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 151 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRCT2024The influence of scaffolding on intrinsic motivation and autonomous adherence to a game-based, sparsely supervised home rehabilitation program for people with upper extremity hemiparesis due to stroke. A randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationScaffolding game difficulty did not improve adherence or motivation compared to hidden algorithmic adjustment. However, both sparsely supervised home programs produced clinically meaningful gains in arm function and daily activities. The game design mechanism was not the driver of recovery.
• PTOTQualitative2024Adopting new habits and routines in response to COVID-19 lockdown disruptions: A qualitative study.The British journal of occupational therapyParticipants described losing meaningful activities and feeling disconnected during lockdowns. They adapted by creating new routines, roles and habits, such as virtual volunteering, home workouts and family time. These changes helped restore structure and connection, though they did not fully replace lost in-person interactions.
• PTOTOther2024Robotic assessment of bilateral and unilateral upper limb functions in adults with cerebral palsy.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdults with mild to moderate cerebral palsy were most often impaired on a robotic bilateral asymmetric hitting task, even when their everyday object handling was rated as mild. Symmetric and unilateral reaching tasks identified fewer impairments.
• OTSurvey2024Sleep quality and the need for recovery among nurses working irregular shifts: A cross-sectional study.Work (Reading, Mass.)Nurses working irregular shifts, especially those with night shifts, reported poorer sleep quality and greater difficulty functioning during the day. Poor sleep was strongly linked to a higher need for recovery after work, suggesting sleep quality is a key factor in post-work fatigue.
• OTSurvey2024Work-life balance and the psychosocial work environment in Finnish working life: The case of gender and family life stages.Work (Reading, Mass.)For women, family life stages with young children were linked to lower work-life balance, while for men they were not. For both sexes, higher social support at work was linked to better balance, and higher work demands to worse balance.
• OTSLPQualitative2024Work-support techniques used by occupational therapists to facilitate support after acquired brain injuries: A qualitative study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTExperienced Japanese OTs described six core areas of work support for clients with acquired brain injury: vocational life rhythms, interpersonal skills, work tasks, compensation measures, illness awareness, and goal setting. These themes guide practice but are not tested interventions.
• OTSurvey2024"Your Child Should Not Return": Preschool Expulsion Among Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder as an Early Indicator of Later Risks.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPChildren with ADHD who had been expelled from preschool had more severe symptoms, other mental or behavioral disorders, and later school and family difficulties than children with ADHD who had not been expelled.
• PTOTOther2024Healthy older adults generate transverse-plane momenta required for 90° turns while walking during the same phases of gait as used in straight-line gait.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHealthy older adults use the same body mechanics to turn as they do to walk straight. They push their body sideways during right-leg stance and twist their body during double-leg stance. These specific moments offer targets for balance training.
• PTOTPilot2024Assessment of park paths and trails to promote physical accessibility among wheelchair users in Saudi Arabia.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTGate clearance was consistent across Riyadh park paths, but accessible restrooms, access points, and paved bench areas were inconsistent. Wheelchair users may face barriers to using park paths.
• PTOTOther2024Assessing proprioception in children with upper motor neuron lesions: feasibility, validity, and reliability of the proprioception measurement tool.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA new sensor-based tool can reliably measure lower limb proprioception in children with upper motor neuron lesions. It distinguishes these children from typically developing peers, though the joint movement sense component is less precise than position sense.
• PTOTQualitative2024Application of the participatory design in the testing of a baropodometric insole prototype for weight-bearing asymmetry after a stroke: A qualitative study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTOne woman after stroke described a vibrating insole prototype as comfortable and felt she was walking more normally. Shoe size and app faults were barriers.
• PTOTSLPOther2024A Participatory Model for Cocreating Accessible Rehabilitation Technology for Stroke Survivors: User-Centered Design Approach.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesStroke survivors who completed an 8-week technology-based rehabilitation program provided detailed feedback that shaped the design of new devices, including a low-cost hand tool and a dosage monitoring app. This describes a development process, not evidence that these tools improve function.
• PTOTSurvey2024Health equity profile of knee replacement patients in the South African public sector: A descriptive study.The South African journal of physiotherapyOne in three knee replacement patients at a South African public hospital waited over five years. Older patients and those with lower socioeconomic status waited significantly longer. More than half reported severe mobility issues and pain, with many experiencing anxiety and depression.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Temporal changes in postural control strategy through single-leg stance practice with active restriction of knee movement.Journal of physical therapy scienceTwo weeks of single-leg stance practice reduced balance sway in healthy young women, regardless of whether they actively restricted knee movement. However, only the knee-restricted group showed a specific reduction in knee sway over time, while the other group saw changes in pelvic sway.
• PTOTCohort2024Non-adherence to follow-up care in persons with spinal cord injury within 10 years after initial rehabilitation.Journal of rehabilitation medicineTen years after rehab, only 36% of people with spinal cord injury attended annual follow-ups. Older age, lack of a partner, and travel times over 2 hours predicted non-adherence. Deaths accounted for 29% of dropouts, while 44% of those who died stopped attending within the first year.
• PTOTPilot2024Smartwatch-based functional assessment for upper extremity impairment after musculoskeletal injuries: A pilot study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTSmartwatch movement data correlated with clinical scores in ten patients with shoulder injuries. Smoothness metrics tracked elbow and forearm function. This suggests wearable sensors could monitor rehab progress, but the tiny sample and single device mean it is not yet a reliable clinical tool.
• OTCase Report2024Suspected exertional heat stroke: A case study of worker cooling in a hot and humid field environment.Work (Reading, Mass.)Colleagues used ice towels from a workplace heat stroke kit while emergency help was called for a worker with suspected heat stroke. The report describes a single person, not proof that ice towels prevent heat stroke.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Comparison of ultrasound- vs. landmark-guided injections for musculoskeletal pain: an umbrella review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineUltrasound guidance is consistently more accurate than landmark techniques for joint injections. However, this precision rarely translates to better pain relief or function for the shoulder, with most studies showing no significant clinical difference between the two methods.
• OTSLPOther2024Pepea Pamoja:† Applying the Ecological Validity Framework to co-develop a wellbeing and behavioural training program for caregivers of young children with autism in low-resource settings of Kenya and the United States.Child: care, health and developmentA 10-session group training program for caregivers of young children with autism was co-developed for Kenya and adapted back to rural Indiana. It blends autism education, caregiver wellbeing, and daily-routine behavioral strategies. It has not been tested for effectiveness.
• OTSurvey2024Occupational Therapy for Parenting: Perspectives of Parents With Physical Disability.Occupational therapy internationalAmong parents with physical disability who reported occupational therapy experiences, 19 of 37 said no parenting tasks were addressed. They wanted therapists to affirm parenting and help with lifting, carrying, mobility, and toddler demands.
• OTQualitative2024Adaptation of a Sensory Reactivity Assessment for Use With Children in the Western Cape Province, South Africa.Occupational therapy internationalCaregivers and therapists found American sensory questionnaires hard to read and some balance tasks frightening. Adapted wording and tasks were accepted by caregivers, but the assessment still needs testing before diagnostic use.
• OTNarrative Review2024Unlocking the potential: Exploring the opportunities for occupational therapists in cyberpsychology.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTNo tested finding is reported. This narrative review proposes occupational therapy roles in cyberpsychology but gives no methods, participants, or results.
• OTQualitative2024The Healing Elements of an Eclectic Life Skills Programme: Clients' Perspectives.Occupational therapy internationalSix mental health clients described the occupational therapy life skills group as helpful through its structured day, supportive facilitator, and peers at different recovery stages. They experienced healing as personal, using crafts, relaxation, discussions, homework and journals to gain insight and self-help tools.
• OTCase Series2024Using eye tracking to assess learning of a multifunction prosthetic hand: an exploratory study from a rehabilitation perspective.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTwo of three upper-limb amputees completed one-year follow-up and showed faster standardized tasks and less hand-focused gaze. In self-chosen daily tasks, they looked first at objects, not the hand.
• OTCohort2024Who do you ask? Predicting injury rates from survey responses.Work (Reading, Mass.)Workers’ survey responses about safety practices predicted future injuries, but managers’ responses did not. Adding manager data to worker data improved prediction no further. When surveying only one group to identify safety risks, choose workers.
• OTSLPCohort2024Alterations in Neural Activation During Facial Emotion Processing in Adolescent Male Participants With Klinefelter Syndrome.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPAdolescent males with Klinefelter syndrome showed increased brain activation when viewing angry faces compared to controls. This heightened neural activity correlated with parent-reported social anxiety and withdrawal. The findings suggest a biological basis for social difficulties in this population.
• PTOTOther2024Soft pneumatic actuators for pushing fingers into extension.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA new soft glove uses palm-side air chambers to help fingers straighten. In one person, it allowed a finger to bend and straighten back in 1.1 seconds. This speed supports rapid, repetitive practice of finger movements for hand rehabilitation.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Neurological examination of healthy term infants at ages 6 and 10 weeks in Tshwane District.The South African journal of physiotherapyHealthy infants in South Africa showed rapid neurological maturation between 6 and 10 weeks, including better head control and visual tracking. Most scored within normal ranges on the Hammersmith exam, providing local benchmark data to help identify early developmental risks.
• OTQualitative2024An Exploration of the Experiences and Perceptions of TBI Survivors About Accessing Vocational Rehabilitation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Occupational therapy internationalTBI survivors described suspended rehabilitation during the pandemic as blocking their return to work. They feared infection at hospitals and faced costly transport barriers. Therapists maintained care through telehealth, video instructions, and triaging employed patients to protect jobs.
• OTQualitative2024Mexican American Intergenerational Research: Transformative Model of Occupational Therapy.Occupational therapy internationalStories from Mexican and Mexican American women described suffering, work, yearning for education, and compassion. The authors use these themes to propose an occupational therapy model centered on play, social participation, sustainable work, education, and language.
• OTQualitative2024Participation Questionnaire for Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Item Development.Occupational therapy internationalExperts and caregivers helped refine a questionnaire for preschoolers with autism. They removed domains that measured skills rather than participation and added questions about social opportunities. The resulting draft requires further testing before it can be used clinically.
• OTQualitative2024Participant and caregiver experiences of an activities of daily living-focused cognitive stimulation program for individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia (CS-ADL).The British journal of occupational therapyPeople with mild-to-moderate dementia and their caregivers found the CS-ADL group enjoyable and socially connecting. They reported improved mood and purpose in daily life, but no observable memory improvement. The program's effect on actual daily living skills was not clearly captured.
• PTOTSLPOther2024ICF-based hearing and functioning assessment: validation and research outcomes of utilizing the HEAR-COMMAND tool for patients with mild to moderately severe hearing loss and individuals with normal hearing.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThe HEAR-COMMAND tool reliably captures hearing and daily functioning challenges across English, German, and Arabic speakers. It identifies communication difficulties in noisy environments that standard audiometry often misses, offering therapists a comprehensive view of patient-reported disability beyond pure tone thresholds.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Innovative approaches for managing patients with chronic vestibular disorders: follow-up indicators and predictive markers for studying the vestibular error signal.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn 62 patients with chronic vestibular disorders who failed conventional therapy, integrative vestibular rehabilitation improved near visual acuity, fusion, and stereoscopic vision. It also reduced dizziness handicap and improved quality of life. Because multiple treatments were combined, we cannot isolate which specific technique caused these changes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Did the speech of patients with Myasthenia Gravis decline over 4 years?CoDASSpeech worsened over four years in stable Myasthenia Gravis patients, with more diagnosed with dysarthria. However, patients felt their speech improved. Self-perception is unreliable for monitoring decline, so objective speech assessments are necessary.
• OTSLPOther202415 Years of Inclusive Employment in a Down Syndrome Clinic.Work (Reading, Mass.)A hospital clinic hired six adults with Down syndrome over 15 years, creating two permanent roles. Success relied on strengths-based coaching, visual learning supports, and training colleagues to understand DS communication profiles.
• OTQualitative2024An exploration into the occupational identity of women following breast cancer and treatment: A qualitative study.The British journal of occupational therapyWomen long after breast cancer treatment described fatigue, weakness and pain limiting work, dressing, cooking and social activities. They described keeping a sense of who they were by pacing, resting, accepting help, and choosing familiar or adapted occupations.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Identifying Children and Adolescents at Elevated Mental Health Risk Before and During COVID-19.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPAdolescent girls showed the largest increase in mental health risk during the pandemic. Global risk rose significantly in this group, driven by internalizing and attention symptoms. Screening at once-yearly visits may underestimate risk if conducted in summer.
• OTOther2024Giving voice to employees in low-skilled jobs works: Effect and process evaluation of a participatory sustainable employability intervention.Work (Reading, Mass.)A workplace dialogue programme improved employees' sense of control over their work but did not improve overall sustainable employability. The effect depended on implementation quality: departments with more visible, supported sessions saw gains, while those with poor communication saw none.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024Parents' and carers' attitudes to the use of digital technology and its role in the care of children with complex needs.The British journal of occupational therapyParents of children with complex needs use smartphones and tablets daily to find information, communicate with services, and support therapy. They want digital tools to supplement face-to-face care, not replace it, citing concerns about losing personal contact and data security.
• PTOTCase Report2024Spontaneous rupture of the plantar fascia: a case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA 35-year-old man with a spontaneous plantar fascia rupture recovered fully without surgery after 12 weeks of conservative care. Pain and function scores improved significantly, but this single case cannot prove the treatment works for others.
• PTOTCohort2024Defining the glenohumeral range of motion required for overhead shoulder mobility: an observational study.Archives of physiotherapyTo lift the arm overhead, patients needed about 83 degrees of glenohumeral flexion and abduction. External rotation mattered less, requiring only 53% of the healthy side's range. Pushing for overhead motion with less than this may cause pain without restoring function.
• OTOther2024Short report: Do parents use asynchronous materials in a hybrid coaching via telehealth intervention?Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents with lower baseline competence used more online materials than those with higher competence. Both groups found the telehealth coaching acceptable, but lower competence parents showed greater improvement in competence scores. This suggests self-guided modules may benefit parents who feel less confident.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Dehumanizing air travel: a scoping review on accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities in international airports.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAirport services often prioritize physical access over inclusion, forcing passengers to plan extensively and accept segregated assistance. Therapists should advise clients that vague 'accessible' claims may hide long waits and dehumanizing transfers, encouraging direct contact with airlines to confirm specific support needs.
• OTSystematic Review2024Positive risk-taking within social care for adults with physical disabilities: A review of guidelines in practice in England.The British journal of occupational therapyGuidance on positive risk-taking for adults with physical disabilities varies widely across England. Only 21 relevant documents were found, with inconsistent definitions and risk grading. Service user views were absent.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Brief Report: Under-Identification of Symptomatic Menopause in Publicly-Insured Autistic People.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic women with intellectual disabilities were 28% less likely to have medical claims for menopausal symptoms than those without. This suggests that communication barriers or provider oversight, rather than biology, may be hiding significant health needs in this group.
• PTOTSurvey2024An Online Evidence-Based Education Resource Is Useful and Can Change People's Perceptions About Running and Knee Health.JOSPT openAfter reading a free online infographic resource, 76.8% of participants changed their views on running and knee health. They became more accepting of running with knee osteoarthritis and more cautious about long distances. The resource was rated highly useful, but this study did not test if it changes actual running behavior.
• OTQualitative2024Assessing physical literacy with school-aged children in occupational therapy practice: An exploratory qualitative study.The British journal of occupational therapyPaediatric occupational therapists were unfamiliar with physical literacy, yet already assessed related concepts under different terms. They said they valued the PL-C Quest for hearing children's own perspectives, but said clinical reasoning is needed and it may not suit every child.
• OTQualitative2024The role of Occupational Therapy in community development to combat social isolation and loneliness.The British journal of occupational therapyTwelve older men and six staff said local places shape whether men connect. They wanted nearby, welcoming venues and mixed-age activities. Closed estate centres and bleak rooms made social participation harder.
• PTOTOther2024Effects of semi-immersive virtual reality and manipulation of optic flow speed on gait biomechanics in people post-stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdding semi-immersive virtual reality to self-paced treadmill walking did not change gait mechanics in people post-stroke, but it was safe and increased enjoyment. Manipulating optic flow speed caused only small, likely clinically irrelevant changes in walking speed.