light, moderate, or vigorous activity was linked to better quality of life or self-concept. Vigorous activity was linked to lower self-concept. Only 13.7% met the 60-minute moderate-to-vigorous guideline.
• OTSLPCase-Control2023Discrimination and Harassment Experiences of Autistic College Students and Their Neurotypical Peers: Risk and Protective Factors.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic college students did not report more discrimination or harassment than their non-autistic peers. However, participating in campus groups was linked to higher rates of negative experiences, especially for autistic students. Strong faculty support and academic problem-solving skills were associated with fewer incidents for everyone.
• OTSurvey2023Attitudes to Interpersonal Touch in the Workplace in Autistic and non-Autistic Groups.Journal of autism and developmental disordersEmployed autistic adults reported more negative attitudes to general, social and workplace touch, plus greater loneliness and lower wellbeing. Workplace touch attitudes did not predict loneliness or wellbeing; general touch attitudes and touch’s role at work did.
• OTOther2024Sensory Reactivity of Infants at Elevated Likelihood of Autism and Associations with Caregiver Responsiveness.Journal of autism and developmental disordersInfants who seemed to miss sensory cues received less caregiver reaction, unless they also showed strong negative reactions. When strong negative reactions were present, more missed cues went with more caregiver reaction.
• PTOTOther2024Development and validation of the coffee task: a novel functional assessment for prosthetic grip selection.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThe Coffee Task reliably measures prosthetic grip selection in healthy users. It tracks skill improvement with practice but cannot distinguish between trigger and pattern recognition control. Use it to monitor rehabilitation progress, not to compare controller types.
• PTOTPilot2024Validity and Reliability of a Telehealth Physical Fitness and Functional Assessment Battery for Ambulatory Youth With and Without Mobility Disabilities: Observational Measurement Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesHand grip, sit-to-stand, and timed walk tests matched in-person scores closely when done via video. The home-modified six-minute walk did not match in-person distances and should not be compared to them. No falls occurred.
• PTOTCohort2024Prevalence of Arm Weakness, Pre-Stroke Outcomes and Other Post-Stroke Impairments Using Routinely Collected Clinical Data on an Acute Stroke Unit.Neurorehabilitation and neural repair34.8% of 463 stroke patients at one acute hospital had upper limb weakness at a median of 1.0 day post-stroke. No one with severe weakness went home directly.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2024Effects of physical exercise interventions on balance, postural stability and general mobility in Parkinson's disease: a network meta-analysis.Journal of rehabilitation medicineBalance exercises were the only intervention to improve all measured outcomes of mobility and stability. Dance, alternative exercises like Tai Chi, and resistance training also showed significant benefits. Combining these elements in a multimodal programme is likely more effective than any single exercise type alone.
• OTSLPOther2024Transitions Pop-ups: Co-designing client-centred support for disabled youth transitioning to adult life.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesDisabled youth, families and service providers wanted transition support to start early, connect with peers, and complete one task at a time. The resulting Transitions Pop-ups model offers targeted sessions with adult services, not proof that it improves transition outcomes.
• PTOTCohort2024Changes in self-perceived performance and satisfaction with performance of daily activities following interdisciplinary rehabilitation in people with late effects of polio.NeuroRehabilitationMean self-perceived performance and satisfaction improved slightly after interdisciplinary rehabilitation, but only 22% and 19% of participants respectively reached clinically relevant change thresholds. Some participants scored lower at discharge. The program’s broad, tailored nature makes it hard to attribute gains to specific interventions.
• OTQualitative2023Using the COM-B Model and Theoretical Domains Framework to Understand Workplace Disclosure Experiences, Influencers, and Needs Among Autistic Young Adults.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic young adults mostly described workplace environment and fear of stigma as driving disclosure decisions. Many needed accommodations but stayed silent due to discrimination concerns. Most preferred selective disclosure to managers after hiring, often lacking knowledge on how to navigate the process.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023Telehealth Delivery in Part C Early Intervention: Provider and Caregiver Perspectives.Journal of autism and developmental disordersEarly intervention telehealth shifted sessions toward coaching caregivers and away from direct child work. Providers and caregivers reported lost session time, fewer goals, technology burdens, and child disengagement, alongside convenience and safety. These are experiences, not outcome evidence.