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 2 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRNSystematic Review2018Fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults: A scoping review to identify effective evidence-based interventions.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Exercise, tai chi, cognitive behavior therapy and multi-component programs reduced fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults in 26 of 45 studies, but no intervention was clearly best.
• OTPilot2018The impact of peer mentor communication with older adults on depressive symptoms and working alliance: A pilot study.Patient education and counselingPeer mentors used more client-centered talk over time, and this was associated with stronger working alliance and lower depression scores. Medical information and specific counseling skills were associated with worse depression. The study was correlational and small.
• PTOTRNQualitative2018Stakeholders' Perceptions Sought to Inform the Development of a Low-Cost Mobile Robot for Older Adults: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.Clinical nursing researchOlder adults in senior housing wanted to do daily self-care and household tasks themselves, keep active, and stay connected to family and friends. Staff visits did not replace that need. Safety checks and reminders mattered.
• OTRNQualitative2018Making sense of frailty: An ethnographic study of the experience of older people living with complex health problems.International journal of older people nursingTen frail older people described fluctuating health and fear of falling, yet kept going by adjusting routines, pacing tasks and dropping non-essential ones. Their accounts show daily living can become precarious even when impairment is known.
• PTOTRNOther2018Executive function: Responses to aerobic exercise in Alzheimer's disease.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Six months of supervised cycling did not significantly improve executive function in 28 older adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Scores declined non-significantly. EXIT-25, BDS, and Stroop tracked change better than Trail Making Test and COWAT.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2018Beck Depression Inventory-II: Factor Analyses with Three Groups of Midlife Women of African Descent in the Midwest, the South, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.Issues in mental health nursingThe BDI-II depression screen works as a two-part measure for midlife women of African descent, separating cognitive symptoms like guilt from physical ones like fatigue. Somatic complaints should prompt further exploration for depression in this population.
• OTRNQualitative2017A qualitative study of women's experiences of living with COPD.Nursing openWomen with COPD described home life as limited by breathlessness, housework and appearance, yet they found good moments through pacing, assistive devices and support. They wanted a known contact person and education that did not feel like moralizing.
• PTOTRNSurvey2017Prevalence of household falls in long-lived adults and association with extrinsic factors.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn adults aged 80 or older, 46.9% reported a fall in the past year. Uneven floors, steps, pets at the entrance, missing anti-slip rugs and bathroom grab bars were associated with falls.
• OTRNSurvey2017Self-care competence in the administration of insulin in older people aged 70 or over1.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemOlder adults who self-administered insulin often skipped handwashing, air injection and safe sharp disposal. Competence went with regular glucose checks and proper skin pinching, and was lower among retired participants.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2017Patients' Outcomes After Acute Respiratory Failure: A Qualitative Study With the PROMIS Framework.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesAfter acute respiratory failure, survivors described fatigue, breathlessness, fear of illness, memory and word-finding difficulty, and changed work and relationships. Some reported gratitude and closer relationships, while others felt isolated or wished they had died.
• OTCohort2018Joint Trajectories of Cognition and Frailty and Associated Burden of Patient-Reported Outcomes.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults followed over 11 years fell into four cognition-frailty paths. The path with both cognitive decline and worsening frailty had the highest nursing home and disability burden, while hospitalization did not track it as clearly.
• PTOTRNOther2018Self-efficacy Mediates the Relationship Between Motivation and Physical Activity in Patients With Heart Failure.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingSelf-efficacy, not motivation, predicted physical activity in heart failure patients. High motivation did not increase activity when self-efficacy was low. Clinicians should assess and address barriers to exercise to build confidence, rather than only emphasizing the benefits of being active.
• OTRNSurvey2018Delivering Person-Centered Care: Important Preferences for Recipients of Long-term Services and Supports.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults in nursing homes and home care rated everyday choices as important, especially regular family and friend contact. Staff should ask about eating, bathing, privacy, belongings, and who joins care discussions rather than assume routines.
• PTOTRNCohort2017Examining the Effects of Age on Health Outcomes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Results From the Genetic Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Study and Evaluation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints Cohorts.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults with COPD reported better quality of life despite worse lung function. Frequent exacerbations were lower after accounting for other factors, but severe exacerbation findings differed.
• OTRNSystematic Review2017Psychological aspects of patients with intestinal stoma: integrative review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemPatients with intestinal stomas commonly reported fear, body-image concerns, social and sexual difficulties, and poorer early quality of life. Better adjustment was linked to stoma-care knowledge, social support, and follow-up after discharge.
• PTOTRNRCT2018Sources and Types of Social Support for Physical Activity Perceived by Fifth to Eighth Grade Girls.Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of NursingGirls with three sources of support for activity moved more than those with fewer. Mothers were the most common source overall, but support from fathers dropped as girls matured. Practical help like transport and doing activity together linked to more movement.
• PTOTRNCohort2018Octogenarians' post-acute care use after cardiac valve surgery and recovery: clinical implications.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Most Medicare patients aged 80 and older used post-acute care after cardiac valve surgery: 68%. Skilled nursing and home health were common; inpatient rehabilitation was rare. Patients and families may need early planning for discharge.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2018Functional Status Is Associated With 30-Day Potentially Preventable Readmissions Following Skilled Nursing Facility Discharge Among Medicare Beneficiaries.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationPatients discharged from skilled nursing facilities with greater dependence in self-care, mobility, or cognition had higher odds of 30-day potentially preventable readmissions. Mobility and self-care dependence showed stronger associations than severe cognitive impairment alone.
• OTSLPSurvey2018Taste, choice and timing: Investigating resident and carer preferences for meals in aged care homes.Nursing & health sciencesResidents and family members said they preferred excellent-tasting food, choice over what to eat, and set mealtimes. They said they would pay $24 a week for excellent taste. Flexible mealtimes were not preferred.
• PTOTRNOther2018Hearing loss and tinnitus in survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing SocietyCancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy who also reported hearing loss and tinnitus had worse balance, pain interference, mood, and quality of life than those with neuropathy alone, but perceived stress did not differ.
• OTSLPQualitative2018"It's a Long-Term Process": Description of Daily Family Life When a Child Has a Feeding Disorder.Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & PractitionersParents of children with feeding disorders described daily life as dictated by the need to feed. They reported extreme time demands, anxiety, and social isolation because their children could not eat outside the home or be fed by others. Care was experienced as reactive and uncoordinated.
• PTOTCohort2018Muscle Strength and Functional Limitations: Preserving Function in Older Mexican Americans.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationStronger handgrip was linked to less functional loss over two years in older Mexican Americans. Each 10-kg higher grip was associated with 5% and 8% lower odds of losing instrumental tasks and developing new disability. It does not prove strength training prevents decline.
• OTRNQualitative2018Coming of Age With Cancer: Physical, Social, and Financial Barriers to Independence Among Emerging Adult Survivors.Oncology nursing forumEighteen young adults after HCT felt stuck between sick and well. Health setbacks made them depend on caregivers, strained friendships and partners, and made insurance and money feel like threats to independence.
• OTSurvey2018Gender Expression, Violence, and Bullying Victimization: Findings From Probability Samples of High School Students in 4 US School Districts.The Journal of school healthStudents perceived as more gender nonconforming reported more bullying, missing school because they felt unsafe, fighting, and weapon threats or injury. Risk patterns varied by sex, and some violence risks were also higher among highly gender conforming students.
• OTNarrative Review2018Parents' Executive Functioning and Involvement in Their Child's Education: An Integrated Literature Review.The Journal of school healthParental executive function may affect school involvement through working memory, planning, inhibition, and flexibility. Sleep, stress, mood, and age can change it. The review proposes brief, concrete, routine, stepwise school communication supports.
• PTOTRNQualitative2018Patients' experiences of the transcatheter aortic valve implantation trajectory: A grounded theory study.Nursing openPatients recovering from TAVI described a journey between fear, weakness and hope. They valued clear conversations, trust in clinicians, and support that preserved independence while preparing them for slow recovery.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2018Cognitive-Based Interventions to Improve Mobility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationCognitive training improved walking speed when participants performed a second task, such as talking or counting. The effect was small and did not reach significance for normal walking. Shorter training sessions may produce better results than longer ones.
• PTOTSLPRNSurvey2018Burden, resilience and coping in caregivers of patients with interstitial lung disease.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careCaregivers of patients with interstitial lung disease report significantly lower mental quality of life than the general population, driven by emotional strain. Those caring for patients on oxygen report higher burden and worse physical health. Caregivers need inclusion in visits, practical home advice, and specific support groups.
• PTOTRNQualitative2018Care in Nursing Facilities after Palliative Consult.Journal of hospice and palliative nursing : JHPN : the official journal of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses AssociationHospital palliative care goals were often missing when 12 patients entered nursing homes. Families expected improvement, and therapy was ordered despite poor prognosis.
• PTOTOther2018Identifying Barriers to Nurse-Facilitated Patient Mobility in the Intensive Care Unit.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesNurses and a technician had little free time; 79% of observed minutes were not possible for mobility, mostly documentation and provider communication. Potential mobility appeared during patient care and downtime.
• PTOTRNQualitative2018Home discharge following critical illness: A qualitative analysis of family caregiver experience.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careFamily caregivers of ICU survivors felt overwhelmed and unprepared at home discharge, then stayed vigilant as emotional needs continued after physical care needs were mentioned less. They often neglected their own health despite ICU staff advice.
• PTOTRNRCT2018Symptoms Associated With Chronic Venous Disease in Response to a Cooling Treatment Compared to Placebo: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses SocietyCooling cuffs eased throbbing and pain in chronic venous disease. Half of cooling users saw throbbing improve versus 30% of placebo users. Both groups improved pain similarly, but fewer cooling users reported worsening. This self-care addition may help manage bothersome leg symptoms.
• OTPilot2018Microclimate evaluation of strap-based wheelchair seating systems for persons with spinal cord injury: A pilot study.Journal of tissue viabilityStrap-based wheelchair seats for Veterans with spinal cord injury did not differ from usual seats at the skin-seat interface, but thermal images showed solid strap seats cooled faster after use.
• OTRNQualitative2019Open Wounds and Healed Scars: A Qualitative Study of Elderly Women's Experiences With Breast Cancer.Cancer nursingMany older women tried to continue daily life after breast cancer, but fatigue, arm problems, scars, comorbid illness and limited support weighed on them. They valued nurses who had time to explain and attend to everyday concerns.
• OTRNQualitative2018Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy Experienced by Individuals With Cirrhosis: A Qualitative Interview Study.Gastroenterology nursing : the official journal of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and AssociatesEight cirrhosis patients described overt hepatic encephalopathy as terrifying and repeatedly disruptive: they lost memory, communication, independence, and social participation, then feared recurrence and felt like burdens. Nurses and OTs should expect anxiety, dependency, and isolation after episodes.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2018The Initiation of Rehabilitation Therapies and Observed Outcomes in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation NursesChildren with traumatic brain injury received rehabilitation services at different times by injury severity, and most had no delay on a speech pathology evaluation at follow-up. The study did not show that earlier or more frequent therapy improved recovery.
• OTRNQualitative2019Mothering With Advanced Ovarian Cancer: "You've Got to Find That Little Thing That's Going to Make You Strong".Cancer nursingNine mothers with ovarian cancer described moving from diagnosis to patient to mothering with cancer. Fatigue, pain and emotions limited childcare, while children helped them keep going, ask for help, and set boundaries.
• PTOTRNOther2018Physical Activity and Function in Assisted Living Residents.Western journal of nursing researchAssisted living residents averaged 20.6 sedentary hours daily, with 42 minutes of moderate activity. A wrist monitor was feasible, and activity did not separate residents who had fallen from those who had not.
• OTRNQualitative2019Health-Related Quality of Life and Personal Life Goals of Adults With Sickle Cell Disease After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.Western journal of nursing researchAdults after stem cell transplant for sickle cell disease often saw success as partial. Pain relief mattered, but ongoing anti-rejection medication and bone or joint pain were linked to quality of life and goals.
• OTRNSystematic Review2018Sleep disruption and quality of life in persons with dementia: A state-of-the-art review.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)In older adults with dementia, poor sleep was linked to worse physical function, more behavioral symptoms, more depression and apathy, and worse cognition. Sleep assessment may help clinicians understand quality-of-life problems.
• OTSurvey2018What would help low-income families? Results from a North American survey of 2-1-1 helpline professionals.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityHelpline staff identified parenting, child health, and child care as top needs for low-income families. While they felt comfortable screening for these, they reported inadequate community resources for child care and serious child problems, highlighting a gap between need and available support.
• PTOTRNQualitative2019"A body in transformation"-An empirical phenomenological study about fear-avoidance beliefs towards physical activity among persons experiencing moderate-to-severe rheumatic pain.Journal of clinical nursingFear of more pain, fatigue or being alone made people with moderate-to-severe rheumatic pain avoid physical activity. Some stayed active by listening to their body, planning recovery, and finding meaning in social roles.
• OTOther2018Rationale and Design of a Novel Method to Assess the Usability of Body-Worn Absorbent Incontinence Care Products by Caregivers.Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses SocietyA caregiver usability method scored pull-up products highest for standing changes (90%) and T-shaped briefs highest for lying changes (81%). It used simulated patients and measured product changes, not real-patient outcomes.
• PTOTRNCohort2018Examining age-related differences in functional domain impairment following traumatic brain injury.International journal of older people nursingOlder adults after mild-moderate traumatic brain injury had worse mobility, travel, home maintenance and overall function for a year. Better pre-injury physical health was linked to better function; better pre-injury mental health was sometimes linked to worse function in older adults.
• PTOTCohort2018Patient-Reported Outcomes in Functioning Following Nursing Home or Inpatient Rehabilitation.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAmong older Medicare beneficiaries who reported nursing home or inpatient rehabilitation, 33.4% said their functioning did not improve. Lower education, difficulty with complex daily tasks, less than 1 month of total rehab, and no outpatient rehab were linked to reporting no improvement.
• PTOTPilot2018The Influence of Active Gaming on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Black and Hispanic Youth.The Journal of school healthAdolescents in a summer camp playing Wii Fit for 30 minutes weekly for six weeks showed increased sit-ups, step-ups, and self-efficacy. However, without a control group, it is impossible to know if the games caused these changes or if natural growth or other camp activities did.
• OTPilot2019Feasibility of DAIly NURSE: A nursing intervention to change nursing staff behaviour towards encouraging residents' daily activities and independence in the nursing home.Journal of clinical nursingNursing home staff found a training, coaching and policy intervention feasible, especially a breakfast video showing staff doing tasks residents could do. It may help staff notice and reduce unnecessary help; it does not show residents became more independent.
• OTOther2018The Relationship Between Life Purpose With Depression and Disability in Acute Low Back Pain Patients.Orthopedic nursingHigher life purpose was linked to fewer depressive symptoms in 42 adults with recent low back pain. It was not linked to activity limitations after accounting for age, sex and work.
• PTOTSLPCohort2019Rehabilitation Therapy for Nursing Home Residents at the End-of-Life.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationTherapy for nursing home residents in their last month of life became more common and more intense, with much of it delivered very close to death. The study cannot tell you whether physical, occupational, or speech therapy helped or harmed.
• OTSurvey2019Occupational therapy practice in oncology care: Results from a survey.Nursing & health sciencesOccupational therapists in oncology settings frequently treat physical impairments but often cannot bill directly for psychosocial care like emotional support or lifestyle management. Most reported barriers such as time constraints and insurance limitations, which restrict their ability to provide comprehensive holistic care.