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 197 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTCohort2026Recruitment of the central nervous system in different hand tasks in patients with hand dysfunction after stroke based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy: an exploratory study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn 30 stroke patients, affected-hand grasping activated more brain regions and stronger connectivity than bilateral hand-cranking. This suggests grasping demands greater motor planning and cognitive resources, though small sample size limits clinical application.
• PTOTCohort2026Comparison of the predictive value of upper limb somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potentials for functional recovery in subacute stroke: a retrospective study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn subacute stroke, normal somatosensory evoked potentials predicted better daily living independence, while motor evoked potentials predicted better hand dexterity. Neither test strongly predicted upper limb motor recovery. Baseline function and length of stay were the strongest predictors of discharge outcomes.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Interventions supporting the empowerment of parent carers of children with neurodisability and other long-term health conditions: A scoping review.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMost interventions for parent carers target the carer's own behaviour, not the health system. Few involve carers in design or report implementation details. Clinicians should look for existing programmes rather than creating new ones, but beware of poor descriptions.
• OTSLPSurvey2026Cultural influences on camouflaging and autistic burnout: Examining the experiences of Latino autistic young adults.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn 56 Latino autistic young adults, higher camouflaging was associated with higher adaptive functioning scores but also higher depression and anxiety symptoms. Autistic burnout did not significantly predict most outcomes.
• PTOTOther2026Translation, reliability, and validity of the trunk impairment scale in a Polish population after stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe Polish Trunk Impairment Scale is reliable for stroke patients with moderate-to-severe trunk issues, but it fails to distinguish those with mild impairment because 46% of participants hit the maximum score. Use it to track progress in patients who struggle with sitting balance, not to assess those who are nearly recovered.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Gait analysis reveals new outcome measures for monitoring disease progression in individuals with late-onset Pompe disease.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWearable sensors detected gait changes in Pompe disease that the standard six-minute walk test missed. Half of patients judged stable by the walk test showed progression on this new index, suggesting it may catch decline earlier in clinical monitoring.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Early Markers for Dementia in the Intellectual Disability Population: A Systematic Literature Review.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDMemory decline is a common early sign of dementia in Down syndrome, but attention, executive function, language, behaviour and gait also change early. There is no clear sequence for which symptom appears first, so broad baseline assessment is needed.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Longitudinal Developmental Outcomes of Children With Prelingual Single-Sided Deafness With and Without a Cochlear Implant and Recommendations for Follow-Up.Ear and hearingEarly cochlear implantation in children with single-sided deafness improved speech perception in noise and sound localization compared to non-implanted peers. However, it did not significantly improve cognitive scores or balance skills over the non-implanted group, though both implanted and non-implanted groups showed poorer balance than hearing children.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Intersection of Knowledge to Practice: A Purposeful Integration of Communication Partner Training in Aphasia With Adult Learning Principles for Healthcare Students.International journal of language & communication disordersFifteen healthcare students improved their aphasia knowledge and attitudes after a 3.5-hour training. Online modules alone increased gesture and verification use. The study lacks a control group for the full training and had high dropout, so changes may reflect practice or expectations rather than the programme itself.
• PTOTOther2026Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation improves postural stability under virtual reality perturbation by enhancing vestibular processing and multisensory integration.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn healthy adults, noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation reduced sway and muscle co-contraction during virtual reality visual conflict. It also lowered reported cybersickness. The brain increased vestibular processing activity while decreasing cognitive load, suggesting more efficient balance control under sensory mismatch.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Comparison of Upper Body Joint and Hand Motions in Eating Solid Foods With Chopsticks and Semisolid Foods With a Spoon in Healthy Males and Females: Observational Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesEating solid food with chopsticks requires less shoulder and neck movement but more elbow and forearm rotation than eating semisolid food with a spoon. Hand movements are slower and cover less distance with chopsticks. These kinematic differences help clinicians select appropriate utensils.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Gastroenterological disorders and hepatic disease in adults with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.Developmental medicine and child neurologyPrevalence of swallowing, reflux, and liver disease is higher in adults with cerebral palsy, especially those with intellectual disability or limited mobility. However, no validated screening tools exist, and intervention evidence is sparse, so routine screening cannot be recommended yet.
• PTOTOther2026Perceptions on design, operability and impact of a power-assist, novel caregiver assist transport chair: a mixed methods study.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyCaregivers testing a prototype power-assist transport chair found it easy to push and maneuver, but flagged the weight as a major barrier for lifting into vehicles. They requested design changes for smoother sensor response and better footplate clearance.
• PTOTCohort2026Hemodynamic responses and functional aerobic capacity in adults: insights from NASA method estimated VO₂.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesLonger tests like the 1-minute sit-to-stand and 2-minute step test caused higher heart rate and blood pressure, but only the sit-to-stand variants correlated with estimated aerobic capacity. The 2-minute step test showed no link to estimated fitness despite its higher physical demand.
• PTOTPilot2026Towards the implementation of home-based phantom limb pain training facilitated by a textile-electrode system: lessons learned from a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSix amputees found a textile electrode band for home phantom pain training easy to use and comfortable. Two completed the full 24-week program and reported less pain and better quality of life. Three others withdrew, with pain increases cited as a reason.
• OTOther2026Biomechanical assessment of grasping postures in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis when holding adaptive silverware.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesBuilt-up spoon handles reduced the finger bending needed to hold them. In 35 adults with rheumatoid arthritis, larger handles meant less bending, especially in the middle joints of the fingers, and 29 chose the 1.50 inch handle.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2026Safety and Benefits of Moderate to High Intensity Aerobic Exercise During the Subacute Phase of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationModerate to high intensity aerobic exercise after stroke did not improve peak oxygen capacity, self-selected walking speed or function. Walking distance and fast walking speed improved immediately after intervention, and severe cardiac or cerebral events did not differ.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Are we getting better at identifying and diagnosing neurodivergent girls and women? Insights into sex ratios and age of diagnosis from clinical population data in Scotland.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutism and ADHD sex ratios in Scotland have balanced since 2014, with more females diagnosed in adults. However, girls are still referred and diagnosed years later than boys. The delay begins before referral, suggesting parents and schools are missing early signs in females.
• PTOTSLPPilot2026Implementation of a knowledge translation strategy to promote early evidence-based rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyA 15-week toolkit and training program did not significantly change how often therapists used evidence-based practices or their confidence. However, therapists found the toolkit acceptable and easy to use, and perceived better mentorship support at their sites.
• OTOther2026Psychometric Evaluation of Sexual Knowledge and Self-Efficacy Components of the SPARKS Survey for Adults with Spina Bifida.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineThe SPARKS survey reliably measures how confident adults with spina bifida feel discussing sexual health with partners and providers. However, its knowledge section failed to capture differences because most participants answered basic questions correctly, so it cannot currently identify specific knowledge gaps.
• OTSLPOther2025FMR1 Premutation Carrier Mothers' Daily Negative Affect and Cortisol: Probing the Impacts of Stress Exposure, Coping Style, and CGG Repeats.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesMothers with high problem-focused coping kept stable negative affect and cortisol on days their child's behavior was worse than usual. This buffering did not occur for mothers with midrange CGG repeats, who showed no benefit from coping.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Exome sequencing in severe non-syndromic specific learning and language disorders in a French cohort.Molecular autismExome sequencing found a genetic diagnosis in 11 of 82 children with severe learning disorders. It also flagged 38 uncertain variants. No patient profile predicted who would get a diagnosis, and the study was too small to confirm if sequencing beats standard chromosome testing.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Long-Term Outcomes of Pediatric Cochlear Implantation for Single-Sided Deafness: A Western Australian Perspective.Ear and hearingLong-term cochlear implant use in children with single-sided deafness showed variable results. While some improved, the group saw no significant gain in localization or speech-in-noise scores. Earlier implantation was linked to better outcomes, but device use declined over time.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Long COVID and the Challenge of Long-Term Employment: An Ecological, Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Approach.Journal of occupational rehabilitationMost people with Long COVID who return to work lose their jobs within three years. Those who stay employed report poor work ability, while those who leave face severe financial toxicity. Fluctuating symptoms and lack of accommodations, not just initial severity, drive this failure.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Patient-Perceived Factors Influencing Physical Activity Sensor Use in Stroke Prevention and Rehabilitation: Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies Using Thematic Synthesis.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesPatients often stop using activity trackers because devices feel designed for younger people and fail to capture relevant movements like slow walking. Engagement improves when therapists help set realistic goals and interpret data, turning raw steps into actionable health insights.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Gait analysis methods in people with spinal cord injury: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationGait analysis in walking people with spinal cord injury relies mostly on speed and joint angles, not forces or muscle activity. Wearable sensors are gaining ground, but no standard protocol exists, so you cannot compare scores between clinics.
• PTOTOther2026Assessment of dynamic stability and identification of key tasks, inertial sensors, and parameters in patients with bilateral and unilateral vestibulopathy: investigation in a semi-standardized environment.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationPatients with bilateral or unilateral vestibulopathy differed from healthy controls on several daily tasks, especially uneven ground, inclined plane, and walking in the dark. Foot sensors showed the largest differences.
• PTOTSLPOther2026AI-powered biomechanical modeling for ACL-reconstructed knees: predicting knee joint contact forces via computer vision and deep learning.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA new AI model can estimate knee joint forces in ACL-reconstructed patients using just two smartphone cameras. It achieved high accuracy across walking, running, and stair descent, potentially allowing clinic-based monitoring without expensive lab equipment.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026Families' and therapists' experience of a telehealth programme for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy during the COVID-19 pandemic.Developmental medicine and child neurologyFamilies and therapists first feared remote care, then valued weekly video review of home goals and low-cost adaptations. They described stronger partnership and family confidence, while internet, devices, and caregiver strain remained challenges.
• OTSystematic Review2026The long-term domiciliary oxygen therapy experience and needs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative meta-synthesis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPatients using home oxygen for COPD described easier breathing, sleep and daily tasks, but also dry nose, nosebleeds, dizziness, noisy heavy equipment, cost worries and fear. They wanted practical fixes and clear support.
• OTSLPCohort2025How Did the COVID-19 Restrictions Change the Digital Contact of People With Intellectual Disabilities? A Longitudinal Multi-Method Study in Sheltered Home Care Facilities.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDCare records showed a 40% rise in documented digital contact during COVID restrictions, but family surveys reported no change in actual contact frequency. Staff sentiment toward digital tools improved significantly, yet families saw contact levels remain stable throughout the pandemic.
• OTQualitative2025'I Don't Think They've Ever Seen People Like Me Do Jobs Like This': Exploring Hope Within Strengths-Based Employment Services for People With Disability.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDEmployees with intellectual disabilities and their colleagues described strengths-based hiring as working because it treats them as valuable resources, not charity. Participants reported that seeing colleagues exceed expectations shifted their assumptions about disability, fostering confidence and inclusive workplace cultures.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Impact of Pneumonia on Rehabilitation Outcomes: A Large Observational Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationStroke patients who developed pneumonia had worse rehabilitation outcomes than those who did not. They had higher mortality, longer hospital stays, and a greater risk of poor functional recovery at 3 and 6 months, with hospital-acquired pneumonia showing a stronger long-term impact than early-onset pneumonia.
• OTSLPPilot2026The Schools Unified in Neurodiversity Collaborative: Co-designing a program to enhance educator knowledge and efficacy supporting children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn one U.S. district, 192 educators reported higher neurodiversity knowledge and confidence after a 6-hour co-designed training. They also found the tools feasible. No child outcomes were measured.
• PTOTNarrative Review2026Microscopic and molecular aspects of skeletal muscle alterations in cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMuscle biopsies in cerebral palsy consistently show high variability in fibre size, longer sarcomeres, increased collagen, and reduced capillary density. Average fibre size and fibre type shifts are inconsistent across studies. Treatment effects on these microstructures remain largely uncharacterized.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Factors associated with social participation among children with fragile X syndrome.Disability and health journalMost children with fragile X syndrome joined at least one social activity, but participation dropped for those with severe intellectual disability or emotional dysregulation. Caregivers cited behavioral issues, time constraints, and lack of community resources as the biggest barriers.
• OTOther2026Reduced Susceptibility to the Dunning-Kruger Effect in Autistic Employees.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic employees overestimated their reasoning skills less than non-autistic peers, especially when performing poorly. They were more accurate at judging their own competence on analytic tasks. This suggests autistic staff may offer more realistic self-assessments, though results depend on the specific task and population.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2026Evidence and alternatives to the routine use of cuffed tracheostomy tubes in spontaneously breathing patients with neurological disorders.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesRoutine cuff inflation in spontaneously breathing neurological patients lacks evidence for benefit and risks tracheal damage. Early deflation, cuffless tubes, or fitting fenestrated tubes improves cough, swallowing, and voice. Assess readiness for deflation rather than keeping cuffs inflated by default.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026The effectiveness of prehabilitation on post-operative recovery from lumbar spinal stenosis surgery - A systematic review and intervention component analysis.Clinical rehabilitationAcross four trial interventions analysed, prehabilitation before surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis and related conditions improved some outcomes, mainly before surgery. Twelve of 28 outcomes showed no difference, and the evidence is too limited to change routine practice.
• PTOTCase Report2026A self-made suspension trainer as a tool for core muscle activation and motivation in a girl with cognitive and motor impairments: a case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA therapist-built rope and stick trainer helped one 13-year-old girl with severe impairments increase core exercise repetitions from 1–2 to 10–15. The caregiver reported better posture and willingness to participate, but no standardized measures were used.
• OTCase Series2026Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Upper Extremity Rehabilitation for Chronic Stroke: Real-World Implementation and Outcomes.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn a case series of 35 chronic stroke patients, those receiving paired VNS therapy with occupational therapy showed an average 10.8-point improvement on upper extremity motor scores. Most exceeded the minimal clinically important difference. However, without a control group, it is unclear if the VNS device or the intensive therapy drove these gains.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of The Cancer Dyspnoea Scale - CDS into Brazilian Portuguese.CoDASA Brazilian Portuguese version of the Cancer Dyspnoea Scale is now available. Forty head and neck cancer patients completed it without difficulty, and no one needed the "not applicable" option. The wording was adjusted after patients found "very much" confusing.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Association Between Exposure to Smartphones and Tablets and Motor Development in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review.Child: care, health and developmentEvidence linking smartphone and tablet use to motor development in young children is mixed and inconclusive. Four studies found negative associations, while three found positive ones. Most results were weak or non-significant, and the cross-sectional design prevents causal conclusions.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2025Autism and the Menopause Transition: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.Autism in adulthoodAutistic people assigned female at birth described menopause as harder to understand and manage, with sensory overload, fatigue, sleep problems, thinking and memory changes, and work strain. Online peer support helped, while healthcare often felt dismissive or unsafe.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Inclusive Housing Environments for People With Intellectual Disabilities: Systematic Review of Characteristics and Influencing Factors.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDA systematic review of 73 studies identifies five environmental dimensions for inclusive housing: physical, social, natural, symbolic, and supportive. It highlights that structural accessibility alone is insufficient, emphasizing the need for social inclusion, personal autonomy, and meaningful community connections.
• PTOTCohort2026Participation, environment, and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy and physical disabilities.Developmental medicine and child neurologyCommunity support, not just physical ability, strongly predicted quality of life in children with cerebral palsy. Parents reported significant barriers and a high desire for change. Clinicians should prioritize community integration and resource navigation alongside physical therapy.
• OTRCT2026Usability and effectiveness of a novel bilateral upper limb training device for stroke patients with hemiparesis: a pilot randomized controlled study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTraining with the device plus occupational therapy did not improve upper limb scores more than conventional bilateral training plus occupational therapy. Both groups improved similarly, and usability was acceptable.
• PTOTCohort2026Motor Function Profiling and Its Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life in Childhood Stroke Survivors.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationChildhood stroke survivors were below test norms in manual coordination and strength/agility, which were linked with lower parent-reported quality of life and function. Motor daily skills were largely preserved; cognitive daily skills were not.
• OTSLPSurvey2026Exploring auditory perception experiences in daily situations in autistic adults.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults, whether clinically diagnosed or self-identifying, reported significantly more difficulty understanding speech in daily life compared to non-autistic adults. These speech difficulties were worse than challenges with locating sounds or judging sound quality, suggesting a specific barrier to communication that standard hearing tests may miss.
• PTOTCohort2026Stroke Recovery Program Incorporating Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Provides Sustained Improvement of Function: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationStroke survivors who added a 36-session aerobic exercise and risk factor education program to prescribed physical, occupational and speech therapy showed higher mobility and daily activity scores at 1 year. Cognitive scores did not differ significantly.