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 176 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Cultural safety and First Nations health content within tertiary education for undergraduate health-care students: A scoping review.Australian occupational therapy journalFirst Nations health content is widely included in undergraduate health degrees but delivered inconsistently. Assessment focuses on student knowledge and attitudes rather than demonstrated cultural safety in practice, leaving a gap between what graduates learn and how they work.
• OTQualitative2025'That connection with community… it is just a positive thing': Mentoring autistic adolescents participating in community coding programmes.Australian occupational therapy journalMentors and facilitators described coding clubs as a social process where they gained confidence, skills and community. They reported personal satisfaction and better mental health, but also stress from unclear roles. They asked for more training and clearer expectations to support autistic adolescents effectively.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025Safety and efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients: a pilot study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesBelt-type electrical stimulation during dialysis was safe for frail elderly patients, with no injuries or medication changes. Five of eight completers showed improved mobility scores and increased thigh muscle mass on CT scans, though these are preliminary findings from a small pilot.
• PTOTCohort2025Association between changes in body composition and weight at admission and discharge from convalescent rehabilitation wards.Journal of physical therapy scienceWeight changes in rehab patients tracked with different body composition shifts by sex. Men who gained or lost weight showed significant changes in body fat mass. Women showed significant changes in skeletal muscle index. This suggests monitoring fat in men and muscle in women.
• PTOTCohort2025A longitudinal study of frailty reversibility through a multi-component dementia prevention program.Journal of physical therapy scienceProcessing speed improved significantly in older adults with prefrailty or frailty after a 3-month community program. No cognitive changes occurred in the robust group. Muscle mass decreased in the prefrailty group, while body fat increased in both groups.
• OTCase Report2025Sensory integration combined with interoceptive interventions for functional urinary incontinence in children: a case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA child with daytime urinary urgency and leakage had those symptoms resolve after 8 weeks of sensory integration and interoceptive training while continuing nightly desmopressin. Bedwetting decreased but persisted. This cannot separate the components or show the treatment works.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Estimates of the global workforce required for providing assistive technology: a modeling study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA modeling study estimates that meeting global assistive technology needs requires 4.4 million full-time equivalent workers. This calculation assumes every country achieves the high access levels and workforce productivity currently seen in Sweden. Actual requirements will vary significantly based on local resources and service organization.
• PTOTCase Report2025Case Report: Design of a University of the District of Columbia (UDC) intrepid dynamic exoskeletal orthosis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA 3D-printed prototype brace restricted left ankle motion by 11 degrees in one healthy person. Walking speed did not change. The design process was faster and cheaper than standard methods, but clinical effectiveness is unproven.
• PTOTQualitative2025The use of robotic upper limb therapy in routine clinical practice for stroke survivors: Insights from Australian therapists.Australian occupational therapy journalNine therapists accepted robot arm therapy as extra practice for stroke survivors with dense arm weakness, but occupational therapists used it less because the device sat in the physiotherapy gym.
• OTOther2025Understanding Occupational Therapists' Job Satisfaction Through an Ecological Lens-A Qualitative Scoping Review.Occupational therapy internationalOccupational therapists described job satisfaction as meaningful, client-centered work, but also reported barriers such as limited recognition, administrative tasks, and inadequate support. The themes may guide service discussions, not prove interventions.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025A survey of urinary incontinence and health literacy among female rehabilitation professional therapists.Journal of physical therapy scienceNearly half of the 73 female rehabilitation therapists surveyed reported urinary incontinence. Symptoms were linked to childbirth and work tasks like lifting, not low health literacy. Therapists should screen colleagues and advocate for better restroom access.
• PTOTRCT2025Effects of dual task training on attention and executive functioning in hemodialysis patients: a preliminary study.Journal of physical therapy scienceDual-task training during aerobic exercise improved speed on a divided-attention test in hemodialysis patients compared with usual dialysis; exercise alone did not improve it.
• OTOther2025The occupational depression inventory confounds depressive symptoms with their assumed work-related causes.Work (Reading, Mass.)This commentary argues that the Occupational Depression Inventory is flawed because it mixes depressive symptoms with assumptions about their work causes. It offers no new clinical data or treatment evidence for therapists to use with patients.
• PTOTOther2025Multiple regression model for ascertaining the skeletal muscle mass index using grip strength and lifestyle factors in older outpatients.Journal of physical therapy scienceA formula using body weight, grip strength, sex, comorbidities, meals, and activity predicts muscle mass index in older outpatients. It helps when standard equipment is unavailable, but validation in other groups is needed before routine use.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Successful Online Exercise Intervention Studies for Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities Including Down Syndrome: Best Practices and Recommendations.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDTwo research teams recommend using small online exercise groups, consistent routines, and visual cues for adults with intellectual disabilities. They advise checking home support needs first, as some participants prefer independence over caregiver involvement during sessions.
• PTOTOther2025Effects of smartphone use in various floor sitting positions on spinal and pelvic alignment and gluteal pressure in healthy adults.Journal of physical therapy scienceSide sitting on the floor while using a smartphone caused the most uneven pressure on the buttocks and the largest pelvic tilt. Long sitting was the most symmetrical posture, but all three positions led to increased trunk flexion over 30 minutes.
• OTPilot2025Dynamic testing with graduated prompts training: Adolescents with executive function deficits.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTAdolescents with executive function deficits showed large improvements in drawing accuracy and memory after graded prompts training. The gains were immediate and within the same session. No control group was used, so this shows learning potential during testing, not that the intervention works long-term.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Services Delivered by Specialized Professionals in Childcare Settings in Québec, Canada: Strengths and Limitations of Current Service Delivery Models.Child: care, health and developmentChildcare administrators in Québec identified ten service delivery models for professionals like SLPs and OTs, categorized by funding source and focus. Childcare-led models offered flexibility and trust, while healthcare-led models provided free access but suffered from long waitlists and rigid mandates. No single model met all needs.
• PTOTCohort2025Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy combined with physical therapy on improving outcomes in chronic low back pain.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding six cognitive behavioral therapy sessions to standard physical therapy for chronic low back pain produced greater reductions in pain, disability, and fear of movement than physical therapy alone after 12 weeks.
• PTOTCohort2025Association Between Muscle Activity of Upper Limbs and Respiratory Parameters During Functional Performance in People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.Occupational therapy internationalPeople with mild to moderate COPD used their chest muscles more than healthy peers when reaching up, but did not always breathe less efficiently. Only one specific muscle group showed significantly higher activity during hair washing and shelf tasks.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Sociotechnical Adaptation of Telerehabilitation in Rehabilitation Practice: Survey Among Rehabilitation Professionals.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesProfessionals said telerehabilitation adoption depended on clients' skills, support, suitable technology, and organizational conditions. It reports perceptions during pandemic use, not evidence that remote therapy improves outcomes.
• PTOTCohort2025Prediction of independent ambulation in subacute stroke patients: a retrospective observational study using lower limb motor and balance assessments.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdmission scores on the Berg Balance Scale and Fugl-Meyer lower limb test predicted independent walking at discharge in subacute stroke patients. A Berg score of 38.5 or higher on admission best identified those likely to walk independently.
• PTOTRCT2025Effects and neural mechanisms of a brain-computer interface-controlled soft robotic glove on upper limb function in patients with subacute stroke: a randomized controlled fNIRS study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding brain-computer interface control to a soft robotic glove improved arm movement scores more than the glove alone in subacute stroke patients. However, this did not translate to better independence in daily activities, and the study was small and short-term.
• OTSurvey2025Exploring the multidimensional occupational participation of young adults with developmental coordination disorder.Australian occupational therapy journalYoung adults with developmental coordination disorder often needed help with daily living and mobility tasks, reported low pleasure in everyday activities, and found social and community activities meaningful and enjoyable.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Access to services for autistic people across Europe.Molecular autismAutistic people in Europe reported failed attempts to access therapy, mental health and autism diagnostic services, and most formally diagnosed participants had waited at least a month for diagnosis. Children and female participants faced more barriers for some services.
• OTSLPCase Report2025Complex ADHD in a Child With Tic Disorder.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPA child with ADHD and new-onset tics illustrates the clinical dilemma of balancing medication efficacy against side effects. Management involves distinguishing tics from stimming, considering alpha-2 agonists or CBIT, and prioritizing functional impact over symptom suppression.
• OTSLPOther2025The influence of interpersonal synchrony and autism on impressions of dyadic interactions: a preregistered study.Molecular autismObservers rated mixed autistic/non-autistic interactions as less pleasant than non-autistic pairs, regardless of their own diagnosis. Better movement synchrony improved ratings slightly. Autistic observers looked at heads less but reached similar conclusions about pleasantness.
• OTNarrative Review2025The relationship between attachment and mental health at work: A narrative review.Work (Reading, Mass.)Secure attachment and supportive leadership are linked to lower burnout and better job satisfaction, while insecure styles correlate with distress. However, this is a narrative review of 39 articles, not a trial, so it offers a framework for understanding workplace mental health rather than evidence for treatment.
• PTOTOther2025Effects of whole-body cryostimulation on spinal and shoulder range of motion in individuals with obesity.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAdding whole-body cryostimulation to a 4-week rehabilitation program improved spinal and shoulder range of motion in people with obesity compared to rehabilitation alone. The control group saw no significant change in these measures.
• OTSurvey2025Differences in personality and character traits of occupational therapy researchers and non-researchers: A cross-sectional study.Australian occupational therapy journalAustralian occupational therapists who reported research engagement scored higher on love of learning, curiosity, and creativity than those classified as non-researchers. The other measured traits did not separate the groups, so this describes an association, not a cause.
• OTSurvey2025Assessment of Support for Independent Living: Perspectives of People With Intellectual Disabilities and Support Professionals.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDAdults with intellectual disabilities rated support for independent living more positively when they lived in their own homes than in group homes. Professionals and recipients disagreed on home belonging, respect, transport, technology, leisure and support evaluation.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Perspectives From Canadian People With Visual Impairments in Everyday Environments Outside the Home: Qualitative Insights for Assistive Technology Development.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesPeople with visual impairments ranked human assistance as their most critical facilitator for everyday tasks, followed by preparedness and accessible physical space. Inaccessible signage and difficulty walking around were the top barriers. Smartphone apps were viewed as helpful but incomplete.
• OTQualitative2025Active Play as a Window Into the Worlds of Twins and Triplets With Autism.Occupational therapy internationalParents of twins and triplets with autism described active play as a window into each child's world. They used it to notice strengths, motivations, and nonverbal cues, and to understand how each child communicated.
• OTSurvey2025A global profile of occupational therapy and primary care: Results from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists survey.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTMost countries report occupational therapy in primary care, but access is uneven. High-income nations provide more assistive technology and adolescent services. Funding relies heavily on government, yet shortages and lack of role recognition persist globally, limiting consistent service delivery.
• OTCase Report2025Co-occurring Anxiety in a Child With Autism and ADHD.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPIn one child with autism, ADHD, and anxiety, neuropsych testing clarified overlapping symptoms. Recommendations included school accommodations, modified CBT, and medication. Parent disagreement delayed treatment, requiring collaborative planning and separate meetings to ensure consistency.
• OTQualitative2025'I couldn't change his nappy': New mothers' experiences of De Quervain's tendinosis and its impact on occupational performance.Australian occupational therapy journalPain and reduced strength from De Quervain's tendinosis made lifting, feeding, changing nappies, chores, and self-care hard for 15 new mothers. They asked for earlier education on safe handling and splint plans that fit caregiving.
• PTOTPilot2025Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Japanese translation of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper and lower extremity sensorimotor function after stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe Japanese Fugl-Meyer Assessment was translated and tested in 10 patients with chronic stroke. Raters agreed on most items, with agreement above 90% for the majority. Only two sensation items showed scoring inconsistencies, which were corrected in the final version.
• PTOTCohort2025Design and validation of an energy level diary for fatigue management in patients with post-COVID syndrome.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA new diary tracking energy levels, not just fatigue, successfully mapped daily fluctuations in post-COVID patients. It showed active therapies drain energy while passive ones restore it, offering a practical tool for pacing rehabilitation without overexertion.
• OTQualitative2025Occupational Therapists' Career Planning, Development, and Progress: An Australian Mental Health Perspective.Occupational therapy internationalSeven senior mental health OTs described career progression as nonlinear and multifaceted. They valued secondments and OT-specific supervision but noted generic career frameworks often lack discipline-specific nuance. Passion for the work and positive student placements were key drivers for entering and staying in the field.
• PTOTCase Report2025Focal muscle vibration and neurocognitive exercise improve function and reduce neuropathic pain after sciatic nerve injury: a case report assessment through gait analysis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOne patient with chronic sciatic nerve pain improved after combining focal vibration with neurocognitive rehab. Pain dropped from 6 to 3 on a 0-10 scale, and gait speed increased. This is a single case, so it does not prove the treatment works for others.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025The proportion and clinical characteristics of patients with stroke who returned to work six months after discharge from a convalescent rehabilitation ward: a descriptive study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTwo-thirds of working-age stroke patients returned to work six months after discharge. Those who did not return had higher rates of aphasia and lower cognitive scores, even when motor function and daily living skills were similar to those who returned.
• OTQualitative2025Analyzing Occupational Performance of Children With Handwriting Difficulties: Parent and Teacher Experiences and Perspectives.Occupational therapy internationalParents and teachers described children's handwriting as tied to mood, motivation, confidence, memory, attention, grip and hand use. They also pointed to learning styles, parent-teacher collaboration, and sibling or peer influence as supports or barriers.
• PTOTOther2025Understanding bracing outcomes in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: a mixed-methods approach.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAdolescents wearing braces for scoliosis reported that satisfaction with the brace was linked to better quality-of-life scores. Common complaints included sleep, breathing, chest pain, heaviness, balance problems and brace colour.
• OTPilot2025Supporting Occupational Therapists in Predischarge Home Visit Decision-Making: Development and Evaluation of a Decision-Making Support Tool.Occupational therapy internationalUsing a new traffic-light tool did not change how confident or easy therapists found deciding on home visits. However, it significantly improved the accuracy of those decisions for both novice and experienced therapists.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Thriving for Adolescents With Intellectual Disability: A Photo-Elicitation Qualitative Study.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDAdolescents with intellectual disability defined thriving as five elements: enjoying life, developing, having a positive sense of self, connecting, and mattering. Parents added a sixth element, a safe and supportive environment. These themes were derived from photo-elicitation interviews.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Delayed inpatient rehabilitation and functional outcomes for acute stroke: a retrospective cohort study in an Australian regional hospital.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStroke patients waiting more than 24 hours for a rehab bed after being medically ready gained less function relative to their potential and recovered more slowly. These delays, mostly caused by bed shortages, also led to longer hospital stays. Timely admission matters for functional recovery.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Relationship between plantar pressure distribution and sagittal spinal curvatures among handball players: A cross-sectional study.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoHandball players with greater thoracic kyphosis shifted more body weight to their forefoot and less to their rearfoot. This pattern was linked to spinal curvature and trunk length, not just body weight. Static posture assessment may help identify load distribution risks.
• OTOther2025Changes in lifespace and participation in community-based occupations of people with acquired brain injury: A mixed methods exploration 6 months following occupational therapy driving assessment.Australian occupational therapy journalAfter the driving assessment for acquired brain injury, people who returned to driving travelled farther and joined more community occupations. Those who did not return to driving left home less, mainly for errands and health care, and felt stuck.
• OTQualitative2025Circus Use by Occupational Therapists: A Collective Case Study.Occupational therapy internationalOccupational therapists mainly used circus to engage clients around motor, cognitive, and social and emotional goals. Community health benefits were often implied, not explicitly intended or measured.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Person-Centred Plans From the Perspective of Persons-Supported in a Community Care Setting: A Qualitative Study.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDPerson-centred plans at a leading care provider work by turning broad goals into small, visible daily steps. Participants valued the flexibility to choose between large collaborative meetings or quiet one-on-one sessions, and used binders or house boards to track progress.