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 165 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPRCT2025Would integrating monochromatic infrared energy into the physical rehabilitation of adolescents with patellofemoral pain syndrome have any advantageous effects? A randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdding infrared therapy to exercise reduced pain more than exercise alone in adolescents with knee pain. Pain scores dropped to a median of 2 out of 10 in the infrared group versus 4 in the control group after three months.
• PTOTOther2025Investigation of independence in the tasks involving the use of public transportation in patients with subacute stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAmong subacute stroke patients practising public transport, only 15.4% to 41.9% completed all tasks in their course independently; walking in crowds was hardest, with 61.9% independent.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Using Virtual Care to Assess the Health Needs of People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDAcross 23 studies, virtual assessments for people with intellectual disabilities were generally accepted and reported to improve access, but communication and technology supports were important. Physical exams and severe intellectual disability made remote assessment harder.
• PTOTCohort2025Catastrophizing and fear avoidance beliefs in chronic low back pain: a cross-sectional study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineIn chronic low back pain, catastrophizing and fear-avoidance beliefs explained 35% of disability variance, while pain intensity alone showed only a moderate correlation with disability. Clinicians should screen for these psychological factors rather than assuming pain level dictates functional limitation.
• OTSLPCohort2025Remote monitoring of social attention in neurogenetic syndromes and idiopathic neurodevelopmental disability.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAt-home webcam eye-tracking reliably measured social attention in people with rare genetic syndromes, including those with intellectual disability. Global social attention scores correlated with autism symptoms and helped distinguish autism cases from non-cases, offering a scalable tool for remote assessment and trial monitoring.
• PTOTCase-Control2024Association between freezing of gait and anticipatory postural adjustments in Parkinson's disease.Journal of physical therapy sciencePeople with Parkinson's disease and freezing of gait showed delayed and smaller anticipatory postural adjustments when standing on one leg. These movement differences were distinct enough to separate those with freezing from those without, suggesting the pattern may serve as a biomarker for postural control problems.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Developing a Framework for Industrial Noise Risk Management Based on Noise Kurtosis and Its Adjustment.Ear and hearingAdjusting noise measurements for kurtosis raised estimated exposure levels by about 5 dB(A) overall and 10 dB(A) for high-impact tasks like nail gunning. This shifted which jobs were deemed highest risk, suggesting standard noise assessments may underestimate hearing loss danger for workers exposed to complex, impulsive noise.
• PTOTCohort2024Characterizing early postoperative changes in body composition in patients with secondary lymphedema after breast cancer surgery: potential screening indicators for preventive intervention.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn women who developed lymphedema, body composition changes appeared three months after surgery, before the limb volume increased by the 10% threshold used for diagnosis. Electrical impedance measures flagged these patients early, offering a window for intervention before swelling becomes obvious.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2024Usefulness of automated tractography for outcome prediction in patients with recurrent stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn three patients with recurrent stroke, automated brain scans identified specific nerve tract damage that matched their long-term recovery levels. Patients with widespread tract damage had poor outcomes, while those with limited damage regained independence, suggesting scans may help predict rehabilitation potential.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Natural history of SGCE-associated myoclonus dystonia in children and adolescents.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn children with SGCE-associated myoclonus dystonia, motor symptoms worsen over time. Action myoclonus and writing dystonia progressed significantly, causing reported declines in speech, writing, and walking. High rates of anxiety, OCD, and ADHD were also found.
• OTQualitative2025Occupational Health Nurses' Perceptions in Work Ability Risk Management and Analysis.Journal of occupational rehabilitationTen occupational health nurses described managing work ability risks as core to their job but often hindered by time pressures and billing confusion. They relied on electronic tools and team cooperation to identify risks early. This reflects their experiences, not patient outcomes.
• OTCohort2025Mental health care use of autistic adults: Identifying longitudinal patterns using sequence analysis.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceOver 5 to 7 years, 445 autistic adults without intellectual disability most often used counseling or medication, often together. Therapy was less common. Patterns clustered by sex, employment and co-occurring mental health conditions; outcomes were not measured.
• PTOTCohort2025Trends in spasticity-reducing surgery and botulinum toxin treatment for post-stroke spasticity: a register study on 6,258 patients in Sweden, 2010-2021.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients who had surgery received fewer botulinum toxin injections afterward, but the registry could not show surgery caused this. Surgery use stayed flat while injection use rose.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Quality of life in dysphagia and functional performance of cancer patients in palliative care.CoDASFor palliative cancer outpatients, worse physical performance tracked with a greater perceived impact of swallowing difficulties on quality of life. This link was not seen in inpatients. The study measured self-reported complaints rather than swallowing function, so it cannot confirm the cause.
• PTOTNarrative Review2024Sleep-related breathing disorders in children with spina bifida.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineChildren with spina bifida and myelomeningocele often have sleep-related breathing disorders without snoring or poor sleep history. The review recommends low-threshold in-lab polysomnography and multidisciplinary care, with physical and occupational therapy as possible team members, not a proven single treatment.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Adherence of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Parkinson Disease to Trustworthy Standards: A Systematic Survey.DysphagiaMost Parkinson's dysphagia guidelines fail trustworthy standards. They rarely specify screening or monitoring, rely on expert opinion, and offer vague advice. Clinicians should treat existing guidance as low-quality and prioritize individualized assessment over protocol adherence.
• PTOTRCT2025Perceived barriers to and facilitators of behavioural change towards a more active lifestyle in people with neuromuscular diseases: a qualitative study.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePeople with neuromuscular diseases described barriers such as pain, fatigue, fear of falling, limited space, cold weather, and cost. They also described facilitators: activity trackers, adapted facilities, family support, enjoyable activities, and planning. These are themes, not evidence that the programme works.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Psychometric evaluation of the Autism Symptom Dimensions Questionnaire.Developmental medicine and child neurologyThe Autism Symptom Dimensions Questionnaire reliably tracks social and repetitive behaviors across ages and backgrounds. It screens well in general populations but poorly distinguishes autism from other disabilities in clinical settings. Use it to map symptom profiles, not to diagnose.
• PTOTCohort2025Modeling Upper Limb Rehabilitation-Induced Recovery After Stroke: The Role of Attention as a Clinical Confounder.Physical therapyIn stroke patients receiving about 1.5 hours of daily therapy, the amount of rehabilitation did not predict upper limb recovery. Baseline motor function was the only significant predictor. Attention levels confounded the results, suggesting cognitive status may mask rehabilitation effects.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Material hardship and sources of support for autistic adolescents and their families.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceFamilies of autistic teens face high material hardship, but income alone misses the problem. Many middle-income families struggle with costs and lack safety net access. Therapists should screen for financial strain and asset loss, not just poverty, as these families often have insurance but still face food insecurity and bankruptcy risks.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Lower Extremity Osseointegration Postoperative Rehabilitation Protocols: A Scoping Review.Physical therapyAll published protocols follow the same progression from surgery to independent ambulation, but vary widely in timing and loading. No protocol was validated by clinical outcomes, and none adjusted rehabilitation based on patient characteristics like age or amputation level.
• PTOTOther2025Investigating the cortical effect of false positive feedback on motor learning in motor imagery based rehabilitative BCI training.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn four stroke patients, false feedback during hand brain-computer training did not clearly change peak brain activation. In healthy volunteers, training without false feedback produced stronger activation, like active movement.
• PTOTCase Series2025Satisfactory long-term functional and radiological outcomes following hip reconstructive surgery in children with cerebral palsy.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineAt mean 8.4 years after hip surgery, parents reported better health, leg function, activity and pain, and hip radiographs improved. Without a control group or pre-surgery pain scores, the surgery's effect is not proven.
• PTOTOther2025How do clinicians use, experience, and value applications of outcome information in daily care? A mixed-methods study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineClinicians found dashboards most useful for patient goals and pain/function screening, which helped focus conversations. Mental health screens and prediction models were used less, seen as valuable only when expectations clashed or extreme values appeared. Eye contact loss was a concern.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2024Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Health: A Review of the Literature and Clinical Application.International journal of sports physical therapyThis review proposes screening for multiple musculoskeletal risk factors, such as previous injury, poor balance, and high BMI, during rehabilitation. It suggests that addressing these factors together, rather than focusing only on local pain, may better prepare patients for physical activity and reduce future injury risk.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2024Analysis of brain activity for speech stimuli and child development of an infant with neurosyphilis: case report.CoDASA four-month-old with treated neurosyphilis had normal peripheral hearing but delayed expressive language and fine motor skills. Brain imaging showed speech detection without left-hemisphere lateralization. This single case cannot prove a treatment effect, but highlights the need for multidisciplinary monitoring beyond hearing tests.
• OTCohort2025Factors Associated With Depression in Caregivers of Adults With Down Syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRCaregiver depression linked to their own distress and low quality of life, plus weaker grip strength in the adults with Down syndrome they cared for. Other physical measures showed no link. The sample was tiny and all caregivers were female.
• PTOTSurvey2025Perceptions of Telemedicine Among Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Patients and Healthcare Providers.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationMost PM&R patients and providers want to keep using telemedicine, but they disagree on its quality. Providers overwhelmingly felt physical exams were inferior over video, while patients were more comfortable with remote care if they lacked cars or had lower incomes.
• PTOTCase-Control2025Neural modifications of transtibial prosthesis (TTP) users: an event-related potentials study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTranstibial prosthesis users showed different brain activity during inhibition tasks, with lower accuracy on Go trials despite similar reaction times. Resting brain activity was normal. This suggests cognitive effort is higher when making choices, not just moving.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Efficacy of high- versus moderate-intensity spatially distributed sequential stimulation in subjects with spinal cord injury: an isometric study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFor whole-quadriceps stimulation, moderate intensity preserved force and fatigue resistance better than high intensity. For the vastus lateralis alone, high intensity did not reduce these benefits compared to moderate intensity.
• OTCohort2025The Role of Timing and Amount of Outdoor Play in Emotional Dysregulation in Preschool Children.Child: care, health and developmentPreschoolers who played outdoors between noon and 6 PM showed better emotional regulation and working memory. Those playing before noon or after 6 PM showed more emotional dysregulation. This links timing of play to outcomes, not just total duration.
• OTQualitative2025'I did what I could to earn some money and be of use': A qualitative exploration of autistic people's journeys to career success and fulfilment.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults defined career success by personal fulfilment rather than status or pay. They identified poor support, social isolation, and inaccessible workplaces as key barriers. Positive outcomes relied on gradual transitions, workplace adjustments, and a sense of belonging.
• PTOTCase Series2025A Technology System to Help People With Multiple Disabilities Increase Contact With Objects and Control Environmental Stimulation: Single-Case Research Design.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesA webcam-based system successfully helped 8 adults with severe multiple disabilities increase their contact with objects. The participants controlled their own stimulation by touching items, proving the sensor worked reliably without needing physical attachments to the objects or the person.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Longitudinal Associations Between Movement Behaviours and Development Among Infants Using Compositional Data Analysis.Child: care, health and developmentMore tummy time and sleep linked to better gross motor skills. More time on back linked to delays. Time in strollers or high chairs helped communication but slowed sitting. Optimal daily minutes for motor development: 43 tummy, 51 back, 96 restrained, 845 sleep.
• PTOTOther2025Impact of provider feedback on quality improvement in rehabilitation services: an interrupted time series analysis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesGiving Norwegian rehabilitation teams data on their own quality indicators, with comparisons to other centres, did not improve care. Patient-reported quality stayed the same, and some measures of how much patients achieved their goals fell slightly.
• OTOther2025Challenges in Using Parent-Reported Bed and Wake Times for Actigraphy Scoring in Rett-Related Syndromes.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesIn 38 families of people with Rett-related syndromes, parent sleep diaries were often more complete than actigraphy button presses. Disagreements over 45 minutes were common, and both sources were difficult to trust.
• PTOTQualitative2025Supervised exercise after minor stroke: an evaluation from the perspective of patients and healthcare professionals.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients were most motivated to exercise immediately after stroke, before daily life reorganized. Supervised hospital exercise felt safer and more engaging than municipal sessions, where patients felt less supported. Peer bonding and frequent follow-ups were key to maintaining activity.
• OTSLPQualitative2024Caregivers' expectations of their non-verbal autistic children in rural KwaZulu-Natal.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsCaregivers of non-verbal autistic children in rural KwaZulu-Natal expected communication, education and support, but inadequate explanation of diagnosis, language barriers and unclear therapy purpose shaped those expectations.
• PTOTCohort2024Deficits in recovery of postural stability after stepping are limb- and phase-specific in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.Gait & postureChildren with unilateral CP show significant postural instability when stepping, especially side-to-side movement with their more-affected leg. They recover stability more slowly and with less automaticity than peers. This specific dynamic weakness may increase fall risk during daily activities.
• PTOTOther2024Intra- and inter-rater reliability of goniometric finger range of motion using a written protocol.Archives of physiotherapyUsing a written protocol, a single therapist measuring the same patient twice got consistent finger range of motion results. But different therapists measuring the same patient got much less consistent results. Stick to one examiner for tracking changes.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Comparative profiling of white matter development in the human and mouse brain reveals volumetric deficits and delayed myelination in Angelman syndrome.Molecular autismChildren with Angelman syndrome have significantly smaller brain volumes from age 1, with white matter reduced by 26.5% between ages 6 and 12. Mouse models show this is driven by a delay in myelination onset that normalizes later, suggesting a window for early intervention.
• PTOTRCT2025MEP Status is Not Predictive of Response to Upper Limb Training in People With Chronic, Moderate-Severe Hemiparesis Post-Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairIn chronic moderate-to-severe stroke, a motor evoked potential before upper limb training did not predict arm improvement. People with and without a baseline MEP improved similarly, with similar proportions achieving a 6-point improvement. MEP status alone did not help predict response.
• PTOTRCT2025Subphenotypic classification of COVID-19 survivors and response to telerehabilitation: a latent class analysis.Journal of rehabilitation medicineA 6-week home exercise app improved walking distance in COVID-19 survivors, but the benefit depended on lung function and steroid use. Patients with poorer baseline lung function who had taken steroids saw the largest gains. Others showed no significant difference.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Childhood and Adulthood Predictors of Community Participation by Autistic Adults With and Without Intellectual Disability.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDAutistic adults participated most in shopping and family outings, but half always needed a carer present. Living in supported accommodation was the strongest predictor of lower community participation frequency. Childhood autism symptoms predicted reduced adult participation, but only weakly.
• PTOTNarrative Review2025Customization of manual wheelchair components: a state-of-the-art review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCustomization of manual wheelchair components has shifted from manual carving to digital workflows using 3D scanning and CAD. While custom-contoured cushions are well-researched, evidence for other components is scarce, and clinical adoption is limited by the need for specialized technical skills.
• PTOTPilot2025Home-Based Nonimmersive Virtual Reality Training After Discharge From Inpatient or Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: Parallel Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesHome virtual reality balance and gait training after stroke was feasible and safe, but did not improve balance, gait or function more than iPad apps. Both groups improved some measures over six weeks.
• PTOTRCT2025EEG-fMRI neurofeedback versus motor imagery after stroke, a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke survivors with partial upper limb impairment who trained with EEG-fMRI neurofeedback improved more on arm function scores than those doing motor imagery alone. The gains held at one month, but the study was small and the neurofeedback felt harder.
• PTOTOther2024Effectiveness of manual therapy for patients with low back pain from the perspective of physical and psychosocial factors.Journal of physical therapy scienceAll 18 patients who completed this manual therapy study improved in pain and disability scores over eight weeks. However, without a control group, natural recovery or concurrent medication may explain these gains rather than the treatment itself.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Relationship between scapular internal rotation and upper-trunk movements during right and left hand-behind-back movements.Journal of physical therapy scienceScapular movement during hand-behind-back tasks is linked to trunk motion, but the direction differs by side. Right-hand movement correlated with trunk uprighting, while left-hand movement correlated with trunk forward flexion and rotation. Assess trunk posture separately for each side.
• PTOTOther2024The effect of advanced age and stool modification on reaching distance in sitting.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding leg supports to a stool increased forward reach distance in older adults by 8.7 cm. They reached farther forward than sideways. The study compared healthy young and older adults, so it does not show how to treat patients with balance deficits.