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 202 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTOther2025Prevalence and association of sarcopenic obesity with locomotive syndrome based on the 2024 Consensus Statement of the Japanese Working Group on Sarcopenic Obesity in community-dwelling Japanese women.Journal of physical therapy scienceCommunity-dwelling Japanese women classified with sarcopenic obesity showed the highest prevalence of locomotive syndrome, ranging from 81% to 100%. They also recorded the lowest two-step test values, indicating the most severe decline in mobility compared to normal, obese, or sarcopenic groups alone.
• PTOTCohort2026Examining the Impact of Perceived and Objective Cognitive Function on Social Participation in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn adults with MS who have average cognitive test scores, how they perceive their own cognitive function strongly predicts social participation. Objective cognitive test results showed only weak associations, while walking ability was the strongest predictor.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Progressive relaxation exercises: association with dyspnea, anxiety, and oxygen saturation among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn 60 patients with mild to moderate COPD, one month of daily progressive relaxation exercises was associated with a shift from severe to mild dyspnea and moderate to mild anxiety. These changes persisted at three months. Without a control group, these shifts may reflect natural fluctuation rather than the exercises themselves.
• OTOther2026Support Needs and Available Resources for School-Aged Siblings of Children With Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Study.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDSchool-aged siblings of children with disabilities want emotional support, practical solutions to sibling aggression, and peer contact, primarily from parents. They did not view teachers as support sources. Available online resources are fragmented, mostly generic, and rarely address these specific needs.
• OTSLPOther2026Flow Characteristics of Barium Thickened Liquids during Swallowing in Healthy Adults.DysphagiaIn healthy adults, thicker barium liquids kept the bolus in the mouth at first swallow, while thin liquids often reached the throat. Gum-based thickeners did not consistently change transit times compared with starch-based.
• OTSLPQualitative2026Eliciting the views of autistic adolescents attending specialist schools on what friendships mean to them.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adolescents with complex communication needs described friendships as connections driven by strong emotions, active play with chosen peers, and sometimes close ties to familiar adults. They also asked for space from friends in structured settings.
• PTOTCohort2025The 30-Second Roll to Quadruped Test: Linking Muscle Strength and Endurance with Rolling.International journal of sports physical therapyHealthy young adults who rolled more times in 30 seconds had greater upper and lower body strength. Those using a pivot strategy were stronger, while those relying on a prone-to-quadruped strategy had lower strength and activity levels. Core endurance did not correlate with rolling performance.
• PTOTPilot2026Usability, Acceptability, and Feasibility of a Personalized Adaptive Mirror Therapy for Upper-Limb Poststroke Rehabilitation Using Immersive Virtual Reality and Myoelectric Control: Single-Arm Pre-Post Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAdaptive VR mirror therapy with muscle-signal control and therapist supervision was rated usable and motivating by people with chronic stroke, including severe arm weakness. Satisfaction was higher at the end than midway, but severely impaired patients reported more workload. It shows feasibility, not recovery.
• PTOTCohort2026Evolution of goal setting and attainment over repeated cycles of botulinum toxin A for upper limb spasticity in real-life clinical practice: longitudinal analyses from the observational ULIS-III cohort study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn patients receiving repeated botulinum toxin A for upper limb spasticity, goal attainment remained stable over four cycles. Using injection guidance in at least three cycles nearly doubled the odds of meeting goals compared with fewer guided injections.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2026Microstate permutation complexity of EEG signals distinguishes minimally conscious state plus from minimally conscious state minus.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA new EEG measure called MS-PLZC better distinguishes two levels of minimally conscious state than existing methods. It achieved 73% accuracy in separating MCS+ from MCS-, offering a more precise bedside tool for assessing consciousness recovery.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Psychosocial outcomes of medical specialty camps for children with physical disabilities.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineAcross 33 studies, medical specialty camps for children with physical disabilities consistently improved self-esteem, social connection, and belonging. Qualitative data showed campers felt safe and accepted, though long-term effects often faded without follow-up programs or local resources.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Exoskeleton frontal and sagittal plane hip torque improves propulsion and transient stability during walking in individuals with hemiparesis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn eight people with hemiparesis, a hip exoskeleton widened step width and improved stability markers as abduction torque increased. Sagittal-plane assistance boosted non-paretic propulsion but not paretic. These immediate mechanical changes need testing in real-world falls and walking speed.
• PTOTRCT2026Sensory and cortical biomarkers unveil pain modulation mechanisms induced by targeted multisensory neurostimulation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFour days of VR synchronized with foot nerve stimulation cut neuropathic pain scores from 33 to 9 on a 100-point scale in 10 patients. VR alone did nothing. The combination also improved foot sensation and brain wave markers of pain.
• PTOTNarrative Review2026Missed opportunities in post-total knee arthroplasty rehabilitation in Indonesia: a narrative review of insurance-driven delays in functional recovery.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIndonesia’s national insurance caps physiotherapy at two sessions weekly and requires administrative steps that delay start-up. This prevents patients from receiving the early, intensive rehabilitation needed to regain knee motion and strength after total knee replacement.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2026Upper limb motor recovery using a digital health-driven IoT rehabilitation system: a case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA stroke patient with high baseline independence used a digital IoT system for two weeks. His arm movement quality improved slightly, and he stayed engaged. Because he started so capable, the system could not show further gains in how often he used his arm.
• PTOTRCT2026Effect of an ERAS-based pulmonary rehabilitation exercise program on perioperative outcomes in liver resection patients: a prospective study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAfter liver resection, a nurse-led pulmonary rehabilitation bundle added to routine care improved lung function, daily activity, and walking, and reduced atelectasis and clots. Do not credit one component alone.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026On the correlation between training modalities and recovery stages in poststroke robotic rehabilitation of the upper limb: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobotic therapy choices should match the stroke recovery stage. Assistive modes with electrical stimulation worked best for chronic patients. Active-assistive modes with bio-signal triggers yielded greater gains for subacute patients. Evidence for the acute phase remains too limited to guide practice.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Relationship between lower limb muscle coordination and knee flexion angle during the swing phase of gait in post-stroke individuals.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke patients with fewer muscle coordination patterns had significantly lower knee flexion during the swing phase. These patients merged ankle and hip/knee control into one pattern, unlike those with more complex control who kept ankle push-off separate.
• PTOTCase Report2026Bionicohand: a collaborative, open-source myoelectric prosthetic hand designed with and for its user.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThe open-source Bionicohand performed comparably to the user's commercial prosthesis in most tasks, achieving second place in the Cybathlon. It offered better force modulation but slower movement speeds and lacked the ability to distinguish object hardness without feedback.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026The past, present and future of control architectures in lower-limb cable-driven robots for gait rehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMost evidence for cable-driven gait robots comes from short tests on healthy people, not patients. While advanced controls improved walking symmetry during use, the review found no proof these changes last after the device is removed or lead to better long-term function.
• PTOTCase Report2026Robotic exoskeleton rehabilitation in incomplete L2 paraplegia: functional gains contrast with metabolic challenges - a multidimensional case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOne young man with incomplete paraplegia gained function and bone density over six months of exoskeleton training. However, his visceral fat rose sharply and muscle asymmetry worsened. This single case shows functional gains can coexist with metabolic decline and uneven recovery.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Post-stroke lower limb rehabilitation: a comparative study between exoskeleton robots and traditional gait training.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobot-assisted gait training may speed short-term recovery in severe post-stroke walking deficits, while traditional training better supports active movement learning. Most evidence lacked follow-up beyond six months.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2026Treatment of residual and phantom limb pain using percutaneous ablation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPercutaneous ablation reduced phantom and residual limb pain in small case series, but the only randomized trial found no significant improvement with cryoablation. Evidence for thermal and pulsed radiofrequency is limited to uncontrolled reports, so efficacy remains unproven.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026The impact of continued inpatient therapies on functional recovery and community discharge in patients with acquired brain injury.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPatients with acquired brain injury continuing rehabilitation at a skilled nursing facility after inpatient rehab showed significant functional gains in mobility, daily activities, and cognition. Eighty-eight percent were discharged to the community. Higher admission mobility scores and an ischemic stroke diagnosis predicted community discharge.
• PTOTRCT2026Outcomes of an Exercise Intervention in Adults With Down Syndrome and Congenital Heart Disease: A Secondary Analysis.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRA 12-month remote exercise program was safe for adults with Down syndrome and congenital heart disease, with no increase in adverse events compared to those without heart disease. Participants improved cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity, though results are preliminary.
• PTOTSLPRCT2026Hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with computerized cognitive training improves global cognition and functional independence post-stroke: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCombining hyperbaric oxygen with computerized cognitive training improved global cognition and daily living independence more than either alone or standard care in stroke patients. Gains appeared across memory, attention, and orientation. The contribution of each component cannot be separated.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2026Neurosurgery to restore function in cerebral palsy: current practice and emerging therapies.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThis review maps neurosurgical options for cerebral palsy movement disorders. It notes SDR helps spasticity but can unmask dystonia, while DBS and spinal cord stimulation remain investigational for children. Outcomes vary by phenotype, requiring individualized selection and intensive rehab.
• OTPilot2026Understanding the impact of perceived app usability on the efficacy of mobile health intervention for traumatic brain injury caregivers.Rehabilitation psychologyPush notifications reduced depression scores only in caregivers who found the app easy to use. For those who found it difficult, messages slightly worsened depression scores. Usability, not just the content, determines whether these tools help or harm.
• OTRCT2026Clinical Efficacy and Preliminary Cost-Utility of Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Versus Sham Stimulation for Neurogenic Overactive Bladder in Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairActive rTMS lowered stroke-related overactive bladder symptoms more than sham at weeks 4 and 8 (1.66 and 1.81 points on the bladder symptom score). This difference was under the 3-point clinical threshold, but treated participants improved 4.31 points.
• PTOTRCT2026Neuromechanics of Nonuse and Compensation: Implications for Rehabilitation After Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairTrunk compensation after stroke is often a smart effort-saving strategy, not just bad habits. Patients who gain function or reduce effort by compensating should focus on shoulder strength. Those who do not gain from compensating are candidates for therapies that restrict movement.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Hands-free control of an assistive robotic arm for high-level paralysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHead, tongue, and facial muscle controls let people reach targets with a robotic arm as fast as a hand-operated joystick. Voice control was slower. These hands-free options may offer people with high-level paralysis a safer, cheaper alternative to brain implants.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026User Requirements of the Integrated Home-Based Rehabilitation Tool, Neurorehabilitation Ecosystem for Sustained Therapy: Multicenter Focus Group Study With Stroke Survivors, Caregivers, and Health Care Professionals.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesStroke survivors, caregivers, and therapists agree that home rehabilitation apps need therapist-led setup, simple interfaces, and customizable games. Caregivers want to support without becoming therapists. The system must be an addition to clinic care, not a replacement, with ongoing monitoring to keep patients engaged.
• OTRCT2026Effects of semi-independent bedside rehabilitation of the upper limb assisted with a mobile wrist-hand exoneuromusculoskeleton (ENMS) for inpatients with subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial (RCT).Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSubacute stroke inpatients who did Bobath therapy plus bedside wrist-hand robot training improved more on the primary upper-limb motor test than those doing Bobath plus cycling robot or Bobath plus PNF, while using less therapist time.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Clinical characteristics, functional impact and caregivers' priorities in Malaysian children with dystonic cerebral palsy.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineCaregivers rated sitting, hygiene, and speech as top priorities even when impact was mild. Fine motor issues showed high impact and priority. Dystonia severity correlated with functional impact, but functional level alone did not predict priority.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence for the Assessment and Rehabilitation of Spatial Neglect: A Systematic Review.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairAugmented reality and AI show promise for assessing spatial neglect, with some diagnostic accuracy exceeding standard tests. However, evidence for rehabilitation effectiveness is very low, with only one small trial. Current tools lack personalization and real-world validation.
• PTOTOther2026Acute effects of upper-limb blood flow restriction training on dual-task postural control and physiological correlates in older adults.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding blood flow restriction to arm exercise improved balance during a dual-task in older adults. Reaction time and accuracy did not change. The benefit was limited to postural control, not the cognitive part of the task.
• OTOther2026Lateral armrest support improves postural alignment, respiratory mechanics, and shoulder girdle loading during seated eating in healthy young adults: a multidimensional biomechanical evaluation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationLateral armrests during simulated bed sitting reduced upper trapezius stiffness and increased vital capacity compared with unsupported sitting, and were more comfortable with less neck extension than forward elbow support in 40 healthy young adults.
• PTOTQualitative2026The concerns of mothers of female youth with physical disabilities in transitioning to adulthood: A qualitative study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineMothers of girls with physical disabilities worry most about independence, empowerment, relationships, health, and legal adulthood. They use patience and outside support for skills, but feel helpless against stigma and insurance barriers. This highlights needs for transition planning and social work support.
• PTOTOther2026Validity of FuncUseRatio for ecological monitoring of functional arm use after stroke: toward precision neurorehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWrist sensors accurately track functional arm use in stroke survivors. The FuncUseRatio metric matched video analysis almost perfectly in daily tasks like eating and dressing. This tool validates home monitoring of paretic arm use, helping clinicians detect non-use behaviors early.
• PTOTSLPRCT2026Effects of incentive spirometer added to standard rehabilitation in previously hospitalized adults with post-COVID-19 condition: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdding an incentive spirometer to standard rehabilitation improved peak expiratory flow and reduced breathlessness compared with rehabilitation alone. However, it did not improve walking distance, strength, or quality of life more than the standard programme. Use it as an adjunct for respiratory symptoms, not a replacement for comprehensive rehab.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Adipose-derived and bone marrow aspirate concentrate injections for osteoarthritis: A scoping review.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationAdipose and bone marrow injections showed mixed results versus PRP, saline, steroids or exercise in trials, and most evidence is observational with inconsistent methods, so they cannot be recommended as proven better treatments.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Factors Contributing to Screen Exposure in Preschool Children and Its Associated Outcomes: A Systematic Review.Child: care, health and developmentParents' own excessive screen use and lack of clear rules are the strongest predictors of high screen time in preschoolers. While most studies link high exposure to language and social delays, a few report benefits when use is interactive and educational. The evidence is observational, so causality is not proven.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2026Nanomaterial-enabled physical rehabilitation: mechanisms, evidence, and translational pathways.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesNanomaterials can localize heat, sound, or magnetic fields to target pain and tissue repair more precisely than current modalities. However, this remains preclinical. Long-term safety data for repeated exposure is missing, so there are no clinical protocols to adopt yet.
• PTOTCohort2026Physical activity levels are low in the days, weeks, and months following dysvascular major lower limb amputation.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePhysical activity increases over the first nine months after dysvascular major lower limb amputation, but remains low. Older age and undernutrition were associated with less activity, while higher grip strength was linked to more. Most activity occurred during leisure time via walking or wheeling.
• OTSLPMeta-Analysis2026Examining the Relationship Between Social Motivation and Internalizing Symptoms in Autistic People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAcross 15 studies, autistic people with lower social motivation reported significantly higher anxiety and depression. The link was strongest for social anxiety. Because the data is cross-sectional, this shows an association, not that low motivation causes mental health difficulties.
• OTPilot2026Multigesture Electromyographic Control Complexity in Upper Limb Prostheses Actuated via Single Sensor Input Contraction Magnitude: Qualitative Study for Evaluating Performance and Cognitive Load.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAble-bodied novice users were most accurate with 1 gesture and least accurate with 5. 3 gestures were more usable than 5, and progressive practice matched static practice except at 3 gestures, where static practice scored higher.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Characteristics of unilateral cerebral palsy according to gestational age at birth: A retrospective study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMost children with unilateral cerebral palsy were born at term. Premature birth did not predict later impairments, but focal brain injuries like stroke were linked to fewer cognitive and communication issues, yet higher rates of epilepsy, compared to white matter injuries.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2026Efficacy of vibration therapy on physical function, activity and participation in people with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationVibration therapy improved motor function, spasticity, balance, gait and daily activity in stroke survivors. Benefits were larger with longer sessions and in chronic stroke. Participation outcomes showed no change. Evidence quality was moderate, so results need cautious interpretation.
• PTOTRCT2026Application of continuing care based on an information platform in discharged patients with first-ever stroke.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesStroke patients who used a WeChat mini-program for continuing care after discharge had better neurological function and daily living scores at three months than those receiving routine care. The group also had fewer falls and readmissions. The intervention combined online education with offline home nursing.
• PTOTCohort2026Home-based exercise training in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A 12-month intervention study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineA one-year home exercise program was safe for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but did not significantly improve activity levels compared to standard care. Upper limb function declined, while lung function and endurance remained stable.