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 171 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTCohort2024Cognitive Self-Efficacy in Parkinson's Disease.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthPeople with Parkinson's disease without dementia reported lower confidence in their ability to manage cognitive symptoms than healthy adults. This low self-efficacy was linked to higher depression and greater medication dosage, suggesting patients may feel unable to cope with cognitive challenges even when recognizing them.
• OTQualitative2025Mothers' Perspectives: Daily Life When Your Child Has Sensory Differences.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthMothers of children with sensory differences described changing jobs, moving house and restricting family life to manage meltdowns and sensory overload. They felt blamed by schools and health services, but found relief through peer support, family help and small environmental adaptations like soundproofing.
• PTOTSLPCohort202512-Month trajectories of physical and mental symptom scores after COVID-19 hospitalization and their role in predicting "very long" COVID.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA survey given three months after hospitalization predicted long-term recovery with 91% accuracy. Physical symptom burden and cognitive complaints were the strongest markers, while age and mental health scores added little to the prediction.
• OTSLPCohort2025Play interactions of autistic preschoolers with their mothers and fathers without toys yield more positive interactions than play with toys.Autism : the international journal of research and practicePlay without toys yielded higher emotional availability than play with toys for both mothers and fathers of autistic preschool boys. Fathers were as emotionally available as mothers, and children were more responsive to fathers during toy-free play. These are observational comparisons, not evidence of improved outcomes.
• OTSurvey2025An Investigation of the Professional Resilience Strategies Used by Experienced Occupational Therapists.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthExperienced therapists reported using supportive home environments, taking breaks, and maintaining professional boundaries to manage workplace stress. Over half considered leaving the profession, with those in early and mid-career most likely to do so. Supervision was valued by some but not universally used.
• OTRCT2025A Fall Prevention Feasibility Trial for People With HIV and Alcohol Use.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthA pilot OT fall prevention package of virtual group sessions, home exercises, and phone calls was feasible: 23 were randomized and 22 completed, but virtual group attendance was low. It did not establish whether it prevents falls.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025A Home-Based Behaviour Change Intervention With Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity in People With Stroke and Diabetes-A Feasibility and Safety Study.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyFourteen stroke survivors with diabetes completed a 12-week home-based behaviour change programme. Recruitment was slow, questionnaire completion was low, and no efficacy claims can be made from this safety and feasibility test.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Pectoralis minor index range of healthy 18-24-year-old students from a Kenyan public university.The South African journal of physiotherapyHealthy Kenyan students aged 18-24 show lower pectoralis minor index values on their dominant side than on their non-dominant side. Gender differences in these values were significant in some postures but not others, suggesting that habitual use and sex both influence resting muscle length.
• OTOther2024Convergent validity of two adult self-report sensory scales: Comparing the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Sensory Processing Measure 2-Adult Form.Australian occupational therapy journalIn 42 Australian adults, scores on the newer Sensory Processing Measure 2-Adult Form correlated with the established Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile. This supports using either scale for adult sensory assessment, depending on whether you need system-specific details or sensation-seeking scores.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Pediatric Performance-Based Outcome Measures for Upper Extremity Function: A Scoping Review and Linking to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieThirty-two performance-based tests for children's upper limb function were mapped to the ICF. Most assess body function and activity, with significant gaps in participation and personal factors. Clinicians should note these measures do not capture real-world engagement or environmental barriers.
• OTSystematic Review2024An Occupational Perspective on Psychedelic Therapy: A Scoping Review.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieParticipants described psychedelic experiences as making daily activities more meaningful, deepening self-understanding, motivating future change, and increasing connection. These are subjective accounts, not tested interventions.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Middle-Aged Women With Rett Syndrome: Longitudinal Profile From the British Isles Rett Syndrome Survey and Suggestions for Care.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDMiddle-aged women with Rett syndrome usually had severity scores of 9 or below that stayed fairly stable over decades, but some lost walking, speech or hand use later. Hand stereotypies and sleep problems were often less severe in later life.
• PTOTQualitative2025Therapists to Therapy Assistants: Experiences of Internationally Educated Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieInternationally educated physiotherapists and occupational therapists working as assistants in Canada described severe financial strain, discrimination, and a loss of professional identity. They also reported gaining valuable cultural understanding and clinical experience, though they faced exploitation and barriers to licensure.
• PTOTCohort2025Postoperative hand therapy and the 2018 Medicare therapy cap repeal: Appraising cost and use changes.Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand TherapistsThe 2018 Medicare therapy cap repeal reduced out-of-pocket costs by about $1 per appointment but led to increased therapy use after carpal tunnel and distal radius fracture surgeries. This suggests coverage changes may drive utilization more than clinical need, potentially requiring prior authorization to balance access with appropriate care.
• PTOTPilot2025A pilot study for self-guided, active robotic training of proprioception of the upper limb in chronic stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFive people with chronic stroke improved their reaching movements after a single session of robotic proprioceptive training. However, the primary goal of improving position sense showed no significant change. This pilot suggests the method is feasible but does not yet prove it treats proprioceptive deficits.
• PTOTCohort2025Effect of robotic-assisted gait training on functional independence measure scores in patients with acquired brain injury: retrospective study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn patients with acquired brain injury, adding Ekso robotic gait training to inpatient rehabilitation did not improve functional independence scores more than standard therapy. More Ekso sessions did not predict better discharge scores.
• PTOTSLPOther2025The UK C-BiLLT: Validity and reliability of an online assessment of spoken language comprehension for children with severe motor disorders.International journal of language & communication disordersThe UK C-BiLLT accurately measures spoken language comprehension in children aged 18 months to 7.5 years. It is reliable for typical development and acceptable for children with severe motor disorders who use eye gaze or switches, though it may take up to an hour to complete.
• OTSurvey2025Theory of Mind Mediates the Association Between Autistic Traits and Social Isolation in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMiddle-aged and older adults with more autistic traits reported less social connection. Poorer theory-of-mind task performance partly accounted for this association, and it accounted for the whole association when depression and anxiety symptoms were considered.
• OTQualitative2025The Perceived Role of Occupational Therapists in Climate Change.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieCanadian occupational therapists and international experts reported personal climate anxiety, client occupational disruption, and professional strain. They wanted guidance, curriculum change, advocacy, and support for climate anxiety, disaster work, and equipment choices.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2025The 'Bounce Back' rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in South Africa - a case report.The South African journal of physiotherapyStroke survivors in a South African community programme gained functional independence and reported fewer problems, but depression outcomes varied. Some improved, while another worsened. This is a case series, not proof the programme caused change.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025"The Other Thousand Hours": A Spinal Cord Injury Self-Management Program Qualitative Analysis.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthParticipants with spinal cord injury valued a telehealth self-management program for creating peer community and weekly accountability. They reported feeling more proactive about health habits like skin checks and stretching. The group format and facilitator check-ins were cited as key drivers of engagement.
• OTOther2024Calculating the social impact of home automation for people with disability: A social return on investment study.Australian occupational therapy journalHome automation scenarios generated social value of $15.10 to $38.80 for every $1 invested over 10 years. Even removing the largest benefit, reduced carer hours, the lowest cost scenario still returned $15.85 per dollar. This supports OT advocacy for funding based on economic and social value.
• OTOther2024Occupational therapy practice for post-acute COVID-19 inpatients requiring rehabilitation.Australian occupational therapy journalPost-acute COVID inpatients improved by 31.09 points on the 18 to 126 functional scale, but care included a whole rehabilitation team, so this does not prove occupational therapy caused the gain. Patients valued pacing, energy conservation and practice of daily tasks.
• OTQualitative2024The experiences of families of children with cerebral palsy and complex disability after three years accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme.Australian occupational therapy journalParents of children with cerebral palsy or similar complex disability said the NDIS was essential, but navigation, equipment delays, and staff knowledge gaps remained stressful after years in the scheme. They valued occupational therapists who understood it.
• PTOTCohort2026Movement Behaviors in Youth on the Autism Spectrum: The HUNT Study, Norway.Journal of autism and developmental disordersNo autistic youth in this study achieved the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, compared to about one in five peers. They also sat significantly more. Outdoor activities were the only arena where their participation matched the general population.
• PTOTOther2025Use of the non-paretic arm reflects a habitual behaviour in chronic stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWhen chronic stroke patients had to choose an arm quickly, they used their non-paretic arm more often even when it earned fewer points. This suggests not using the paretic arm may reflect a habit, not only motor capacity.
• OTSurvey2025Analysis of factors influencing satisfaction with vocational rehabilitation services for young persons with disabilities in Sweden.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesYoung people receiving vocational rehabilitation were more satisfied when support felt person-centered, trustworthy, and useful for work, regardless of which model they were assigned to.
• OTOther2025The Sustainability of Self-Help Groups for Caregivers of Children With Disabilities in Kilifi, Kenya: The Changing Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.Child: care, health and developmentCaregivers of children with disabilities in Kilifi kept self-help groups connected through pandemic lockdowns by outdoor meetings, phone contact, savings and livelihood plans. Their reported quality of life was higher than parents with typically functioning children in four domains.
• PTOTOther2025Does Inspiratory Threshold Loading and Visual Tasking Affect Visual Attention Accuracy?Physical therapyHealthy adults tracking moving objects made more errors while breathing against inspiratory loads, with greater interference at moderate than low loads. Accuracy correlated with inspiratory muscle strength and emotional control. This suggests breathing effort competes for cognitive resources.
• PTOTRCT2025Cost-effectiveness of the My Therapy self-directed therapy program for rehabilitation patients: A stepped wedge cluster randomised trial.Clinical rehabilitationAdding a self-directed therapy program to usual care did not improve patient function or quality of life compared to usual care alone. While the program cost little per admission and increased therapy time by 26 minutes daily, it failed to achieve clinically significant gains in the primary outcomes.
• OTSystematic Review2025Conceptualisation of financial capability in adults with acquired cognitive impairment: A qualitative evidence synthesis.Clinical rehabilitationFinancial capability in adults with acquired cognitive impairment was described across models as multidimensional: task skills, real-world performance, context, supports, exploitation risk and legal capacity. Definitions varied, and independent task performance alone did not capture capability.
• PTOTCohort2025Children With Fragile X Syndrome Display a Switch Towards Fast Fibres in Their Recruitment Strategy During Gait.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRChildren with Fragile X Syndrome recruited fast-twitch muscle fibres more heavily than slow-twitch ones during walking, even when walking slower. This shift toward fatigue-prone fibres may explain their high fatigability and poor motor control, independent of gait speed.
• OTQualitative2025Framing Facets of Social Participation: Older Adults' Experiences of "Social Online Meetings".OTJR : occupation, participation and healthOlder adults described social online meetings as helping them feel less lonely and rethink everyday life. Technical problems and group size also limited connection, so the experience varied.
• OTQualitative2024Utility of 3D modelling of the patient's living environment as perceived by occupational therapists.Australian occupational therapy journalOccupational therapists found that a 3D model of a patient's home helped them see details missed by photos, take accurate measurements remotely, and explain adaptations to patients who struggle to describe their environment. It supported clinical reasoning but did not prove better patient outcomes.
• OTOther2024Whole Day Workload: Evaluation of a New Outcome Measure in Occupational Therapy for Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy AssociationThe whole day NASA-TLX is a reliable and valid measure of typical workload for adults with Type 1 diabetes. Aggregating just three to six daily assessments captures a person's typical workload accurately. The four-item mental strain version works well for most clients.
• OTPilot2024Using FRAME to adapt an evidence-based dyadic intervention program for people living with dementia in residential aged care: A pilot feasibility study.Australian occupational therapy journalAdapting the COPE program for aged care was feasible, with all five recruited dyads completing the intervention. However, staff and families identified that success depends on engaging care home staff for continuity and introducing the program earlier in the resident's journey.
• OTOther2025Exploring the Experience of Community Participation Among Individuals With Serious Mental Illness.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthPeople with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder participated less often and more in unstructured activities, while higher depressive symptoms were linked to more loneliness during community participation.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025Neural mechanisms underlying the improvement of gait disturbances in stroke patients through robot-assisted gait training based on QEEG and fNIRS: a randomized controlled study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobot-assisted gait training improved walking function more than conventional overground training in stroke patients. Brain scans showed greater activation in planning areas and shifts in EEG patterns linked to recovery. This suggests the robot helps rewire motor planning circuits, not just strengthen legs.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Digital play and rehabilitation for children and adolescents in hospitals, outpatient departments and rehabilitation centres: A scoping review.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineDigital play is widely used in pediatric rehabilitation, mostly for neurological conditions, but evidence for its effectiveness is weak. Most studies were small, feasibility trials with unvalidated outcomes. The field lacks rigorous data proving these interventions improve function.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Within-session dual-task walking practice improves gait variability in older adults with multiple sclerosis.Gait & postureOlder adults with MS walked with more variability than healthy peers, especially when adding a mental task. However, repeating the walking task three times in one session reduced this variability in both groups. This suggests short practice sessions can help stabilize gait.
• PTOTCohort2025Postural balance and functional muscle strength in the hands and legs one year after hospitalisation due to COVID-19.Journal of rehabilitation medicineOne year after hospitalisation for COVID-19, most patients had improved balance and strength, but nearly half still had impaired muscle strength. Older age and lower pre-illness activity predicted worse hand strength. Discharge strength was the strongest predictor of recovery, suggesting early assessment identifies those needing continued rehabilitation.
• OTQualitative2024Occupational therapy experiences of interprofessional collaboration in the support of autistic children.Australian occupational therapy journalAustralian OTs found collaboration with other professionals is hindered by NDIS funding limits and school access barriers. Success relied on established relationships, shared views on autism, and clear leadership roles, often falling to parents when coordinators were absent.
• OTSLPQualitative2024An evaluation of intervention appropriateness from the perspective of parents: A peer-mediated, play-based intervention for children with ADHD.Australian occupational therapy journal25 parents said a play-based intervention for children with ADHD was enjoyable and helpful, especially when the therapist was warm and the child liked video feedback. They wanted more support to keep gains at school and with other peers.
• OTQualitative2024'We are all bringing, like a unique sort of perspective': The core elements of a strengths-based digital arts mentoring program for autistic adolescents from the perspective of their mentors.Australian occupational therapy journalMentors said the program worked because they dropped the teacher role and became collaborators. They tailored support to each adolescent’s interests, gave them time to process, and used the snack break to build peer connections.
• OTSurvey2024Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) Is Also Relevant for Computer, Smartphone, and Tablet Use by Adults: Introducing the Brief Box Clicking Test.The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy AssociationSlower box-clicking time correlates with poorer visual perception and daily functioning difficulties. The test shows moderate stability over two years. It may help clinicians observe visual-motor interference with technology use, though it has not been compared with standard visual-motor integration assessments.
• OTSystematic Review2024Exploring the concepts of consumer feedback systems for occupational therapy student learning during practice placements: A scoping review.Australian occupational therapy journalConsumers engage and give critical feedback when they are called 'co-educators' rather than 'assessors'. Face-to-face discussion with a trusted mentor turns feedback into learning goals, whereas Likert scales produce vague, overly positive ratings that students cannot act on.
• PTOTCase Report2025Safety of cardiorespiratory and muscle fitness assessment in two children with leukemia during early chemotherapy.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineTwo children undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia safely completed maximal exercise and strength tests during early treatment. No adverse effects occurred, and the testing did not disrupt their treatment schedule. This suggests rigorous physiological assessment is feasible early in therapy, though sample size is too small to confirm benefits.
• PTOTCohort2025Can N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentration on admission predict the functional independence measure at discharge in patients aged 75 years or older with postoperative proximal femur fracture?Journal of physical therapy scienceIn older proximal femur fracture patients, a blood marker of heart failure severity did not predict total independence at discharge beyond the baseline score. Higher marker levels were linked to lower motor independence and smaller total and motor gains.
• OTOther2025The Impact of Cerebral Visual Impairment on Social Skills and Sensory Processing.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthToddlers with cerebral palsy and cerebral visual impairment had the lowest parent-reported social competence scores. Cerebral visual impairment was not linked to sensory processing differences beyond cerebral palsy itself.
• OTSLPCohort2025Beyond the Label: Antipsychotic Prescribing Practices at a Paediatric Neurodisability Service in Australia.Child: care, health and developmentIn 147 children with neurodisability, most antipsychotic prescriptions were for challenging behaviours, not psychosis. Risperidone was common, often off-label, and most prescribing encounters also included another psychotropic drug. This paper does not show whether medicines worked.