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 19 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTRNSystematic Review2026Experiential Aspects in Patients With Permanent Urostomy Following Bladder Cancer Surgery: Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies.Nursing openPeople living with a permanent urostomy after bladder cancer surgery described fear of leaks and odour, changed body image, sexual problems, family and financial stress, and gaps in home stoma care. These themes describe daily life, not treatment effects.
• OTRNSurvey2026Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Bathing Care Among Patients with a Stoma and Their Correlations With Quality of Life: A Cross-sectional Study.Advances in skin & wound carePatients with a stoma had moderate bathing knowledge but more affected attitudes and practices. Bathing knowledge, attitude, and practice were linked to quality of life, especially timing, products, leakage, and confidence.
• OTRNOther2026Healing Steps on Country-Exploring Care Pathways for Aboriginal People in the Kimberley With Diabetes-Related Foot Disease.The Australian journal of rural healthRemote Aboriginal patients with diabetes foot disease had many acute foot-care visits and hospital admissions, but little preventive care. They valued local Aboriginal health services, support people, and self-care, while hospital discharge left some under-informed and under-equipped.
• OTQualitative2026Enhancing the Therapeutic Relationship Between Mental Health Case Managers and Individuals With Serious Mental Health Conditions: A Participatory Action Research Study in Community-Based Services.International journal of mental health nursingMental health case managers described changes in building therapeutic relationships: choosing patient-selected places, using tone of voice, and planning gradual discharge. Patients valued individualization, empathy and honesty. No patient outcomes were measured.
• OTRNQualitative2026Self-Care Experiences and Support Needs of Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Multimorbidity: A Qualitative Study Informed by the Caring Life-Course Theory.Journal of clinical nursingEighteen older adults with multimorbidity said self-care was learned through trial and error, not clinic education. They felt emotional needs were overlooked in healthcare and relied on family, peers and online groups.
• OTRNCohort2026Stage of Disease Among Hospitalized Persons Living With Dementia: A Multisite Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMost hospitalized dementia patients had moderate dementia, not severe. They were more likely to be older, Black, admitted to general medicine, and diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Severe dementia was rare and may be missed because palliative or hospice patients were excluded.
• PTOTRNRCT2026From Intensive Care to Recovery: Feasibility of a Randomised Controlled Study Design Evaluating a Cognitive Rehabilitation Intervention for Critically Ill Patients.Nursing in critical care83 ICU patients were randomised to usual care or cognitive rehabilitation, but only 33 completed 6-month follow-up. This tested trial procedures, not whether mindfulness or brain training improves recovery.
• OTOther2026Influence of a Co-Designed Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program on Clinician Attitudes Toward People Who Use AOD: A Quantitative Evaluation.International journal of mental health nursingClinicians self-reported less blame, anger and disappointment toward people who use drugs, and less support for criminalising drug laws, after a co-designed alcohol and other drug study day. Attitudes about deserving collaboration did not change significantly.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026Meaning and Influencing Factors of a Good Death for Community-Dwelling Individuals With Dementia: An Integrative Review.International journal of older people nursingPeople with dementia and families described a good death as pain-free, at home, with family present, dignity and autonomy, and meaningful activities. Community resources and advance care planning were linked to these views.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026Identifying types of non-pharmacological interventions administered by healthcare providers for older adults with neurocognitive disorders who have lower urinary tract symptoms: A scoping review.Japan journal of nursing science : JJNSNon-drug continence care for older adults with neurocognitive disorders and urinary symptoms was mapped into individualized, behavioral, cognitive, and educational interventions across 18 studies. As severity increased, care shifted from self-management to caregiver-led and technology-assisted support.
• OTQualitative2026Like Bits in a Jigsaw: Exploring Ancillary Staff Interactions With Care Home Residents.International journal of older people nursingAncillary staff such as cleaners and cooks were described by residents and families as noticing eating changes, offering comfort and building affectionate relationships. These interactions were valued, but the study does not test whether changing roles improves care.
• OTRNOther2026Effect of Board Games with Mobile Applications on Cognition in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Quasi-Experimental Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyOlder adults with mild cognitive impairment who joined board-game sessions, MCI education and app practice scored higher on a cognitive test than controls who got education and app access. Because groups were assigned by clinic, not randomized, this is promising, not proof.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Barriers and Facilitators Perceived by Primary Healthcare Professionals About Physical Activity Prescription, a Meta-Ethnography.Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)Primary care professionals want to prescribe physical activity but feel blocked by time constraints, lack of training, and poor referral systems. They often view it as someone else's task or a waste of resources. Systemic support, not just personal motivation, is needed to make it routine.
• OTQualitative2026Perceptions of Psychiatric Nurses on Substance Use Relapse Prevention Among the Youth- An Exploratory Qualitative Study.Nursing openPsychiatric nurses attributed youth relapse to psychological avoidance, family stigma, and easy drug access. They recommended continuity of care via case managers, halfway homes, and community education to reduce stigma and boredom.
• OTRNQualitative2026The complexity of caregiving amid challenges: experiences of families with young caregivers.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PFamilies with young caregivers described exhausting, hidden care routines. Young people lost leisure and school time, while guardians feared being reported. Ask who is caring at home and support the whole family.
• OTQualitative2026Alert Systems for People Living with Dementia who go Missing: Case Studies in Canada, Scotland, and the United States.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresPeople living with dementia went missing during routine walks or drives. Families described fear and helplessness, and some turned to GPS phones, ID bracelets, or alert systems that were sometimes unavailable or not activated.
• PTOTRNSurvey2026Patient and Family Perspectives of Pressure Injury Prevention and Management in Acute Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey.Journal of clinical nursingMany patients and caregivers knew pressure injuries exist, but most did not hear about their risk or receive prevention resources during hospital admission. They preferred verbal information and brochures. Not hearing about risk was linked to more self-reported pressure injuries.
• PTOTSLPRNMeta-Analysis2026Efficacy of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) on Pain Symptoms and Sleep Quality Improvement in Chronic Pain Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.Nursing openInternet-based CBT reduced chronic pain and improved sleep quality in adults immediately after treatment. These benefits did not last: at follow-up, pain scores showed no significant difference from controls. The effect was also absent in children under 18.
• PTOTSLPRNRCT2026Supporting Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Coronary Heart Disease: Development of a Web-Based Nursing Intervention.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresOlder adults recovering from coronary surgery described fear of triggering symptoms and uncertainty about safe exercise as key barriers to being active. They asked for clear, personalized guidance and regular encouragement from a nurse to build confidence.
• PTOTRNOther2026Health Outcomes Following the Health-Promoting "Reflective STRENGTH-Giving Dialogue" Intervention Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesParticipants reported lower impact of health problems on daily life and higher well-being after each dialogue on average. Over 14 weeks, no significant within-group changes were found.
• PTOTSurvey2026Health-Related Quality of Life of Adults With Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study in Primary Care.Journal of clinical nursingAdults with Long COVID reported worse health-related quality of life than those without, especially anxiety/depression, pain/discomfort, and usual activities. These differences remained after accounting for age, sex, and comorbidities.
• OTRNQualitative2026Experiences of older people in Long-Term Care Institutions in light of the theory of Liquid Modernity.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S POlder people in long-term care often described institutionalization as imposed by family, with lost autonomy, loneliness, and rigid routines. They also valued safety, basic care, and staff attention. This reports their experiences, not tested interventions.
• OTCohort2026Intracerebral Haemorrhage in the Top End of the Northern Territory; Risk Factors, Outcomes and the Presence of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in Indigenous Peoples.The Australian journal of rural healthFunctional recovery was poor after intracerebral haemorrhage: only 30.1% were independent at discharge, and with chronic kidney disease only 11.4% were independent. This was an observational hospital audit, not a treatment trial.
• OTQualitative2026Sense of School Belonging and School Reintegration for Students Hospitalized With Chronic or Complex Medical Diseases: Insights From a Grounded Theory Study.The Journal of school healthHospitalized children described school belonging in hospital school mainly through close hospital teachers, not peers. Mainstream schools often felt distant, and digital lessons did not replace human contact. Reintegration was described as smoother when there was contact with classmates and teachers, not just lessons.
• OTQualitative2026Emotions Associated With Urinary Incontinence in Nursing Home Residents: A Phenomenological Analysis of Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives.Nursing openNursing home staff reported residents with urinary incontinence felt embarrassment, guilt, anger and fear of leaking, especially during activities. Staff said calm handling, trust and toilet-accessible activities were seen to help; resident conflict and cognitive impairment worsened distress.
• PTOTRNOther2026The Moderating Effect of Physical Activity on the Association Between Cognitive Function and Fear of Falling in Low-Income Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Research in gerontological nursingCognitive function was not linked to fear of falling in low-income community-dwelling older adults without measured cognitive impairment, and physical activity did not appear to change this link. More sitting time was linked to more fear; more moderate-to-vigorous activity was linked to less fear.
• OTRNSurvey2026Associations Among Health Literacy, Decision Self-Efficacy, and Decisional Conflict in Stroke Survivor-Caregiver Dyads.The journal of nursing research : JNRAmong 305 stroke survivor and caregiver pairs, survivors with higher health literacy and decision confidence reported less decisional conflict. Caregiver confidence was part of a pathway to less survivor conflict but associated with more caregiver conflict. This is association, not proof that training helps.
• OTSurvey2026Understanding Multi-Victimization: Identifying Socioecological Supports Among Adolescents.The Journal of school healthTransgender and gender-diverse students reported more victimization and less family, peer, food, and housing support than cisgender peers. Across all students, more support was linked to fewer victimization types, but the study cannot show support caused it.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026The Neglected Care Burden and Unmet Needs of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Survivors. A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesCaregivers of stroke survivors described heavy new roles, coordination and personal care, and feeling left without clear stroke information. They valued continuity with home physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2026Patient-Driven Grouping Model and Home Health Use Among Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHome health visits and episode length fell after PDGM, especially for beneficiaries with dementia. Therapy visits drove much of the decline, and the largest reductions appeared in advanced dementia. This is service use, not proof of harm.
• OTSystematic Review2026Occupational Therapy Services Provided to Adults Diagnosed With Kidney Disease: A Scoping Review.Journal of renal careAcross 23 studies, occupational therapy services for adults with kidney disease were mostly hospital-based and focused on fatigue, education, and daily tasks, but evidence was sparse and protocols lacking.
• PTOTRNRCT2026A secondary analysis of how changes in pain interference relate to changes in health-related quality of life and physical function in heart failure.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careIn adults with heart failure, worsening pain interference tended to track with worsening physical function and quality of life over time. The links were modest and observational, so they do not prove pain treatment improves either outcome.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Rebuilding life after breast cancer treatment among Korean breast cancer survivors: an integrative review.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)Korean breast cancer survivors reported persistent pain, sleep disturbance, decreased muscle strength, reduced exercise tolerance and lymphedema after treatment, plus body-image distress, fear of recurrence and return-to-work struggles. Exercise, diet, self-management and surveillance support are framed as possible nursing targets, not proven effects.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2026Applying the Brief Interview for Mental Status in a Diverse Home Health Patient Population.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMost home health patients score as cognitively intact on the BIMS, but non-English speakers and minority patients score lower regardless of actual ability. This tool misses mild impairment and should not be used alone to judge a patient's cognition.
• OTRNQualitative2026Self-care in stroke rehabilitation: a qualitative study.Revista brasileira de enfermagemCaregivers and rehabilitation staff said stroke survivors need clear teaching before going home, but hospital time is short. They described scarce equipment, poor team communication and caregiver burden as barriers to self-care.
• OTQualitative2026Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in the Farming Community. A Preliminary Qualitative Study of Carers' Perceptions of Risks and Barriers to Care.The Australian journal of rural healthSeven informal carers of farmers with dementia described geographic isolation, farm hazards, family strain, delayed government support and thin local services as barriers. Some also valued staying on the familiar farm.
• OTQualitative2026Challenges in Transitional Phases of Foster Care for Older Adults: Perspectives of Foster Caregivers.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesFoster caregivers said some older adults arrived needing two helpers to move, needing toileting or eating support, or having night restlessness. These needs made home placements unsuitable. They wanted a functional assessment before admission to prevent strain.
• PTOTQualitative2026Iranian Older Adults' Experiences of the Age-friendliness of Kashan City: A Qualitative Content Analysis Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyOlder adults in Kashan described unsafe sidewalks, steep ramps, high bus steps, poor seating, dismissive staff and inaccessible technology as barriers to mobility, participation and independence. They felt forgotten.
• OTQualitative2026Multidisciplinary team's experiences caring for older adults in the Therapeutic Residential Service.Revista brasileira de enfermagemStaff caring for older adults in therapeutic housing described rewarding personal bonds but also fear, burnout and barriers to individual plans from short staffing, money and aging; they wanted home-like autonomy support.
• OTCohort2026School Readiness, Learning Challenges, and Lifestyle Changes Among Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic.The Journal of school healthChildren with early school readiness vulnerability had more pandemic learning difficulties and lower teacher-rated achievement two years later, but not more negative lifestyle changes; watch learning difficulties, not lifestyle alone.
• OTSLPRNQualitative2026Head and Neck Cancer Care Experiences of First Nations Australians: Insights From Patients and Carers.The Australian journal of rural healthFirst Nations patients with head and neck cancer and their carers said they needed coordinated appointments, plain explanations, respect for men's and women's business, and support at home. Family advocacy and connection to culture helped them get through care.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026Caregivers' Perceptions of End-of-Life Care in Brazil: A Qualitative Systematic Review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemBrazilian end-of-life caregivers valued easy team access, family support, and clear talk about death. They also reported overload, financial strain, distrust of palliative care, and reliance on faith and resilience.
• OTSystematic Review2026Cumulative Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and School Outcomes During Adolescence: A Scoping Review.The Journal of school healthIn 24 US studies, 22 found cumulative adverse childhood experiences linked with poorer adolescent school engagement, attendance, grades, suspension and dropout. This is association evidence, not proof that any intervention improves these outcomes.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026Views on Everyday Life and Reflections on Future Death and Dying Among Older Persons Residing in Nursing Homes: A Meta-Ethnographic Synthesis.International journal of older people nursingNursing home residents described everyday life as loss of home, body, routines and relationships, while actively trying to maintain identity and dignity. They saw death as close, valued choices and social contact, and many wanted a painless death surrounded by relatives.
• OTRNOther2026Recovery-Oriented Care Planning in Mental Healthcare Services: A Combined Concept Analysis and Scoping Review.International journal of mental health nursingRecovery-oriented mental health care planning was described as a flexible, person-led conversation, not a form. It centred the person's strengths, goals and supports, with clinicians acting as facilitators rather than directors.
• OTSurvey2026Associated factors of successful aging among community-dwelling older adults in a rural area of Indonesia: a cross-sectional study.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PAmong 104 rural Indonesian older adults, those still working and those living 1 to 5 km from a health facility were associated with higher successful aging scores. Age, education, income, chronic disease, spouse satisfaction and community involvement were not.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026Community-Dwelling Older Adults' Experience With Activity Trackers: Effects of Monitoring Physical Activity.Journal of gerontological nursingOlder adults in a community exercise program said tracking with a Fitbit helped them set goals, feel more active, manage fear of falling, and describe changes in memory, social connection, and function. These were self-reported experiences, not proof the tracker caused change.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Distinct Health-Related Quality of Life Recovery Trajectories Among ICU Survivors: A Multicentre Prospective Cohort Study Using the EQ-5D-5L.Nursing in critical careTwo years after ICU discharge, 58.3% of survivors stayed near normal quality of life, 31.7% remained suboptimal and 10.0% stayed persistently low. Mobility and pain problems persisted in poorer groups; older age, delirium, multimorbidity and facility discharge were associated with poorer recovery.
• OTRNSurvey2026Understanding Differences in Resident Loneliness/Isolation Across US Nursing Homes: A Multilevel Analysis of MDS 3.0 Data.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOne in five long-stay nursing home residents reported feeling lonely or isolated. Much of the variation was between nursing homes, not counties. Residents with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, hearing or vision impairment, or low CNA care were more likely to report it.
• OTRNCohort2026Impact of Cognitive Status at Skilled Nursing Facility Admission on Days Spent at Home Over the Year Following Traumatic Brain Injury Among Older Adults.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAmong older adults with traumatic brain injury discharged to skilled nursing, lower brief cognitive screen scores at admission were linked with fewer days at home over the next year. Severe impairment had the lowest days at home.