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 142 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCohort2024Impact of deep brain stimulation on gait in Parkinson disease: A kinematic study.Gait & postureGait speed, step length, and stride length worsened less than a year after deep brain stimulation, even though medication doses dropped and clinical motor scores improved. These kinematic declines were not predicted by target site or medication changes.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Validation and reliability analysis of the Questionnaire on the Emotional Impact of Vertigo-CIEV version translated to the Brazilian Portuguese language.CoDASThe Brazilian Portuguese version of the CIEV questionnaire reliably identifies emotional impact and anxiety risk in patients with vertigo. It correlates strongly with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, particularly in the emotional domain, offering a practical tool for assessing psychological distress in vestibular patients.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Functional outcomes of patients in ICU using the Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment tool: An integrative review.The South African journal of physiotherapyThe Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment tool reliably measures physical and respiratory function in ICU patients. It correlates with discharge location and helps plan rehabilitation. However, using it did not reduce the length of stay in the ICU or hospital.
• PTOTOther2023Factors affecting quality of life in adults with HIV: A local cross-sectional study.The South African journal of physiotherapyYoung adults with HIV who were not obviously impaired still reported problems with pain, anxiety and mobility. Poorer quality of life was linked to low household income, taking many medications, long time since diagnosis, and weak leg endurance, not just HIV severity.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024"My Autism is Linked with Everything": at the Crossroads of Autism and Diabetes.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic adults with diabetes described prioritising their mental health and avoiding autistic burnout over strict diabetes self-management. They often masked their autism from clinicians, leading to advice that did not fit their sensory or executive functioning needs.
• PTOTOther2024Use of functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify cortical loci for lower limb movements and their efficacy for individuals after stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA custom footplate and leg cushion reduced head motion during fMRI, allowing researchers to map specific brain areas for lower limb movements. In stroke survivors, brain activity patterns in these mapped areas correlated with motor function scores, suggesting these loci could help target future neurorehabilitation.
• OTOther2024Fatigue in children using motor imagery and P300 brain-computer interfaces.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBCI tasks were not more fatiguing than a film, although fatigue rose after 30-minute tasks. The brain-wave fatigue marker did not match the reported fatigue.
• OTSLPPilot2024The emotional support plan: Feasibility trials of a brief, telehealth-based mobile intervention to support coping for autistic adults.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults found a brief, clinician-guided digital coping plan acceptable and relevant. Self-guided versions received mixed feedback, with some users feeling the strategies were redundant if they already had therapy. The plan worked best as a starting point for identifying personal coping tools.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024School Attendance Problems Among Children with Neurodevelopmental Conditions One year Following the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of autism and developmental disordersFor children with autism or intellectual disability, school absence was driven by unmet needs and anxiety, not COVID-19. Positive parent-teacher relationships and predictable routines helped attendance. Parents reported lack of differentiated support as a major barrier.
• OTSLPQualitative2024"It just depends": Parent, teacher, and expert conceptualization of social communication in young autistic children.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents, teachers, and experts said social communication in autistic children aged 2-6 depends on context. Unusual forms like hand leading or scripting can be meaningful, while emotion regulation, AAC, breaks, and familiar partners shape how communication was understood.
• PTOTOther2024Effectiveness of a classification-based approach to low back pain in primary care - a benchmarking controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineClassification-based care for low back pain did not improve physical functioning at 12 months. However, patients in the intervention group recovered sooner, used less healthcare, had fewer imaging scans, and took fewer sick days than those receiving usual care.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Bone-anchored prostheses for transfemoral amputation: a systematic review of outcomes, complications, patient experiences, and cost-effectiveness.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesBone-anchored prostheses significantly improve mobility and quality of life for transfemoral amputees who cannot tolerate socket prostheses. Infections are common but usually managed with antibiotics. The procedure is most cost-effective for patients who currently struggle the most with their existing prosthetics.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Sagittal and transverse ankle angle coupling can influence prosthetic socket transverse plane moments.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA motorized prosthesis coupling sagittal and transverse motion showed a 6:1 ratio trended toward lower socket torque during straight and outside-circle walking, but results were inconsistent and no other gait metrics changed.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Experiencing accessibility of historical heritage places with individuals living with visible and invisible disabilities.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTwenty-one adults with visible and invisible disabilities described how historic sites block participation. Echoes, crowds, and sensory overload hindered autistic and deaf participants, while uneven pavement stopped one interview. Accessibility solutions requiring staff assistance reduced autonomy and caused discomfort.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Long-term impact of a community-based adapted boxing program on physical functioning and quality of life of individuals with Parkinson's disease.NeuroRehabilitationIndividuals with Parkinson's disease attending community boxing for over a year showed improved mobility and leg strength. Balance did not change. Quality of life scores worsened slightly, though the change was smaller than the threshold for clinical significance. There was no control group.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2023Alleviation of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) pain and disability following COVID-19 vaccine with chiropractic biophysics® (CBP®) methods: a case report and long-term follow-up with global implications.Journal of physical therapy scienceOne man with severe shoulder pain after a COVID vaccine reported zero pain and better posture after chiropractic stretches and spinal traction. Because he received several treatments at once, it is impossible to tell which one caused the improvement.
• PTOTOther2023Effectiveness of locomotion training in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective clinical trial.Journal of physical therapy scienceSix months of home-based locomotion training reduced disability scores from 0.24 to 0.16 on a 3-point scale and lowered pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Without a control group, natural variation cannot be ruled out, but the exercises are simple and low-intensity.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Frailty recommendations and guidelines: an evaluation of the implementability and a critical appraisal of clinical applicability by the ISPRM Frailty Focus Group.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineFour existing frailty guidelines were considered usable, with recommendations for screening, exercise, nutrition, medication review, home safety, swallowing and continence care. Their strength varies, and many recommendations rest on low evidence.
• PTOTCohort2024Diabetes is associated with longitudinal declined physical performance measures in persons with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicinePeople with knee osteoarthritis and diabetes lost walking speed and took longer to stand up five times over eight years compared to those without diabetes. This suggests diabetes accelerates physical decline in this population, warranting regular mobility checks.
• OTRCT2024Evaluation of power wheelchair driving performance in simulator compared to driving in real-life situations: the SIMADAPT (simulator ADAPT) project-a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn 31 expert power wheelchair users, a virtual simulator produced collisions similar to real driving on easy and moderate circuits, but more collisions on the hardest circuit. Cybersickness was low, but mental effort was higher.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Nutrition and Food Security Among Veterans: Operationalizing Nutritional Functioning.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationVeterans with polytrauma face nutritional barriers rooted in psychosocial and cognitive factors, not just food access. Many view food assistance as a "handout" and struggle with meal planning due to PTSD and pain, requiring tailored rehabilitation interventions that address these specific psychological and functional obstacles.
• OTSLPRCT2024Comparative effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction and psychoeducational support on parenting stress in families of autistic preschoolers.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMindfulness training reduced parenting stress more than psychoeducation over 12 months. Both groups improved, but mindfulness showed a steeper decline, with significant differences emerging only at the final follow-up. This suggests mindfulness offers sustained benefit beyond initial support.
• PTOTOther2023Relationship between muscle activity characteristics and physical therapy parameters during posterior gait assistance with knee-ankle-foot orthosis in severe acute stroke hemiplegic patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn acute stroke patients using a knee-ankle-foot orthosis with therapist support, all measured leg muscles worked hardest in the first half of the step. Rectus femoris activity correlated with balance and movement scores, offering a possible indicator of function when voluntary movement is hard to assess.
• OTCase-Control2023A preliminary 'shortlist' of individual, family, and social-community assets to promote resilience in pediatric ADHD.Research in developmental disabilitiesPeer acceptance and social skills were the strongest links to resilience in children with ADHD. Academic competence also mattered. Unlike typical children, those with ADHD showed no benefit from higher parental involvement, suggesting standard family-focused strategies may need adjustment for this group.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Early Sleep Differences in Young Infants with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPInfants later diagnosed with autism slept less overall in their first six months, but their night-day sleep pattern matched typical peers. How much sleep they got did not predict later development. However, sleeping more at night predicted better fine motor and language skills.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Applicability of fractional anisotropy from standardized automated tractography for outcome prediction of patients after stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 14 stroke patients, fractional anisotropy from automated tractography strongly predicted long-term motor recovery. This method worked even when comparing raw lesion-side scores, unlike standard region-of-interest mapping which failed on raw scores. It offers a practical tool for prognosis without needing healthy-side comparisons.
• PTOTCohort2023Smoothness of gait in healthy older females and patients with postoperative proximal femur fracture.Journal of physical therapy scienceWomen recovering from hip fractures had smoother gait measured by one-step analysis (HR) than stride analysis (mHR), unlike healthy controls. This mismatch suggests they rely on compensatory strategies per stride rather than stable single-step control, indicating residual instability despite being independent.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Predictive Factors for Successful Decannulation in Patients with Tracheostomies and Brain Injuries: A Systematic Review.DysphagiaFor patients with brain injuries, decannulation success is predicted by better consciousness, effective swallowing, and a strong cough. Younger age and traumatic rather than anoxic causes also help. These factors suggest who might tolerate tube removal, but do not guarantee it.
• PTOTOther2024Minimal clinically important differences of spatiotemporal gait variables in Parkinson disease.Gait & postureIn Parkinson disease, specific gait changes mark clinically important differences: 8.2cm/s for speed, 3.6cm for step length, and about 0.7% for variability. These values help determine if treatment effects are real or just measurement noise.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Fewer children with autism spectrum disorder with motor challenges receive physical and recreational therapies compared to standard therapies: A SPARK data set analysis.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMost children with autism in this large US sample were at risk for motor impairment, but few received physical or recreational therapy compared to speech and occupational therapy. Even children with the most severe motor difficulties had far lower access to gross motor services than fine motor or sedentary therapies.
• PTOTOther2024Human-centered design of a novel soft exosuit for post-stroke gait rehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThe new stroke-specific NewGait device scored 84.3 on usability versus 62.7 for the original, indicating best imaginable usability. Silicone bands survived 500,000 cycles while latex failed at 26,727. Clinical effectiveness remains untested.
• PTOTCohort2024The Impact of Exercising on Pelvic Symptom Severity, Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength, and Diastasis Recti Abdominis After Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study.Physical therapyWomen who exercised low-impact at least twice weekly in the first 3 months postpartum reported less pelvic girdle pain than those who did not. However, non-exercisers saw their stress urinary incontinence worsen over the year. Pelvic floor strength and abdominal separation improved in all groups, regardless of exercise level.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Community integration and its predictors in people with stroke: a multicenter longitudinal study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStroke survivors' community integration improved over a year, driven by gains in daily living and balance. Baseline independence and balance were the strongest predictors of long-term integration. Therapists should prioritise self-care and balance training, not just motor recovery.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Prevalence and Correlates of VA-Purchased Community Care Use Among Post-9/11-Era Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationVeterans with traumatic brain injury who had severe injuries, mental health conditions, or suicide risk were more likely to use community care purchased by the VA than those with milder injuries. This group represents a large portion of community patients who may lack specialized TBI training.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023Deviation scores: An innovative approach to interpreting cognitive test results for individuals with intellectual disabilities.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDDeviation scores reveal hidden cognitive strengths in students with intellectual disabilities whose standard IQ tests show flat, low profiles. This allows teams to tailor instruction to visual or verbal preferences, moving beyond deficit-based planning to leverage individual abilities for better educational outcomes.
• OTSLPCase Report2023Fragile X Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Occurrence of Dual Diagnosis in a Set of Triplets.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPDespite equal prenatal alcohol exposure, two identical fragile X triplets had more severe neurobehavioral problems than their fraternal triplet, who met partial fetal alcohol syndrome criteria. Fragile X features may mask alcohol-related facial signs. It does not test a treatment.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Successful Discharge to Community From Home Health Less Likely for People in Late Stages of Dementia.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)Successful discharge to community rates varied by dementia stage. Patients in the most advanced stage had the lowest success rate at 52.0%. Those in middle stages had the highest rates, between 78.8% and 79.3%. Declining independence and higher caregiver needs were linked to lower success.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Depressive symptoms and activity engagement in autistic adolescents and those with other developmental disabilities.Disability and health journalAutistic teens and those with other disabilities had more depressive symptoms and less activity engagement than peers. Sports linked to fewer symptoms, but the group showing the benefit depended on how depression was defined. No cause can be proven from this data.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Rehabilitation delivery models to foster healthy ageing-a scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesRehabilitation for older adults is mostly delivered through outpatient, telerehabilitation, home, community, inpatient, and eldercare models. Physical therapists lead most interventions, often focusing on single diseases rather than multimorbidity. Assistive technology and environmental adaptations are rarely provided.
• PTOTCohort2024Early Prediction of Poststroke Rehabilitation Outcomes Using Wearable Sensors.Physical therapyWearable sensors during a brief walk improved prediction of discharge ambulation and fall risk in ambulatory stroke patients, but did not help predict independence. For nonambulatory patients, standard clinical records alone remained as accurate as sensor data.
• PTOTRCT2024Vertical locomotion improves horizontal locomotion: effects of climbing on gait and other mobility aspects in Parkinson's disease. A secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTwelve weeks of supervised indoor climbing improved normal and fast walking speed, stand-and-walk speed, and sit-to-stand speed in mild-to-moderate Parkinson's compared to unsupervised home exercise. Dual-task walking did not improve in either group.
• OTQualitative2024'Most people have no idea what autism is': Unpacking autism disclosure using social media analysis.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceUsers posting about autism disclosure described it as often bringing misunderstanding, stigma, job loss, poor healthcare, and relationship harm. They wanted respect, privacy, and inclusive systems so disclosure is not needed to get basic accommodation.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Using adaptive behavior scores to convey level of functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from the Study to Explore Early Development.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceCognitive scores alone misclassify support needs in autistic preschoolers. Twenty-five percent labeled low-functioning had no adaptive delays, while eight percent labeled high-functioning had significant socialization delays. Assess adaptive behavior directly to identify actual service needs.
• OTCohort2024Post-traumatic stress disorder and experiences involving violence or sexual abuse in a clinical sample of autistic adults with intellectual disabilities: Prevalence and clinical correlates.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn 88 autistic adults with intellectual disabilities in mental health services, 39 had experienced violence or sexual abuse, but only 3 had PTSD diagnoses. Violence and sexual abuse were associated with irritability and hyperactivity or noncompliance.
• PTOTOther2024Assessment of a novel Ehlers-Danlos syndromes disability index.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA new Ehlers-Danlos disability index grouped 222 patients' responses into symptom and daily-function areas. Over follow-up, sleep, fatigue, concentration, and sitting improved, but daily-function scores did not show a clear change. It is early-stage, not ready to guide treatment alone.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2024Physically Active Adults with Low Back Pain do not Demonstrate Altered Deadlift Mechanics: A Novel Application of Myotonometry to Estimate Inter-Muscular Load Sharing.International journal of sports physical therapyPhysically active adults with low back pain showed no significant differences in muscle stiffness during standing or deadlift positions compared to healthy controls. The study found no evidence that pain alters inter-muscular load sharing or mechanics during this movement.
• PTOTCohort2024Group Versus Individual Rehabilitation in Lung Transplantation: A Retrospective Noninferiority Assessment.Cardiopulmonary physical therapy journalIndividual rehabilitation was noninferior to group rehabilitation for improving 6-minute walk distance. Both formats produced similar gains in physical function, quality of life, and symptoms. Individual sessions require less time and may be a viable alternative for lung transplant patients.
• PTOTOther2024Detecting the symptoms of Parkinson's disease with non-standard video.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA machine learning model using smartphone videos of a finger-to-nose task correctly detected Parkinson's symptoms in 91% of cases. However, it failed to detect symptoms from hand rotation videos, and the system still requires manual identification of the patient in the frame.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Psychometric properties of the Danish version of the Caregiver Burden Scale: Investigating predictors and severity of burden after stroke, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe Danish Caregiver Burden Scale reliably measures overall strain, disappointment, and emotional involvement in stroke, spinal cord, and brain injury caregivers. However, its Environment and Isolation subscales are unreliable for most groups. Longer caregiving and being a spouse predicted higher burden.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Digital citizenship of children and youth with autism: Developing guidelines and strategies for caregivers and clinicians to support healthy use of screens.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceExperts and caregivers agreed on 64 strategies for managing screen time in autistic children, shifting focus from strict time limits to content quality and family values. They resolved conflicts by adding flexibility, such as using separate devices for learning only if financially feasible.