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 168 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSurvey2025Utilization and associated factors of traditional bone setting service among patients with musculoskeletal injuries in Northeast Ethiopia.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOver half of musculoskeletal injury patients in this Ethiopian hospital had used traditional bone setters. Rural residence, low income, and limb injuries were linked to this use. Most users reported no improvement, highlighting a gap in accessible, affordable conventional care.
• OTSLPQualitative2025'We're Not in a Place Where We Can Thrive Yet': A Qualitative Exploration of Systems of Health Promotion in Primary Schools in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic.Child: care, health and developmentPrimary school teachers and principals described reduced capacity for health promotion after COVID. They prioritized academics, picked battles, and said schools cannot replace occupational therapists, speech and language therapists or other health professionals.
• OTRCT2025Increased Life Expectancy of People With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities: What Does It Change for Parents?Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDParents of older people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities, and parents aged 55 or older, did not report more anxiety, lower quality of life, or poorer coping. Environmental quality of life was higher.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Exploring interprofessional collaboration in the intensive care unit.The South African journal of physiotherapyClinicians in South African ICUs reported that doctors often misunderstand their roles, leading to late or inappropriate referrals. Teamwork was disrupted by siloed ward rounds, poor communication, staff shortages, and the pandemic, with participants urging compulsory joint rounds and better interprofessional education.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025First-in-human implementation of a bidirectional somatosensory neuroprosthetic system with wireless communication.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTwo men with arm amputations tested a wireless nerve implant for hand sensation and control. The device worked and felt helpful to the user, but it did not improve his speed or accuracy on daily tasks compared to using the prosthesis without sensation.
• PTOTCohort2025What is the level of work and societal participation in patients with pelvic ring injuries? A two-year prospective cohort study.Clinical rehabilitationTwo years after pelvic ring injury, 35% of patients had not recovered work or school activities and 18% had not recovered social participation. The main struggles were completing daily work and the time spent managing the injury. No injury factors predicted recovery.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Brain Injury Sense of Self Scale: psychometric development of a new measure of strength of self-identity after traumatic brain injury.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineThe new BISOSS scale identifies three distinct areas of self-identity trouble after brain injury: personal, societal, and relational. It helps clinicians pinpoint exactly where a patient feels lost, rather than just noting general low self-esteem. This allows for targeted conversation and care planning.
• PTOTOther2025Effects of Kettlebell Swing Style and Mass on Female Hip Joint Kinetics.International journal of sports physical therapyOverhead kettlebell swings produced 42.1% greater peak hip power than shoulder-height swings. Mass had fewer and smaller effects. Practitioners should consider increasing kettlebell mass before changing swing style.
• OTOther2025Co-Designing a Toolkit of Approaches and Resources for End-of-Life Care Planning With People With Intellectual Disabilities Within Adult Social Care Settings: A Multi-Phase Study.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDPeople with intellectual disabilities rejected easy-read forms for end-of-life planning as overwhelming. They preferred pictorial resources and games that open conversations without pressure to make immediate choices. Support workers found these visual tools effective for engaging people who had never discussed death before.
• OTPilot2025Mainstream Smart Home Technology-Based Intervention to Enhance Functional Independence in Individuals With Complex Physical Disabilities: Single-Group Pre-Post Feasibility Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesIn this single-group pilot, 17 adults with complex physical disabilities improved their self-reported independence on 74.8% of targeted tasks after receiving a structured smart home intervention. Participants reported higher satisfaction, but the lack of a control group means these gains cannot be attributed solely to the technology.
• OTSLPCohort2025Understanding depression in autism: the role of subjective perception and anterior cingulate cortex volume.Molecular autismDepression in adults with autism was linked to how they perceived their own symptoms and social life, not to what clinicians observed. Larger anterior cingulate cortex volume associated with both self-reported depression and subjective social difficulties.
• PTOTSLPOther2025The Relationships, Employment, Autonomy, and Life Satisfaction (REALS) Measures for Autistic Adults and Adults With Other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Psychometric Testing of the Self-Report and Proxy Versions.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchNew brief questionnaires let therapists measure autistic adults' actual life activities and support needs, not just skills. They separate how often a person does something from how much help they need. This gives a clearer picture of independence than standard adaptive behavior tests.
• PTOTOther2025The central nervous system adjusts muscle synergy structure and tightly controls rollator-supported transitions between sitting and standing.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHealthy young adults used more upper body and less leg muscle when gripping rollator handles. The brain did not change its core movement pattern, only the muscle balance. This shifts load from weak legs to arms but requires further testing in older, fall-prone users.
• OTQualitative2025Recommending 24-hour attendant care: A qualitative study exploring the clinical decision-making process of occupational therapists in Ontario, Canada.Clinical rehabilitationExperienced Ontario occupational therapists described deciding on continuous attendant care by blending client interviews, caregiver reports, file review, functional observation, and standardized tests, then relying on clinical judgment and safety risk rather than formal guidelines.
• PTOTRCT2025Transcranial direct current stimulation over the motor and premotor cortex with mirror therapy improves motor control, muscle function, and brain activity in chronic stroke: a double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCompared with sham, brain stimulation over the premotor area before mirror therapy improved paretic hand speed and smoothness and reduced spasticity. Stimulation over the motor cortex reduced trunk displacement. All groups also practiced functional tasks.
• PTOTOther2025Exoskeleton-guided passive movement elicits standardized EEG patterns for generalizable BCIs in stroke rehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationExoskeleton-guided passive hand movement produced more consistent EEG patterns than voluntary movement in 10 stroke patients and 20 healthy people. Deep learning decoded passive movement across participants at 72.63% in stroke and 86.00% in healthy, but motor recovery was not tested.
• PTOTPilot2025Muscle-to-action mapping for intuitive training of muscle synergies in post-stroke upper-limb rehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationEleven chronic stroke survivors trained to steer a force cursor to a target using a biomechanical model. This intuitive mapping reduced unintended force coupling and improved clinical motor scores after 18 sessions. The study confirms feasibility but lacks a control group.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025'Like it's making my heart run': A strengths-based understanding of the play of autistic children.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic children defined play by how it felt, not just what they did. They valued fun, social connection, and deep focus on interests. They also highlighted the need for autonomy, stating that play is only play if they can control what happens.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2025Pathogenic variants in chromatin-related genes: Linking immune dysregulation to neuroregression and acute neuropsychiatric disorders.Developmental medicine and child neurologyEight children with rare chromatin gene variants experienced sudden loss of skills after infections. Clinicians noted that antibiotics and immune treatments helped some children recover previous abilities, though this is not proof that these treatments work for other patients.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Methods to assess lower limb prosthetic adaptation: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAssessments of lower-limb prosthetic fit are inconsistent and often rely on tools not designed for amputees. Questionnaires and functional tests are common but subjective. Objective measures like motion capture are precise but rarely used in clinics due to cost and training barriers.
• PTOTCohort2025The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy, Aerobic Fitness, and Traditional Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injuries in Military Training: A Prospective Cohort Study.International journal of sports physical therapyCadets with low self-efficacy got injured more often than confident peers, but this link disappeared once aerobic fitness was accounted for. Only slower 2-mile run times independently predicted injury risk. Self-efficacy screening alone misses the primary physical driver.
• OTSLPCohort2025Fine Motor Ability and Executive Function in Autistic and Non-autistic Toddlers.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic toddlers showed more difficulty with inhibition and shifting than non-autistic peers, but working memory was similar. Better fine motor skills predicted better shifting in all children, regardless of diagnosis. This suggests fine motor delays may limit the flexible exploration needed for shifting development.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Regional differences in the provision of home-visit rehabilitation services in Japan.Journal of physical therapy scienceHome-visit rehabilitation sessions in Japan rose by 75% between 2013 and 2021, outpacing the 14% growth in the older population. However, regional disparities did not shrink. Prefectures with low service numbers in 2013 remained low in 2021.
• OTSLPQualitative2025Family Members' Experiences of a Person-Centered Information and Communication Technology-Supported Intervention for Stroke Rehabilitation (F@ce 2.0): Qualitative Analysis.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesSeven family members of stroke survivors said the team and SMS reminders in F@ce 2.0 added to usual rehab reduced worry and nagging, but wanted updated goals, one information hub, and video calls. It describes experiences, not proof of benefit.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Are Assistive Technologies Effective in the Management of Contractures in People with Stroke? - A Cochrane Review Summary with Commentary.NeuroRehabilitationThere is insufficient evidence to support using assistive technologies like splints or electrical stimulation to manage contractures after stroke. The review found the evidence was too uncertain to determine if these devices improve range of motion, reduce pain, or cause adverse events.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Optimizing the dynamic treatment regime of outpatient rehabilitation in patients with knee osteoarthritis using reinforcement learning.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA reinforcement learning model suggested alternative treatment combinations for knee osteoarthritis patients. The best algorithm predicted higher cumulative pain relief scores than those actually received, with a 79.1% success rate in simulations. This does not prove better clinical outcomes.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Enhancing anticipation control of the posture system in the elderly wearing stroboscopic glasses.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationOlder adults wearing stroboscopic glasses during balance training showed larger sway and increased open-loop control. This suggests they relied more on internal body awareness and less on visual feedback to maintain posture. It is a single-session lab study, not a clinical trial.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Assessment of cortical activity, functional connectivity, and neuroplasticity in cerebral palsy using functional near-infrared spectroscopy: A scoping review.Developmental medicine and child neurologyFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy is feasible for measuring brain activity in cerebral palsy, showing exaggerated motor cortex activation during tasks. However, small samples and a lack of reliability data mean these findings cannot yet guide clinical treatment decisions or track intervention progress.
• PTOTOther2025Noncontact of the unilateral hallux with the ground reduces forward limits of stability while standing.Journal of physical therapy scienceTaping the big toe off the ground reduced how far people could lean forward without stepping. This effect was stronger when leaning toward the taped side. Quiet standing balance was unaffected, suggesting the toe matters mainly during forward reaching tasks.
• PTOTPilot2025The Czech Fugl-Meyer assessment for post-stroke sensorimotor function: translation and cross-cultural adaptation and validation.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe Czech Fugl-Meyer Assessment showed sufficient agreement between two physiotherapists scoring the same patients. Minor wording changes fixed translation issues, but the small sample means it is not yet proven reliable for all stroke severities.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Global availability of guidelines related to assistive technology: a scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAcross 24 guidelines, most cover mobility, hearing, vision, self-care and continence, but few address cognition or communication. Many recommendations rest on weak evidence.
• OTSurvey2025Food selectivity and eating difficulties in adults with autism and/or ADHD.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAdults with autism, ADHD, or both reported more eating difficulties than adults without these diagnoses. Autism groups had the highest scores. Insistence on sameness, autistic features, food selectivity, and hyperactivity-impulsivity were linked to more eating problems.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025A Tele-Coaching Pilot Study: An Innovative Approach to Enhance Motor Skills in Adolescents With Down Syndrome.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDAdolescents with Down syndrome improved on one specific balance test and lowered their systolic blood pressure after 15 weeks of remote, game-based exercise. However, their overall motor coordination, walking distance, and cognitive scores did not change significantly. This is a small pilot without a control group, so these gains might just be practice or natural variation.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025Sleep Following a Stroke: Multimodal Evaluation of Sleep Health and Disruptions and Impact on Recovery During Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairSleep improved slightly during acute stroke rehab but remained poor, with 77% of nights disrupted by care tasks. Better sleep was not associated with greater functional recovery in this cohort. Prioritize reducing environmental noise and interruptions.
• OTSLPOther2025Waiting Times and Influencing Factors in Children and Adults Undergoing Assessment for Autism, ADHD, and Other Neurodevelopmental Differences.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchChildren waited a median 525 days and adults 252 days for diagnosis. Complex histories lengthened children's waits but shortened adults' waits. Meeting quality standards was not clearly linked to longer waits.
• PTOTRCT2025Tele-rehabilitation using transcranial direct current stimulation combined with exercise in people with spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdding active tDCS to home tele-exercise improved upper limb motor scores by 4.2 points at one month, meeting the threshold for clinical importance. Lower limb function, sensation, strength, spasticity, and independence showed no difference between groups.
• OTOther2025Sexual Health Literacy Among Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRNo included study focused on sexual health literacy. Adults with intellectual disabilities had limited reliable sexual education and little privacy or choice, because assumptions of vulnerability, non-sexuality and incompetence restricted their relationships.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Factors inhibiting social activities among adult daycare users.Journal of physical therapy scienceAmong 119 adult day care users, those not joining social activities often lacked confidence in health, feared public transport, and worried about hearing loss or being alone. Living only with a spouse or alone was more common among active users.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025The impact of community engagement on belief conflicts arising during interdisciplinary collaboration among daycare rehabilitation professionals.Journal of physical therapy scienceDaycare rehab staff reported fewer disagreements with colleagues and families when they understood other professions' roles, knew local resources, and had a network to consult. Building these community connections may help reduce workplace friction.
• OTSLPNarrative Review2024Some Challenging Questions About Outcomes in Children With Cochlear Implants.Perspectives of the ASHA special interest groupsEarly implantation alone does not guarantee good outcomes. Consistent full-time device use, comorbidities, and family context drive results. Clinicians should monitor daily wear time and use a biopsychosocial framework to identify barriers to listening and spoken language development.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Exploring the influence of hospital context on acute care physical therapy fall prevention practice: A qualitative study.Physiotherapy theory and practiceTen acute care physical therapists described mobility promotion as the central fall prevention strategy, yet found it consistently blocked by nursing guidelines, staff shortages, and lack of equipment. They viewed their role as educating nurses and planning safe discharges rather than delivering direct treatment.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Proprioception After Unilateral Stroke: Changes in the Affected and Unaffected Lower Limbs Over Time.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyAnkle proprioception declined linearly over time after unilateral stroke, affecting both the injured and the seemingly healthy leg. The unaffected side could not serve as a reliable baseline. Clinicians should assess both limbs and monitor deficits from the acute phase onwards.
• OTSLPOther2025Rapport in same and mixed neurotype groups of autistic and non-autistic adults.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults reported higher rapport and enjoyment when grouped with other autistic adults. Non-autistic adults reported consistent rapport regardless of group composition. Autistic participants felt less rapport when they were the minority in mixed groups.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Musculoskeletal Pain as a Risk Factor for Poor Dizziness Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study Among Patients With Persistent Vestibular Dizziness.Physical therapyMore body pain sites and higher pain intensity predict worse dizziness and disability over 12 months in patients with persistent dizziness. This link is strongest in those with psychological distress. Screen for widespread pain and mood issues, as these patients recover less.
• PTOTQualitative2025Caregiver Experiences of a Peer Mentor Family Physical Activity Programme in England: A Qualitative Interview Study.Child: care, health and developmentCaregivers valued weekly volunteer contact for emotional support and accountability more than for activity plans alone. Teens often disengaged, so family-wide participation was inconsistent. Volunteers provided practical help and confidence building, filling gaps in parenting support during pandemic restrictions.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Factors contributing to non-compliance with active physiotherapy guidelines among chronic low back pain patients in India.Archives of physiotherapyIndian patients with chronic low back pain avoided active exercise because guidelines ignored cultural norms, like wearing a saree. They also distrusted therapists who failed to explain the rationale for exercises or who charged more for passive electrotherapy than active care.
• OTCohort2025Evaluating the disability employment gap and Its determinants: findings from a population-based cohort study in spinal cord injury.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesEmployment among people with spinal cord injury in Switzerland rose from 56% in 2012 to 65% in 2022. The gap with the general population narrowed from -26% to -17%, but widened for low education and Lake Geneva.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Mastication and electrical activation in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles of children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta.CoDASChildren with moderate-to-severe osteogenesis imperfecta showed higher muscle activation at rest and during chewing than those with mild forms. The absence of canine-guided occlusion and the presence of occlusal interference were linked to increased electrical activity in the jaw muscles at rest.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Time course for acquiring toileting independence in patients with subacute stroke: a prospective cohort study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStroke patients followed three distinct paths to toileting independence. Those with higher baseline function became independent quickly. Those needing assistance improved over time, while others remained dependent. This suggests targeting specific subtasks based on initial ability rather than using a uniform approach.
• OTCohort2025Longitudinally Predicting Behavioral Challenges From Executive Functioning in Youth With Down Syndrome.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesOnly working memory predicted later inattention in youth with Down syndrome. Inhibition and emotional control linked to aggression and rule-breaking at the same time, but did not predict these behaviors six months later once baseline levels were accounted for.