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 33 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPOther2017Auditing Access to Outpatient Rehabilitation Services for Children With Traumatic Brain Injury and Public Insurance in Washington State.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationChildren with public insurance faced longer waits and lower acceptance rates for outpatient rehabilitation in Washington State. Speech therapy showed the largest disparities, with median waits of 20 days for public insurance versus 5 days for private insurance.
• PTOTSystematic Review2018Effectiveness of Workplace Interventions in Return-to-Work for Musculoskeletal, Pain-Related and Mental Health Conditions: An Update of the Evidence and Messages for Practitioners.Journal of occupational rehabilitationInterventions that combined components from several workplace domains had evidence of reducing lost time for workers off work with musculoskeletal, pain or mental health conditions. Work-focused CBT also reduced lost time and costs; traditional CBT alone did not reduce lost time.
• PTOTQualitative2018Delivering high quality hip fracture rehabilitation: the perspective of occupational and physical therapy practitioners.Disability and rehabilitationTherapists and assistants in skilled nursing facilities described high quality hip fracture rehabilitation as getting patients home safely, building trust early, and teaching patients and caregivers to manage pain, precautions, medications and fall risk.
• PTOTNarrative Review2018Passive prosthetic hands and tools: A literature review.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalPassive prostheses are used by about one in three potential users, mostly for appearance and comfort, not just as a step toward active devices. They offer limited but sufficient function for many daily tasks. Research should focus on adjustable hands and tools for work and sports.
• OTCohort2017Group-Based Trajectory Analysis of Emotional Symptoms Among Survivors After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationAfter severe TBI, about 70% of 129 survivors had low depression that rose over 24 months, while 30% stayed high. Anxiety also split into low-stable and high-stable groups, and high depression or anxiety clustered with low life satisfaction.
• OTOther2017Effect of fingernail length on the hand dexterity.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 38 healthy right-handed students, object manipulation was faster with 2 mm fingernails than 0 mm on several timed tasks, including pin and small cube. Nail length may confound dexterity scores.
• OTRCT2017Caregivers' effect on weight management in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Disability and health journalThe two diet groups did not differ significantly in weight loss over 18 months. Caregiver type, family member or paid staff, also did not differ significantly in weight loss. One study partner had greater 6-month percentage weight loss than three or more partners.
• PTOTSLPCohort2017How Are Race, Cultural, and Psychosocial Factors Associated With Outcomes in Veterans With Spinal Cord Injury?Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationFor veterans with spinal cord injury, race alone rarely predicted outcomes once other factors were considered. Instead, anxiety, self-esteem, and communication with providers drove quality of life and satisfaction, while medical and demographic factors drove participation levels.
• PTOTPilot2017Effects of silver gymnastic exercises on aging-related hormones in elderly women living alone.Journal of physical therapy scienceTwelve weeks of group gymnastics raised growth hormone and estrogen levels in twenty elderly women living alone. Because there was no control group and the study was small, this shows a change in blood markers, not that the exercises prevent disease or reverse aging.
• PTOTSLPOther2017Characterization of Neck Strength in Healthy Young Adults.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationNeck strength varies widely in healthy young adults and is significantly higher in men than women. Anthropometric measures like weight or neck circumference correlate only modestly with strength. You cannot estimate a patient's neck strength from their body size; direct measurement is required.
• PTOTRCT2017The Relations of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Physical Activity Variables to Depression Severity in Traumatic Brain Injury: Reanalysis of Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationCBT and usual care produced similar depression improvement. Across both groups, fewer negative thoughts and more rewarding activities were related to better mood; physical activity showed little consistent link.
• PTOTRCT2018Associations Between the Readiness for Return to Work Scale and Return to Work: A Prospective Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitationA single question asking how long a patient expects to be sick-listed predicted return to work better than the full Readiness for Return to Work scale. High scores on 'Prepared for action' predicted success, but the scale's stage allocation method failed due to tied scores.
• PTOTQualitative2018Patient-centered mobility outcome preferences according to individuals with stroke and caregivers: a qualitative analysis.Disability and rehabilitationStroke survivors often prioritized walking independently. Caregivers often prioritized safety, falls, home changes, driving, and realistic mobility prognosis. Ask each person and caregiver before choosing mobility goals.
• PTOTRCT2018Effect of Inpatient Multicomponent Occupational Rehabilitation Versus Less Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation on Sickness Absence in Persons with Musculoskeletal- or Mental Health Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Journal of occupational rehabilitationFor adults on sick leave with musculoskeletal, psychological or unspecific disorders, a 4+4 day inpatient multicomponent program did not reduce sickness absence more than a less comprehensive outpatient program. The outpatient program looked similar, not clearly better.
• OTOther2018Ipsilateral Scapular Cutaneous Anchor System: An alternative for the harness in body-powered upper-limb prostheses.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalThe Anchor System and the figure-of-nine harness gave similar force control accuracy and steadiness. Accuracy and steadiness worsened as target force increased.
• PTOTCohort2017A Longitudinal Study of Social Participation After Dysvascular Lower Extremity Amputation.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationOne year after dysvascular lower limb amputation, veterans reported low social participation. Better mobility, mental status, and lower amputation level were associated with participation; social support was associated with satisfaction.
• PTOTSurvey2017Aging, mobility impairments and subjective wellbeing.Disability and health journalIn adults 60+, days when lower-body problems limited activities were linked to lower life satisfaction, worse daily emotions, and more pain and tiredness. Pain and tiredness were most affected, and worst among ages 65-74.
• PTOTRCT2017Structured Wii protocol for rehabilitation of shoulder impingement syndrome: A pilot study.Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicineThe group receiving structured Wii sessions and the same home exercises improved pain, disability, quality of life, and some shoulder movement. Strength did not improve, and this small pilot cannot separate the Wii effect from the home exercises.
• PTOTRCT2017The effects of whole body vibration combined biofeedback postural control training on the balance ability and gait ability in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding whole body vibration to biofeedback postural control training improved step length more than biofeedback alone or aero-step combinations. Balance limits improved in all groups, but the vibration group showed the greatest gains in gait.
• PTOTCohort2017Changes in the amount of physical activity in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.Journal of physical therapy sciencePatients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery increased their daily steps by 39.3% before discharge, while those with conventional sternotomy saw a 34.3% decrease. This suggests smaller incisions may help maintain activity levels during hospitalization.
• PTOTOther2017Effect of pain on fear of falling in patients with femoral proximal fracture.Journal of physical therapy scienceFour weeks after surgery for femoral proximal fracture, age and higher pain intensity were linked to lower confidence about avoiding falls. Walking, balance and daily independence did not differ across confidence groups, so pain is worth asking about.
• OTOther2018Influence of an Interdisciplinary Re-employment Programme Among Unemployed Persons with Mental Health Problems on Health, Social Participation and Paid Employment.Journal of occupational rehabilitationThe interdisciplinary re-employment programme did not significantly improve paid employment, voluntary work or health after 2 years compared with usual programmes. People who did get jobs had better physical health and fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms.
• OTOther2018The Deployment Trauma Phenotype and Employment Status in Veterans of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationVeterans with mild TBI, PTSD and depression were most likely to be unemployed and not looking for work. The study did not show this was worse than PTSD and depression alone. Mild TBI alone was least likely to be unemployed.
• PTOTPilot2018Functional Capacity Evaluation in Upper Limb Reduction Deficiency and Amputation: Development and Pilot Testing.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAdapted functional capacity tests for one-handed adults proved feasible but revealed lower lifting weights than two-handed controls. The prosthesis often limited performance due to grip safety rather than muscle strength, and no link was found between test scores and current pain.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Internet and Social Media Use After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationMost adults with moderate-to-severe TBI use the internet, often via smartphone, and social media habits mirror the general population. Non-use is driven by age, income, and education rather than injury severity. Many lack confidence seeking online health advice.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Variation in Adult Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes in the United States.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationAdults hospitalized with traumatic brain injury in 20 US states showed large differences in survival and access to inpatient rehabilitation depending on where they received care. Uninsured patients were more likely to die and less likely to receive rehabilitation than those with insurance.
• PTOTOther2018Sympathetic nervous system activity measured by skin conductance quantifies the challenge of walking adaptability tasks after stroke.Gait & postureSkin conductance rose as walking tasks became harder, linking physiological stress to task difficulty. Slower walkers showed higher stress responses, but self-reported balance confidence did not predict these changes.
• OTQualitative2018The influence of environment: Experiences of users of myoelectric arm prosthesis-a qualitative study.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalDaily users felt the myoelectric arm was part of their body and used it despite limitations. Non-daily users said it never became part of them and found function and appearance harder barriers. Support, training, and confidence were described as relevant.
• PTOTCohort2018Timed mobility: description of measurement, performance, and dimensionality among older adults.Disability and rehabilitationTimes for five everyday mobility tasks in 189 adults over 75 were related enough to look like one mobility construct. If a patient rises or walks quickly, other timed tasks often are quicker too.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2017Nonsurgical correction of straight back syndrome (thoracic hypokyphosis), increased lung capacity and resolution of exertional dyspnea by thoracic hyperkyphosis mirror image® traction: a CBP® case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceA man with straight back syndrome gained 10 degrees of thoracic curve and increased lung capacity from 2.5 to 4.77 litres after 36 traction sessions. Symptoms improved but returned mildly at 11 months. This describes one person, not a proven treatment.
• PTOTOther2017Anteroposterior perception of the trunk position while seated without the feet touching the floor.Journal of physical therapy scienceWhen seated with feet off the floor, healthy adults reproduced extreme forward and backward trunk positions more accurately than near-neutral ones. Neutral postures showed the largest errors, suggesting proprioception is poorest in stable, frequently used positions.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2017Reduction of progressive thoracolumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis by chiropractic biophysics® (CBP®) mirror image® methods following failed traditional chiropractic treatment: a case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceA 15-year-old with worsening adolescent idiopathic scoliosis showed a 19-degree curve reduction after 24 sessions of combined chiropractic mirror-image exercises, traction, and manipulation. This single case cannot prove the treatment works, as multiple interventions were delivered simultaneously without a control group.
• PTOTOther2017Validity of Robot-Based Assessments of Upper Extremity Function.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationRobot-based tests of arm movement correlated strongly with standard clinical measures of stroke impairment and function. A panel of tests, including speed and targeting tasks, captured deficits across different levels of daily life better than any single test alone.
• PTOTOther2017Functional Test of the Hemiparetic Upper Extremity: A Rasch Analysis With Theoretical Implications.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn 109 people with stroke arm weakness, most FTHUE tasks measured one upper-extremity function, but 33 scored maximum, so the test did not show movement quality problems.
• OTSLPOther2018Improving Assessment of Work Related Mental Health Function Using the Work Disability Functional Assessment Battery (WD-FAB).Journal of occupational rehabilitationThe expanded WD-FAB profiles work-related mental health function in four areas: cognition-communication, resilience-sociability, self-regulation, and mood. Claimants reported lower cognition-communication and mood function than working-age adults. Use it as a self-report profile, not an eligibility test.
• OTOther2018Color Afterimages in Autistic Adults.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic adults showed no difference in color afterimage strength compared with typical adults. Scenes with typical colors produced stronger afterimages, but turning images upside down did not change this, so scene knowledge was not confirmed.
• OTPilot2018A new primary mobility tool for the visually impaired: A white cane-adaptive mobility device hybrid.Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNAIn six visually impaired cane users, a prototype hybrid cane with folding wings detected more obstacles and smaller drop-offs than a standard long cane, especially small hazards. Participants had no training with the hybrid cane, and some said it was heavy.
• PTOTCohort2018The association of discharge destination with 30-day rehospitalization rates among older adults receiving lumbar spinal fusion surgery.Musculoskeletal science & practiceOlder adults discharged to rehabilitation services after spinal fusion had higher 30-day readmission rates than those discharged home. This likely reflects sicker, more complex patients needing skilled care, not harm from the therapy itself. Clinicians should expect higher medical instability in this group.
• PTOTQualitative2018Understanding barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and physical activity from patients either before and after knee arthroplasty.Disability and rehabilitationPatients cited pain, low fitness, and mood as top barriers to activity, while craving high-calorie foods and stress hindered eating. Facilitators included pre-planning meals, using wearable trackers, and linking healthy habits directly to better surgical outcomes.
• PTOTSurvey2018Prevalence and causes of work disability among working-age U.S. adults, 2011-2013, NHIS.Disability and health journal10.4% of working-age U.S. adults reported work disability. Back or neck problems, depression, anxiety or emotional problems, and arthritis were the most common causes, even among people with other chronic conditions.
• PTOTPilot2017Participation in physical activities for children with cerebral palsy: feasibility and effectiveness of physical activity on prescription.Archives of physiotherapyAll 11 children improved in their chosen physical activities, and families accepted the programme. Accelerometer activity did not rise for every child, and two children's total activity fell.
• PTOTRCT2017Mindfulness Is Associated With Treatment Response From Nonpharmacologic Exercise Interventions in Knee Osteoarthritis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPatients with higher baseline mindfulness were 38% more likely to respond to Tai Chi or physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis. The specific facet of acting with awareness showed the strongest association with treatment success.
• OTRCT2017Evaluating the Effectiveness of a School-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Intervention for Anxiety in Adolescents Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdolescents with ASD who received school-based CBT with teaching-assistant support and home projects showed greater reductions in parent, self and teacher-reported anxiety than wait-list controls. Teachers reported less social worry, but self-reported social worry did not differ.
• OTSLPOther2017Measurement of confidence: the development and psychometric evaluation of a stroke-specific, measure of confidence.Clinical rehabilitationA 27-item stroke confidence questionnaire covers self-confidence, positive attitude and social confidence, with consistent scores over time in 202 adults, but it is not yet shown to guide treatment or predict recovery.
• OTRCT2018Randomized Controlled Trial of Adding Telephone Follow-Up to an Occupational Rehabilitation Program to Increase Work Participation.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAfter a 3½-week occupational rehabilitation program, adding 6 months of telephone ACT booster sessions to standard community follow-up helped more people on long-term sick leave work at least 1 day per week. The effect appeared after 6 months, not immediately.
• PTOTRCT2018Effects of 12-week lumbar stabilization exercise and sling exercise on lumbosacral region angle, lumbar muscle strength, and pain scale of patients with chronic low back pain.Journal of physical therapy scienceTwelve weeks of lumbar stabilization or sling exercises improved muscle strength, flexibility, and pain scores in adults with chronic low back pain. However, neither exercise changed spinal angles, so these programmes do not appear to correct structural alignment.
• OTPilot2018Feasibility of electronic peer mentoring for transition-age youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Project Teens making Environment and Activity Modifications.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDTransition-age youth with intellectual disabilities can participate in electronic peer mentoring, but it requires heavy staffing. Mentors with disabilities achieved 87% of goals when supported by scripts and supervisors, yet the resource demands make this difficult for community clinics to adopt without university partnerships.
• PTOTRCT2018A randomized controlled trial of a modified wheelchair arm-support to reduce shoulder pain in stroke patients.Clinical rehabilitationStroke patients who used a modified wheelchair arm-support in addition to positioning, passive therapy, Western and Chinese medicine and ordinary wheelchair care had lower pain scores at 12 weeks, but not at 4 weeks. The support was not tested alone.
• OTCohort2018Parental sleep quality and behavior problems of children with autism.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAcross 14 days, mothers' and fathers' previous-night sleep quality did not predict next-day behavior problems in their child with autism. Better sleep was associated with parents feeling more positive and less negative the next day.
• OTQualitative2018Improving the Health and Well-Being of Adults With Conditions of a Genetic Origin: Views from Professionals, Syndrome Support Groups and Parents.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDProfessionals, support-group representatives and parents said genetic syndrome knowledge should guide proactive health checks and direct support staff awareness. They mostly wanted service changes, not cures. Parents of adults pointed to mental health as a barrier to independence.