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 174 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRCT2025Different light color temperatures in the morning on the effectiveness of rehabilitation training in patients with ischemic stroke: a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled clinical trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMorning exposure to cold light (6500 K) during rehabilitation improved neurological function, sleep quality, and physical health scores in stroke patients compared to warm or standard light. Warm light showed no benefit over standard conditions. The effect was seen after four weeks of morning sessions.
• PTOTCohort2025Associations Between Sedentary Behaviour and Fine and Gross Motor Skills in 3- to 4-Year-Olds: A Secondary Data Analysis From Sunrise International Study Pilot Studies.Child: care, health and developmentIn 3- to 4-year-olds, higher screen time was linked to lower fine and gross motor scores. Meeting WHO guidelines for screen time and restraint was associated with being on track for motor development. Total daily sedentary time measured by accelerometer showed no significant link to motor skills.
• OTSurvey2025Feel the Burn, Heal the Burn: Job Crafting and Burnout Among Occupational Therapy Professionals.The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy AssociationIn 400 US occupational therapy professionals, workload was most strongly linked to personal and work-related burnout. Community settings had lower work-related burnout than hospital, skilled nursing, or pediatrics. Job crafting was linked to less burnout, but this survey cannot prove it reduces burnout.
• PTOTOther2025Psychometric validation of comprehensive coordination scale to assess the advanced coordination ability in people with stroke.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineThe Comprehensive Coordination Scale reliably measures motor coordination in chronic stroke survivors. A total score below 62.5 effectively distinguishes those with stroke from healthy older adults. However, the scale's bilateral and unaffected-side subscores showed poor reliability or diagnostic power.
• PTOTRCT2025Balance rehabilitation and Long Covid syndrome: effectiveness of thermal water treatment vs. home-based program.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHome-based rehab improved balance faster, while spa thermal water treatment produced more sustained gains over three months. Neither approach showed superiority at the end of treatment, and both groups experienced technical dropouts that limit confidence in these timing differences.
• PTOTOther2025Focusing Attention to Improve Throwing Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Exploring the Influence of Working Memory.Occupational therapy internationalFor boys aged 6 to 8 with autism, instructions to focus on their own body movements led to better long-term throwing accuracy than instructions to focus on the target. Working memory scores did not predict this learning.
• PTOTCase Report2025Effects of body weight-supported overground training on gait recovery in severe stroke-induced hemiplegia: a single-case ABAB design.Journal of physical therapy scienceA woman with severe stroke-related paralysis walked faster and took fewer steps when body weight-supported overground training was added to standard therapy. Her walking speed rose to 0.58 m/s during the training phase, dropping when it stopped and rising again when it resumed.
• PTOTOther2025Single exposure to optokinetic stimulation through virtual reality decreases reliance on visual inputs for posture control.Journal of physical therapy scienceA single two-minute session of virtual reality optokinetic stimulation reduced visual dependence in healthy adults. Eyes-closed sway and the Romberg ratio decreased significantly only after this condition, not after eyes-open or eyes-closed control tasks.
• OTQualitative2025Autistic-led insights on airport accessibility: A retrospective analysis of environmental assessments.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic consultants identified quiet rooms, soundproofing, and clear visual signage as key airport supports. They flagged reflective surfaces, sudden noises, strong scents, and confusing queues as major barriers. Pre-travel digital guides and consistent wayfinding help reduce anxiety for travelers.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Re-designing the experience of transition into nursing homes: A Singapore study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTTen nursing home residents described four transition phases and four distinct personas, from 'Lone Rangers' to 'Working Retired'. Their experiences highlight that administrative admission processes often override emotional preparation and autonomy, leading to unmet needs.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026"What My Son Needs Is Me. What I Need Is... Guidance": Caregiver Perspectives About Early Autism Supports Amid Changing Attitudes and Policies.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregivers valued supports that reduced their mental load and respected their child's identity over specific skill goals. They felt let down by rigid systems and unhelpful advice, preferring therapists who offered practical help and emotional validation.
• PTOTQualitative2025The Development of a Vocational Rehabilitation Program to Assist Individuals With MDRTB and TB in Returning to Work.Occupational therapy internationalOccupational therapists and physiotherapists reported that vocational rehab for TB survivors is often sacrificed for physical recovery. They recommended a holistic, staged model that prioritizes work skills and uses group activities to overcome resource shortages.
• OTSystematic Review2025'Occupational experience' in occupational therapy and occupational science literature: A scoping review.Australian occupational therapy journalOnly 14 articles defined occupational experience. 42 described it, grouped into six themes, and 30 mentioned it without definition or description.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Accessibility of Childcare Services for Children With Disabilities Aged 0 to 5 Years: A Scoping Review of Promising Solutions.Child: care, health and developmentChildcare accessibility research focuses almost entirely on social support and autism, leaving physical environment changes and other disabilities largely unexamined. Most solutions combine multiple interventions, so specific component effects remain unclear. Clinicians should advocate for broader research into environmental adaptations and non-autism populations.
• PTOTSurvey2025Physical activity profile of hypertensive adults living in rural South Africa.The South African journal of physiotherapyRural adults with hypertension met aerobic guidelines through work and transport, not leisure. Men reported more vigorous work activity, while women reported more moderate housework. Non-working participants sat longer on weekdays. Leisure activity was near zero for all.
• OTOther2025Investigation of the Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Basic Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire in Preschool Children.Occupational therapy internationalThe Turkish daily-living questionnaire for preschoolers was answered consistently by parents over 2 weeks, and scores related to a functional independence measure. Use it for Turkish preschoolers with typical development, not yet for disabled children.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025Effects of short-term strength training based on hip flexion angle-torque characteristics using a prototype machine.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn young adults, a prototype machine that increases load during deep hip flexion improved strength at 105° more than a standard weight-stack machine. Both machines improved strength at all other angles. The prototype machine was made by a company that part-funded the study.
• OTCohort2025Sensory processing patterns and their relationships to coping and occupational engagement in mental health service users.Australian occupational therapy journalIn 97 mental health service users, lower occupational engagement was linked to higher sensory sensitivity, low registration, and sensation avoiding. Higher engagement was linked to sensation seeking. Avoidant coping was associated with sensation seeking, and emotion-focused coping with low registration.
• PTOTOther2025Reliability and validity of skin elasticity meter to measure skin mechanical properties in patients with lower extremity cancer-related edema.Journal of physical therapy scienceThe Cutometer skin elasticity meter is a reliable tool for assessing lower extremity edema in cancer patients. The distensibility parameter (Offset+R0) showed the highest consistency and correlated with limb circumference, making it the most robust metric for tracking skin changes.
• OTSLPQualitative2025Co-designing a novel service delivery pathway to increase access to autism identification and care within a non-profit community organization serving culturally and linguistically diverse families.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceCommunity providers and caregivers shaped a new autism care pathway through five priorities: respecting diversity, caregiver choice, accessibility, reducing stigma, and feasibility. These insights guided the creation of a culturally adapted workbook and training tutorial for non-specialist providers.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Sensitivity and Specificity of Developmental Surveillance and Autism Screening in an Australian Multicultural Cohort: The Watch Me Grow Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersNo single screening tool or combination accurately identified developmental concerns in this multicultural cohort. The most sensitive approach missed 9 children, while tiered systems missed up to 21. Specificity remained low, risking over-referral. Repeated surveillance with clinician input is necessary for reliable detection.
• PTOTRCT2025Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with acupuncture therapy on brain network functional connectivity in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a single-center randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCombining brain stimulation with acupuncture reduced knee pain and stiffness more than either treatment alone after two weeks. All three groups improved, but the combined group had significantly lower pain scores than the acupuncture or stimulation groups.
• OTOther2025Influence of personalised citizen assistance for social participation (APIC) on health, social participation, and life satisfaction: Perspectives from older adults and attendants.Australian occupational therapy journalAttendants perceived improvements in older adults' mental health and life satisfaction, but self-reported scores showed no significant changes. Social participation varied widely, with some increasing activities and others decreasing them. The intervention did not significantly improve physical health or overall life satisfaction.
• OTQualitative2025Flex-ability - A key concept to promote occupational health in everyday life beyond sick leave.Work (Reading, Mass.)Nine workers returning from sick leave described "flex-ability" as key to staying well. They valued employers who allowed control over hours and tasks, support from family or social services, and shifting from people-pleasing to self-care.
• OTOther2025Exploring Goal Attainment Scaling Among Occupational Therapy Students: A Retrospective Descriptive Analysis.Occupational therapy internationalThree of five OT students failed a 75% competency benchmark for writing Goal Attainment Scales after only 3 hours of training. They often copied parent statements verbatim instead of creating measurable goals, showing that brief instruction does not produce competent GAS administration.
• PTOTCohort2025The Longitudinal Course of Physical Activity Behavior Poststroke and Its Variation Across Subgroups: The Norwegian Cognitive Impairment After Stroke Study.Physical therapyStroke survivors' physical activity declined steadily over three years. A quarter of participants remained in the least active group, with only the most active group meeting step recommendations. No subgroup increased activity over time, suggesting early intervention is critical to prevent long-term decline.
• OTSurvey2025Content validity of the Handwriting Assessment Battery (HAB-v6) for use with adults with acquired brain injury (ABI): An international Delphi study.Australian occupational therapy journalExperts judged the HAB-v6 relevant for assessing adult handwriting after ABI, but did not agree on the dots drawing subtest. They recommended adding vertical lines and number copying, and revising sentence copying.
• OTQualitative2025Occupational Therapist-Teacher Collaboration in Inclusive Education in Québec: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieTeachers and OTs described collaboration as hindered by unclear referral paths and OTs being spread across too many schools. They suggested protected meeting time, consistent OT presence, and joint workshops to build trust and clarify the OT role.
• PTOTQualitative2025Perspectives of Rehabilitation Professionals on Long COVID Interventions to Facilitate Return-to-Work.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieTherapists treating long COVID prioritize managing daily home tasks before work. Return-to-work plans often extend to 16 weeks, double the usual 8 weeks. Progress relies on trial-and-error pacing, waiting days after activity increases to avoid post-exertional crashes.
• PTOTSLPOther2025A Further Characterisation of the Neuropsychological Profile, Social Perception, and Academic Skills in Sotos Syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRChildren with Sotos syndrome show a distinct cognitive profile: relative strength in facial memory but significant weakness in rapid speech, visuospatial construction, and mathematics. Social perception skills were not specifically impaired compared to other domains, despite high rates of autism comorbidity.
• OTRCT2025The Effect of a Video-Based Game Exercise Program on Motor Skills, Proprioception, and Cognitive Functions in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities.Occupational therapy internationalAdding video games to occupational therapy improved lower-body function and non-dominant shoulder position sense in adults with intellectual disabilities. However, the groups were similar for most cognitive and fine motor measures, so the added benefit of games over standard therapy was limited.
• OTSystematic Review2025A systematic review of psychometric properties of questionnaires assessing activities of daily living among older adults with neurocognitive disorders.Australian occupational therapy journalThree informant-based questionnaires (Amsterdam IADLs, DAD, Bayer ADL) have the strongest evidence for assessing daily activities in older adults with dementia. The Amsterdam IADLs is best for early detection of complex task difficulties, while the DAD covers the full disease continuum.
• PTOTOther2025Interdisciplinary expert agreement on group and definitions for compensatory protective step strategies to prevent falls: A e-Delphi method study.Brazilian journal of physical therapyFourteen experts agreed on precise definitions for 14 compensatory step strategies used to recover balance. The group clarified ambiguous terms and distinguished between true strategies and unintended limb collisions, creating a standard language for fall prevention research and practice.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2025Upper limb robotic rehabilitation following stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating efficacy and the influence of device features and program parameters.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationDose-matched robotic therapy gave a tiny, short-lived boost to arm capacity that patients did not feel in daily life. It did not beat conventional therapy for activities. Games and feedback added nothing when a therapist supervised the session.
• OTQualitative2025'We're Not Really Into Helping, We're Into Being Useful': Service Provider Practices That Support Belonging Opportunities in the Lives of Adults Labelled With Intellectual Disabilities.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDParticipants described service provider practices they said supported belonging: centering rights, helping people explore dreams, and connecting them to people and places.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Reproductive Education and Sexual Abuse Among Individuals With Spina Bifida: A Mixed Methods Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationMost adults with spina bifida are sexually active but lack specific health education. Many do not know they can have children, leading to low contraception use. High rates of abuse were reported, with patients urging providers to speak to them privately without caregivers present.
• OTSystematic Review2025Workplace supports for early pregnancy loss: A scoping review of international literature.Work (Reading, Mass.)Workers often take sick or annual leave for early pregnancy loss because specific bereavement leave is unavailable. They frequently hide the loss due to stigma. Support depends heavily on informal manager kindness rather than formal policy.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Item-Level Psychometrics for the Functional Gait Assessment in Persons With Stroke.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationThe Functional Gait Assessment measures one thing in chronic stroke: walking balance. A new scoring sheet lets therapists see exactly which tasks a patient can handle and which are just out of reach, guiding treatment targets without needing to calculate complex statistics.
• OTSLPQualitative2025Assessment of older adults' decision-making capacity for independent living: Findings from a nominal group technique meeting in Ireland.Australian occupational therapy journalExperienced occupational therapists recommended assessing function, cognition and home environment, exploring will and preference through interview, and using communication supports when judging older adults' capacity for independent living. These are expert recommendations, not tested interventions.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Characterisation of Challenging Behaviours and Associated Genetic and Neurological Features in Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRCaregivers of 61 children and adults with cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome reported high rates of challenging behaviour. Behaviours peaked in adolescence. Escape and physical discomfort were the most common functions. Pain, sleep problems, and sensory differences were linked to higher behaviour frequency.
• OTOther2025Workplace accommodations for low-wage workers: A scoping review.Work (Reading, Mass.)Low-wage workers with health conditions often lacked job adjustments. Studies linked accommodations to staying employed, while low job control, unsupportive supervisors, and fear of stigma made them harder to get.
• OTCohort2025Changes in Psychological Distress in Children With Physical Illness and Their Parents During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Child: care, health and developmentParents reported more distress in themselves and their children with chronic physical illness during the pandemic. Parent distress rose then eased but stayed above pre-pandemic levels; child distress kept rising.
• OTQualitative2025Occupational Performance in the Discipline of Occupational Therapy During COVID-19 at a Public University in KwaZulu-Natal.Occupational therapy internationalOccupational therapy educators and students described pandemic online learning as stressful, isolating and inequitable. Poor home connectivity, inadequate support, and management decisions without student input harmed learning. Clinical training gaps were feared, while digital skills and open-book assessments were adapted.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025Evaluating self-assistance during functional reach with a passive hydrostatic exoskeleton under artificial impairment.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHealthy adults with induced hand impairment improved grasp speed faster when using a passive exoskeleton to assist themselves. They retained this speed after removing the device, showing no dependency. This pilot supports self-assistance mechanisms but does not prove clinical efficacy.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2025Effect of Dual-Task Training on the Number of EEG Bands in Stroke Patients.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyFive women with stroke showed reduced brain wave activity in all four EEG bands after 12 sessions of dual-task training. All improved on manual dexterity tests, but the authors state these clinical changes cannot yet be considered relevant or proven effective.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2025Clinical relevance of the effects of robotic rehabilitation for upper limb recovery after stroke in randomized studies: a systematic review with meta-analysis.Archives of physiotherapyRobot-assisted upper limb training after stroke did not produce benefits large enough for patients to consider clinically important, despite gains in daily activities, dexterity, arm function, and strength over control therapy.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Child Care and Development in the Migration Context of Brazil: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Study at an International Border.Child: care, health and developmentImmigrant parents in Brazil maintain strong physical care and bonding but struggle to provide play and stimulation due to stress, language barriers, and isolation. Children with these risk factors often show developmental delays, requiring clinicians to actively screen for social determinants rather than assuming neglect.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Amantadine Continuation After Hospital Discharge for Acute Stroke Requiring Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Long-term Follow-up Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn 28 stroke patients continuing amantadine into rehab, dosing varied widely but appeared safe. Most patients improved in mobility and speech, yet confusion and agitation often emerged when doses were reduced, not increased. This offers no guidance on optimal dosing or timing.
• PTOTCohort2025Investigating Balance Perception and Balance Performance in Neurological Disorders for Targeted Rehabilitation Strategies.Physical therapyFor people with Parkinson disease and stroke, confidence in daily activities linked strongly to dynamic balance tasks like stairs and turning. For multiple sclerosis, links were weak. Prioritize dynamic gait and sensory challenges for PD and stroke; results for MS are less clear.
• PTOTOther2025Spinal movement impairments in people with acute low back pain.Musculoskeletal science & practicePeople with acute low back pain showed spinal movement impairments as often as those with chronic pain. Modifying these impairments during the exam immediately reduced symptoms in the majority of acute cases, suggesting movement patterns are a relevant target even early in the condition.