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 18 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTCohort2026Assessing Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury and Health-Related Quality of Life in Three Eastern European Countries.Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & PractitionersAt discharge after pediatric traumatic brain injury, 30.6% of children aged 4-18 in Georgia and Moldova reported pain/discomfort and 23.8% reported usual-activity problems. Older children reported lower self-rated health.
• OTRNCohort2025Correlates of Metamemory in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With and Without HIV in the Deep South: A Cross-Sectional Study.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACDepression and race were the strongest links to how accurately older adults judged their own memory. Those with depression or who underestimated their abilities reported more memory mistakes and less satisfaction. Objective memory impairment rates were similar between HIV-positive and negative groups.
• PTOTSLPRNNarrative Review2025An overview of clinical presentation and management of long COVID.The Nurse practitionerLong COVID can be considered when symptoms persist beyond 12 weeks and alternative causes are excluded. Management is supportive: screen cardiac risk before exercise, use graded exercise, fluids, salt and compression for POTS, and refer to PT, OT, speech and swallowing rehab.
• PTOTOther2025Interprofessional Simulation-Based Training to Facilitate ABCDEF Bundle Implementation.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesSixteen ICU clinicians rated a 90-minute interprofessional simulation training as realistic and relevant. After training, more reported comfort with awakening trials, non-pharmacologic agitation management, and team mobilization of ventilated patients.
• OTQualitative2025The Impact of a Leadership Support Programme on Care Home Residents and Their Families: A Qualitative Study From the Perspective of Participating Care Home Leaders.International journal of older people nursingCare home leaders described using emotion cards, image cards and family-tree questions to ask residents and relatives what mattered during moves. They reported more sharing of feelings and more involvement in decisions.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Adaptation strategies for nurses with musculoskeletal pain in hospital work: a systematic review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn nurses with work-related musculoskeletal pain, exercise, stretching, mindfulness, auriculotherapy and workplace ergonomic programs reduced pain and supported work functioning.
• OTRNOther2026Translation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire in Hebrew (H-DSMQ) for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in Israel.Research in nursing & healthA Hebrew diabetes self-management questionnaire for adults with type 2 diabetes found higher self-care scores matched lower HbA1c, but the healthcare-use part was inconsistent. Use it as a patient-reported screen, not proof of cause.
• PTOTRNOther2025Examining Handgrip Strength in Persons Living With HIV in United States, Thailand, and South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACPeople living with HIV had lower handgrip strength than age and gender reference norms at every age group. In women, strength decreased with age; low grip was not linked to medication adherence or physical, social, or pain scores.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2025Care strategies for children with tracheostomy at school: a scoping review.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PChildren with tracheostomies can attend mainstream schools if the setting provides trained staff, emergency plans, and adapted logistics. Three care models rely on close coordination between families, schools, and healthcare services to ensure safety.
• PTOTRNOther2025Functionality and cognition of older adults hospitalized in a university hospital.Revista brasileira de enfermagemHospitalized older adults commonly had probable cognitive deficit and partial dependence in instrumental activities. Those aged 80 or older had more basic-activity dependence and probable cognitive deficit; age group did not show an association with instrumental activity dependence.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Healing at Home: Receipt of Home Health Care and Patient-Centered Outcomes Among Older Adults After Acute Myocardial Infarction.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHome health care after AMI made no significant difference to days not at home in older adults. It was linked to a lower chance of a 5-point or greater physical health status decline.
• OTSystematic Review2025The Impact of Psychosocial Interventions on Older Adults in the Community Experiencing Social Isolation: An Integrative Review.International journal of mental health nursingCommunity psychosocial programmes helped isolated older adults feel more connected and less alone. Programmes that included peer groups, befriending or one-to-one support showed benefits, but evidence came from small, varied studies.
• PTOTSLPRNSurvey2025Primary healthcare professionals' knowledge and self-efficacy on palliative care.Revista brasileira de enfermagemMost primary care professionals in São Paulo had contact with palliative care patients but lacked specific training. Nurses reported higher confidence in patient communication and daily care tasks, while physicians scored higher on medication knowledge. All groups showed gaps in recognizing their own and others' roles in the multidisciplinary team.
• OTRNQualitative2025Experiences and Perceptions of Functional Recovery in Late-Life Depression: A Qualitative Study.International journal of mental health nursingOlder adults recovering from depression described functional recovery as pushing through low motivation, accepting changed abilities, managing pain and fatigue, and relying on routines, family, pets and feeling understood.
• OTQualitative2026Tracking Secondary School Students: A Qualitative Investigation of an Online Student Monitoring System With Parent Portal.The Journal of school healthStudents, parents and teachers described a school monitoring portal as helpful for tracking work but also stressful: late grade alerts, less student responsibility, and parent conflicts. It reports perceptions, not proof that limiting access improves outcomes.
• PTOTRNCohort2025Community Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Outcomes.Worldviews on evidence-based nursingSix months after cardiac rehabilitation, patients continued to improve walking distance and kept waist size down, but blood pressure, weight, BMI, depression, physical activity and medication adherence worsened. Diet and smoking gains held.
• PTOTRNQualitative2025A Phenomenological Study of Older Individuals' Experiences of Safety at Home.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesOlder people receiving homecare described safety as staying in their own home, having nature, neighbours, and reliable help. They also reported falls, anxiety, loneliness, and practical barriers such as high bathroom thresholds.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2025Care for patients with hematologic neoplasms: contextual analysis resulting from a scoping review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemCare for blood cancer patients is shaped by gaps in training, communication, and access. Advance care planning and symptom self-management are underused due to lack of formal education and infrastructure, while technologies like mobile apps help monitor symptoms and reduce hospital stays.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2025Pain in Long COVID: A scoping review of clinical characteristics and patterns of manifestation.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemLong COVID pain appears across ages, most often in head, chest, neck, shoulder, lower back and hip. It can be mild to severe, daily or intermittent, lasting months to years. Women and people with prior pain often report more pain or worsening.
• OTRNSystematic Review2025Sociability of male cancer patients with stoma: a qualitative metasynthesis.Revista brasileira de enfermagemMen with cancer-related stomas described social isolation because pouch management, odor, leakage, body image, and lack of nearby toilets made public activities difficult. They hid difficulties from family and used clothing, fasting, and bathroom planning to cope.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2025Effects of Sling Exercise Training on Walking Ability and Balance Function in Patients With Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nursing & health sciencesDaily-living scores and walking endurance were not shown to improve, but suspension-based stroke training (sling exercise, body-weight-supported treadmill and robotic-assisted locomotor training) improved balance and walking.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Lagged effects of risk factors on the disability of older adults: A distributed lag non-linear model approach.International journal of nursing sciencesRisk factors for disability in older adults follow three distinct timelines. Functional limitations like walking difficulty cause immediate harm within one year, while conditions like depression and hospitalization exert a cumulative burden over three to four years.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026How Housing Influences Nursing Home Utilization in the United States: An Integrative Review.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHousing cost, ownership, and accessibility were associated with long-term nursing home use in U.S. studies. Renters were more likely to enter nursing homes than homeowners. Affordable housing and home modifications were associated with community transitions.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026Identifying Candidate Predictors of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries among Adult, Medical-Surgical Patients Using Clinical Expert Knowledge: A Delphi Study.Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses SocietyA panel of 16 clinicians agreed that 132 of 205 concepts are important for assessing pressure injury risk. Activity, age, mobility, moisture, skin condition, friction and shear, and repositioning reached 100% agreement. These are expert opinions on what to look for, not tested predictors.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Healthcare Professionals' Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare-A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.Journal of advanced nursingClinicians view AI as a tool for efficiency and safety, not a replacement for human judgment. They fear deskilling and job loss but accept AI if it frees time for patient care. Trust depends on transparency and nurses having a voice in design.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026Lived Experience of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survivors: A Phenomenological Study.Nursing in critical careSome ECMO survivors described lasting weakness, trouble walking, emotional distress and financial burden. Participants wanted clearer rehabilitation advice, and some wanted simpler follow-up and regular contact.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026Geriatric Models of Surgical Care: A Scoping Review.Journal of advanced nursingMost models shortened hospital stays, but mortality results were inconsistent. Nurse practitioners performed comprehensive geriatric assessments and coordinated care in 38% of studies. Allied health input appeared in 58% of models, yet functional outcomes and quality of life were rarely measured.
• OTQualitative2026Family influences on type 2 diabetes self-management: Perspectives of African American adults with food insecurity.Patient education and counselingFamily life shaped diabetes self-management: cooking separate meals was costly and stressful, overcrowding disrupted exercise, and caregiving led some to miss appointments. Families also gave reminders and walking partners.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Impact of Lymphedema on Women's Lives After Gynaecological Cancer: An Integrative Review.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesWomen after gynaecological cancer described lower-limb lymphedema as swelling, heaviness, pain and body-image distress that limited walking, work, clothing and sex. Clinicians often missed or delayed diagnosis. Women often had to self-manage.
• OTQualitative2026Family in the experience of multiprofessional team care for elderly residents of a Therapeutic Residential Service.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PMost older residents had absent or broken family ties, so staff became emotional references and some residents built new family-like bonds. Teams wanted coordinated care with family and other services, and saw residence care as a last option.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026The use of virtual reality in cancer patient health education: A scoping review.International journal of nursing sciencesCancer VR education tools include videos, immersive environments, radiotherapy simulations, 3D models, games and virtual characters. Small studies report better knowledge, less anxiety and some behavior change, but long-term effects and privacy are unclear.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026How Do Older People Experience Hospital to Home Discharge? An Overview of Qualitative Reviews.International journal of older people nursingOlder people wanted to go home but often felt uninvolved, rushed and poorly prepared. They reported jargon, not being listened to, unclear responsibility and poor recall, so discharge talks need time, plain language and clarity about who is responsible.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Experiences of Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Their Caregivers During the Pandemic: A Systematic Review.Nursing openCOPD patients and caregivers described pandemic fear, anxiety and loneliness, plus reduced activity. Some managed exacerbations at home. Telemedicine helped some, but others wanted face-to-face care.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Re-Engaging in Activities of Daily Living After Critical Illness: A Qualitative Review.Journal of clinical nursingCritical illness survivors described daily activity recovery as dominated by persistent weakness, fatigue, and memory problems, forcing home adaptations and family help that often felt burdensome. These barriers can persist for months or years.
• OTSurvey2026Can Peer Victimization Invalidate the Positive Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Adolescents' Health-Related Quality of Life?The Journal of school healthAmong 1343 adolescents, higher emotional intelligence was linked to better psychological well-being and peer support. Very high peer victimization weakened the link with peer support, but not psychological well-being.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Weekly Walking Attenuates the Association Between Frailty and Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.Research in nursing & healthIn adults with rheumatoid arthritis, frailty was linked to more depressive symptoms. Walking at least 3.5 days per week appeared to break this link. The association between frailty and depression was no longer significant in those who walked more frequently.
• PTOTRCT2026Functional Activities to Optimize Patient Outcomes in Home Health: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAdding HARP to usual home health therapy showed no significant difference in daily task performance compared with usual therapy alone. The trend favored usual care.
• PTOTOther2026Exploring an Allied Health Student Placement Model in Rural Aged-Care Settings: A UDRH Collaborative Evaluation Using RE-AIM.The Australian journal of rural healthAllied health students in rural aged care delivered 71 weeks of services, improving resident access and reducing staff workload. Students reported positive shifts in attitudes toward aged care, though significant financial barriers and supervision constraints threatened sustainability.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026Resident and Family Carer Perspectives on the Impact of Allied Health Student Placements on Service Delivery to Residents in Northern NSW Aged Care Homes: A Qualitative Study.The Australian journal of rural healthResidents and family carers described placements by physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition and dietetics and social work students as adding care time and perceived gains in mobility, communication and mood. They said short placements disrupted continuity.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026Delivering Palliative Care in Mental Health Nursing Settings: A Systematic Review.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingPeople with complex mental illness and dementia had very low access to palliative care, often lacked advance decisions, and needed familiar, continuous settings. Nurses may under-rate dementia symptoms.
• PTOTQualitative2026Health and Social Care Professionals' Perspectives of the Desired Interprofessional Collaboration in Frequent Attenders' Person-Centred Care: A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesProfessionals caring for people who use services often wanted collaboration to make patients and families equal team members, with low-hierarchy partnership, shared home assessments and seamless information flow.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2026Adapting to a Shrunken World: A Grounded Theory of Resident Adaptation to Life in Residential Aged Care.Journal of advanced nursingResidents who accepted their need for care viewed the move as a trade-off for safety, allowing them to focus on remaining abilities. Those who resisted saw every assistance as a loss of self, leading to resentment and withdrawal.
• OTRNSurvey2026Dignity Among Older Persons in Long-Term Care Institutions in Taiwan and Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study.The journal of nursing research : JNR48.9% of 188 older residents in southern Taiwan long-term care institutions reported low dignity. Fewer or no children, lower daily living independence, inability to walk, higher education, and depression were associated with low dignity.
• OTQualitative2026Exploring Staff Perspectives on the Feasibility of Integrating the Environmental Components of a Novel Intervention for Hydration in Long-Term Care.International journal of older people nursingLong-term care staff reported that a drink cart and larger glasses fit into routines and helped them offer fluids, though some residents needed smaller glasses or half-filled cups.
• OTSLPRNOther2026Psychometric Properties of the Children With Cerebral Palsy (7-18 Years Old) Self-Care Skills Scale-Parent Form: A Turkish Validity and Reliability Study.Nursing openParents of Turkish children with cerebral palsy aged 7-18 can rate 19 self-care items, from feeding to communicating needs. Scores tracked gross motor levels and stayed similar over 2 weeks, but there is no cutoff for low or high.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Identifying Risk Factors for Fall-Related Injuries Among Inpatients at a Tertiary Hospital in China: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Nursing openAmong 145 inpatient falls, improper footwear had higher injury rates (68.10% vs 51.00%), and toileting caused 35.43% of falls. Patients with full mobility had the highest injury rate (66.10%).
• OTQualitative2026Personal and Societal Recovery in Depression-A Qualitative Study.International journal of mental health nursingPeople who experienced depression described recovery as first knowing themselves and managing symptoms, then joining low-pressure activities until they could choose meaningful work or roles. Empathetic support helped early; practical guidance mattered later.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Asian Immigrants Through the Lens of Sense of Coherence: Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.Journal of advanced nursingOlder Asian immigrants linked loneliness to language barriers, reversed family roles and lost cultural connection. Ask about these when assessing older adults, not only mood.
• PTOTRCT2026Feasibility and Acceptability of the Living My Life Program for Rural and Remote Stroke Survivors.The Australian journal of rural healthFour of five rural stroke survivors completed a 12-week online coaching program, found it acceptable, and reported progress on personal goals using their own technology. This pilot shows it can be done, not that it works.
• OTSystematic Review2026Exploring Values Conflict Between Islamic Modesty and Healthcare Guidelines Among Healthcare Providers and Students: A Scoping Review.Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing SocietyIslamic modesty conflicts in healthcare were inconsistently described, especially around dress, touch, and cross-gender care. Staff used chaperones, gloves, and same-gender assignments, but no consistent guidance existed.