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 16 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTQualitative2025The Significance of Social Connections and Health in Relation to Loneliness Experienced by Older Adults Living at Home: A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesSome older adults said being alone felt pleasant when daily routines let them pursue solitary activities. Others felt lonely when meaningful connections were lost or relationships felt unequal. Staying active was important, but physical and cognitive limits made this harder.
• PTOTCohort2025Short Physical Performance Battery or Chair Stand: Which Better Predicts Disability Among High-Functioning Older Adults?Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn older adults who were independent and walked faster than 0.8 m/s, a chair stand time of 11.5 seconds or more or a Short Physical Performance Battery score of 11 or lower flagged higher future daily-living disability risk than common cutoffs.
• OTOther2025Development of an Assessment Tool for Vertical Accessibility in Spanish Homes.Nursing openA Spanish home accessibility scale identifies barriers in building entrances, common areas, lifts and home entry. In 156 people, its four sections produced consistent responses and matched the spaces they intended to measure.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2025Comparing nurse-led and rheumatologist-led care for rheumatoid arthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PNurse-led care and rheumatologist-led care produced similar outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis patients. There was no difference in functional status, disease activity, or pain scores. Nurse-led care is a comparable option for managing stable patients, not a superior or inferior treatment.
• OTSystematic Review2025Taking a Strengths-Based Approach to Mental Health in Rural Communities: What Is the Evidence for Harnessing Strengths?The Australian journal of rural healthRural community strengths such as clubs, faith, nature and social connection were linked to better mental health, but no included study proved they caused it. Do not change care assuming these strengths work.
• PTOTRNOther2025Factors Associated With Falls Among Residents Living in Long-Term Care Homes in Ontario.International journal of older people nursingOntario long-term care residents who wandered, had pain or delirium, recently deteriorated in ADLs or care needs, were incontinent, or took antidepressants, antipsychotics, antianxiety medicines, hypnotics or analgesics were more likely to have fallen in the previous 30 days.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2025Best Practice to Prevent Constipation in People Living With Dementia: A Scoping Review.International journal of older people nursingEvidence for preventing constipation in dementia is limited and low-quality. Seven studies showed mixed results: probiotics and hydration plans helped, but exercise and scheduled toileting alone did not. Most effective strategies were multicomponent, targeting diet and fluid.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2025Walk for Mental Well-Being as a Third Place: A Qualitative Study of the Bathurst Men's Walk and Talk.The Australian journal of rural healthRural men described a weekly walk as a place where status is left at the door. Rituals like free coffee and walking in pairs facilitated conversation, helping isolated men feel safe to share personal struggles without clinical pressure.
• OTRNQualitative2025Existential Reflections Expressed by Patients in Need of Hospital Care: A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesHospitalised patients described feeling vulnerable, stuck waiting, guilty about illness, and unsure about roles and home life. They used life stories to express what mattered and to make sense of a changed future.
• OTRNCohort2025Brief Admission by Self-Referral: A 4-Year Follow-Up on Utilisation Patterns and Experiences.International journal of mental health nursingBrief admission use dropped for most participants over four years, leaving only eight who used it consistently. These high users had worse self-care but rated the service highest. Some were refused emergency care because they held a brief admission contract.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2025Effectiveness of digital healthcare in managing menstrual symptoms: a systematic review.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)All eight trials found digital tools like apps and web programs reduced menstrual symptoms. However, half had moderate risk of bias and blinding was rarely possible, so the results rely on self-reported improvements rather than objective measures.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2025The Effect of a Health-Promoting Program on Quality of Life of Thai Homebound Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyHomebound older adults whose family caregivers completed a 12-week empowerment program reported significantly better quality of life than those receiving usual care. The caregivers learned practical skills like fall prevention and hygiene, directly improving the patients' physical, psychological, and social well-being.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2025Social determination in the health of children born preterm: a scoping review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemPreterm infants' development and health service use were reported to track home context: caregiver education, housing, support, breastfeeding, maternal stress, alcohol, and language. No studies measured environment or food access.
• OTQualitative2025Exploring Occupational Therapists Use of the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform Assessment When Working With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Northern Territory.The Australian journal of rural healthOccupational therapists in the Northern Territory described the PRPP-A as acceptable for assessing cognition with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients because tasks could fit the client’s context, highlight strengths, and support culturally safe collaboration.
• PTOTRNRCT2025Patients' Perception of a Brief Web- and Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Pain Following Discharge After Total Joint Arthroplasty: Qualitative Description.JMIR nursingPatients recovering from joint replacement found a brief, self-guided mindfulness app helpful for managing pain at home. They liked the short sessions and phone access, but struggled to focus when pain was severe or if they doubted mindfulness would work.
• OTQualitative2025Working Together to Deliver Person-Centred Care Within the Stepped Care Model: An Australian Multidisciplinary Perspective.International journal of mental health nursingStepped mental health care was described by nine Australian professionals as flexible and team-based, but they reported unclear access rules, workforce shortages, and funding gaps.
• OTOther2025Implementation of a Sensory Room in a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit: A Mixed-Methods Study.International journal of mental health nursingThe sensory room did not show a reduction in as-needed medication or seclusion use in a psychiatric intensive care unit. Consumers and staff valued it as a calming, safe space, but staffing demands, location and training barriers limited uptake.
• PTOTRNOther2025Symptoms of long COVID in children and adolescents: a scoping review.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PChildren and adolescents with long COVID commonly reported fatigue, headache, cough, sleep and mood problems, and poor concentration. Younger children had more cough and nasal symptoms; adolescents had more emotional, cognitive and pain symptoms.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2025Efficacy and safety of exercise rehabilitation in the vulnerable phase in patients with acute decompensated heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesExercise rehabilitation in the first three months after discharge for acute heart failure improves walking distance, physical performance, and quality of life. It reduces all-cause readmissions by six months. However, it does not significantly improve heart pumping function, reduce heart failure-specific readmissions, or lower mortality rates.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2025Quality of life experience in physically frail people on renal dialysis: A qualitative meta-synthesis on the difficulties and resources for better health care.International journal of nursing sciencesDialysis patients described frailty as limiting daily activity, increasing fall risk, and stripping work, family, and social roles. They also said teams underestimated falls, while family, peers, and exercise programs were reported as supports.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2025Transitional Care for Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis to the Home: A Scoping Review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemPeople with ALS going home need individualized transition plans: multidisciplinary care, discharge planning, telehealth, medication administration support, and caregiver training. This review mapped 7 studies, mostly expert opinion, so it shows what care looks like, not what works.
• OTQualitative2025'It's Not All About Medication': Improving the Use of Sensory Approaches in an Acute Mental Health Unit-A Qualitative Analysis.International journal of mental health nursingStaff in an acute mental health ward said sensory tools became routine after a multifaceted implementation project. They still named time, staffing and risk as barriers. The study reported staff perceptions, not measured patient outcomes.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2025Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile for children aged less than 8 years cross-cultural adaptation.Revista brasileira de enfermagemThe Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile translated into Brazilian Portuguese is reliable for assessing quality of life in children under 8 with burn scars. It helps caregivers report itch, mobility, social interaction and emotional impacts after burns.
• PTOTQualitative2025Perceived barriers and facilitators to preventing hospital-acquired pressure injury in paediatrics: A qualitative analysis.Journal of advanced nursingStaff delivering paediatric pressure injury prevention said equipment shortages, poor handovers, and tick-box screens hindered care. They valued family knowledge, clinical judgement, and team communication, not just routine risk assessment.
• OTRNQualitative2025Exploring how 'wish-granting' interventions foster wellbeing for children with life-threatening health conditions and their families: A qualitative study.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityFamilies and professionals described wish-granting as creating joy, anticipation, and shared memories that helped children with life-threatening conditions cope with treatment and see new possibilities. It reports experiences, not proof the intervention works.
• PTOTRNOther2026Multidimensional associations of physical performance, balance, wellness and daily activities with frailty in older adults with coexisting frailty and diabetes.Journal of clinical nursingIn older adults with diabetes and frailty, faster walking and sit-to-stand movement, better one-leg balance, more moderate-to-vigorous activity, less dependence, better nutrition and health perception were associated with being pre-frail rather than frail. Higher depression scores were associated with being frail.
• OTQualitative2025'I don't want him to always be so far behind': Parental perceptions of child independence in the context of extreme prematurity; a qualitative study.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityParents of extremely preterm adolescents split into three groups: those trusting their child will succeed, those expecting indefinite care, and those working hard to force independence. Intensive parenting persisted when parents feared their child would fall behind peers.
• PTOTQualitative2025Entangled in complexity: An ethnographic study of organizational adaptability and safe care transitions for patients with complex care needs.Journal of advanced nursingRushed or imprecise hospital discharge left patients with complex needs at home without records, plans, equipment, or family information. Readmission, unsafe carrying, and extra staff workload followed.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026Perceptions and Experiences of Animal-Assisted Interventions for People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.Journal of clinical nursingPeople with dementia often engage with animal-assisted interventions after initial hesitation, driven by prior positive experiences with animals. Success depends on flexible, individualized sessions and staff training to manage sensory overload, fall risks, and behavioral challenges in care homes.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Practices for promoting a child's best interests in paediatric rehabilitation - Perspectives of professionals and parents.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityParents and rehabilitation professionals described promoting a child's best interests as jointly planning around the child's daily life, letting the child influence goals and activities, and avoiding separate, overlapping goals.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2025Palliative Home Care Based on Clinically Relevant Scientific Measures: A Cross-Sectional Study.The American journal of hospice & palliative carePatients with heart failure and dementia and their caregivers rated symptoms similarly, but caregivers reported more concern about pain and information needs. Higher patient symptom scores predicted worse heart health and greater caregiver burden. The practical problems item did not agree between pairs.
• PTOTRNOther2026Gender Differences in Disease Burden, Symptom Burden, and Quality of Life Among People Living With Heart Failure and Multimorbidity: Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of advanced nursingOlder women with heart failure and multimorbidity reported higher disease burden, more pain, tiredness, nausea and lack of appetite, and worse quality of life than men. The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot explain causes or show what treatment helps.
• OTRNQualitative2026Navigating School Meal Environments: Perspectives of Pupils Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder or ADHD.The Journal of school nursing : the official publication of the National Association of School NursesFive boys with autism or ADHD stayed near familiar teachers or classmates to navigate school lunch. Crowded serving, repeated trips, and noisy seating made eating hard; some chose solitude to cope.
• PTOTRNCohort2025SANTANA Cohort: Study on Frailty in Institutionalised Older Adults and Its Relationship With Gordon's Functional Health Patterns.Journal of advanced nursingIn 1245 nursing home residents, frailty was present in 25% at baseline and 51.7% after 5 years. Nurses' activity-exercise and social-relationship assessments tracked frailty, but the study did not test whether this changes patient care.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2026Perspectives and Requirements of Patients with Prostate Cancer on Mobile Health Interventions During Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.Journal of clinical nursingMost prostate cancer patients on hormone therapy use smartphones daily, but only half want mHealth for their care. They need simple, passive monitoring and trusted medical advice, while rejecting mindfulness and peer groups due to stigma and independence.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Carer Involvement in Rehabilitation for People Living With Dementia: A Systematic Review.Journal of advanced nursingAcross 12 main trials, involving carers more was not linked to better outcomes for people with dementia or their carers. Involvement roles varied widely, and the evidence was too mixed to guide practice.
• OTQualitative2025Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Pressure Injury Guidelines for Nutrition Assessment and Alternating Pressure Air Mattress Allocation: A Qualitative Study.Journal of advanced nursingClinicians described pressure injury prevention being weakened when nutrition screening was incomplete and air mattresses replaced repositioning. Shared decisions, patient input, ward champions and audits were seen as ways to improve.
• OTRNPilot2025A Multi-Method Study to Develop and Pilot Test an Interprofessional Transitional Care Model for Frail Older Adults - AdvantAGE.Journal of advanced nursingAn interprofessional transitional care model, with nurse-led home visits, was piloted in 62 frail older adults; 14 were readmitted. It refined the model but did not test whether it reduces readmissions.
• PTOTQualitative2026Continuity and Coordination of Care During Hospital-To-Home Transitions: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives.Journal of clinical nursingProfessionals said hospital-to-home handovers relied on one-way letters and patients, often leaving primary care with incomplete information. They wanted clear roles, a coordinator, and less overwhelming discharge paperwork for patients.
• PTOTRNQualitative2025Experiences of Sexual Health and Intimate Relationships in Women With Lipedema: A Qualitative Study.Journal of advanced nursingWomen with lipedema described avoiding intimacy because of body shame, pain, heavy limbs, and compression garments, yet longing for closeness; partner criticism worsened this, while responsive touch helped. Healthcare professionals did not address sexual health.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2026Clinical Implications for Management of Falls in Hospital Patients with Communication Disability After Stroke: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.Journal of advanced nursingHospital falls after stroke often go unexplained when severe aphasia prevents patients describing what happened. Staff documented communication problems as cognition, used equipment, and missed adapted education. Multidisciplinary plans, family support and speech-language input suggest safer falls prevention.
• OTQualitative2026Investigating Person-Centred Care Planning in Care Homes Across England: An Exploratory Study of Practices and Contextual Factors.Journal of advanced nursingCare home staff said person-centred planning meant knowing residents' values and involving them in choices, but time, paperwork and digital tools often blocked it.
• OTRNQualitative2026Unmet Needs of Palliative Cancer Patients: A Grounded Theory Study.The American journal of hospice & palliative carePalliative cancer patients described needing recognition of their whole person: dignity, control, practical help, family closure, and hope. They feared suffering, loneliness, and becoming a burden.
• OTRNSurvey2025Examining the Relationship Between Daily Activity Levels and Elder Abuse and Neglect: Bringing Light on Elder Abuse.Journal of advanced nursingDaily-activity dependence was not linked to elder abuse in 448 older adults in Turkey. Psychological abuse was most common, and family conflict or poor self-rated health were associated with higher abuse risk.
• PTOTSLPPilot2026The Use of Biased Language in the Care of Seriously Ill Children: A Pilot Study.The American journal of hospice & palliative careIn 63 charts of seriously ill children, no demographic link was found to biased language. However, stigmatizing words appeared in 46% of records, often copied forward. Clinicians should replace subjective labels with objective descriptions of behavior or barriers.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026A Scoping Review of the Lived Experiences of Individuals With Huntington's Disease, Their Informal Caregivers and Offspring.Journal of advanced nursingFamilies affected by Huntington's disease describe unpredictable behaviour, secrecy about risk, and health services that miss their needs. Clinicians should ask about communication, mobility, swallowing, work, school, and support for caregivers and offspring.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2026Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Informal Caregivers of People Living With Stroke: A Scoping Review of Recent Literature.Journal of advanced nursingInformal caregivers of people with stroke often lacked stroke and care knowledge, felt unprepared, yet were willing to manage mobility, medications, swallowing-related meals, appointments and emotional support. Clinicians should teach and check understanding, especially before discharge.
• PTOTRNCohort2025Adding Functional Ability Measures to a Mortality Algorithm to Support Palliative Care Eligibility Decisions.Research in gerontological nursingIn older adults, receiving physical or occupational therapy was linked to lower odds of death, while needing help with daily activities or skilled nursing was linked to higher odds. These functional markers could help identify patients who need palliative care sooner.
• OTSLPRNSystematic Review2026The Experiences of People From Ethnic Minority Backgrounds Living in Care Homes-A Qualitative Systematic Review.Journal of advanced nursingResidents and families said care homes were hard when language, food, beliefs and family roles did not fit their culture. Communication barriers were central; familiar staff, meals and rituals were described as important.
• OTQualitative2026Telehomecare as a Catalyst for a Multifaceted Transformation Towards Sustainable Practices: A Qualitative Study From a Practical Nurses' Perspective.Journal of advanced nursingNurses described remote home visits as helping clients manage independently, reducing travel and waste, and strengthening relationships, but warned that fixed cameras miss assessment cues and medication safety.