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 38 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRCT2018Effects of long-term balance training with vibrotactile sensory augmentation among community-dwelling healthy older adults: a randomized preliminary study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationEight weeks of in-home balance training improved balance in older adults, but adding vibrotactile feedback to a smartphone trainer produced significantly greater gains. Both groups trained safely at home, though the small sample size means these results are preliminary.
• OTSLPOther2018In Search of Culturally Appropriate Autism Interventions: Perspectives of Latino Caregivers.Journal of autism and developmental disordersLatino Spanish-speaking caregivers wanted therapists to teach them directly, use Spanish, and offer practical strategies like prompting and modeling. Surveys showed few group differences, but focus groups revealed stigma, mixed messages and unmet home-support needs.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Acute Phase Predictors of 6-Month Functional Outcome in Italian Stroke Patients Eligible for In-Hospital Rehabilitation.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationGetting stroke patients sitting out of bed within 48 hours predicted better independence at six months. However, early formal rehab starting within 72 hours was linked to worse outcomes, suggesting mobilization timing matters more than immediate intensive therapy.
• OTSLPNarrative Review2018Focus on the Social Aspect of Autism.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn US children, autism is reported in 14.6 per 1000; most are identified after age 4, and families face high care costs and lost income. Social communication differences are the defining clinical feature.
• OTSLPRCT2018Computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation in persons with multiple sclerosis: Results of a multi-site randomized controlled trial with six month follow-up.Disability and health journalMixed results: both groups improved over 6 months, and the group and computer program had some advantages on selected cognitive and self-report tests, but the paper reports separate outcomes rather than one overall primary-outcome result.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2017Early development of infants with neurofibromatosis type 1: a case series.Molecular autismAt 10 months, ten infants with NF1 showed motor and communication delays; social engagement and temperament appeared typical. This small series cannot guide treatment.
• PTOTCase-Control2018Impairments of postural control, functional performance and strength in morbidly obese patients awaiting bariatric surgery in comparison to healthy individuals.Journal of physical therapy scienceMorbidly obese patients awaiting surgery had slower walk-and-turn times and poorer balance than matched lean controls. Absolute strength was similar, but strength relative to body weight and lean mass was lower. Aerobic capacity was impaired when adjusted for body weight.
• OTSystematic Review2018At the intersection of chronic disease, disability and health services research: A scoping literature review.Disability and health journalWorking age adults with chronic conditions and disability are defined inconsistently in health services research. Limits in daily tasks, not diagnosis alone, help identify people who need more care.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2018How do Parents Manage Irritability, Challenging Behaviour, Non-Compliance and Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders? A Meta-Synthesis.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of children with autism often manage challenging behaviour by changing the environment and routine rather than the child. Strategies included avoiding triggers, giving in to demands to prevent meltdowns, and constant supervision. This reflects high family burden, not proven efficacy.
• PTOTOther2018The Tyneside Pegboard Test: development, validation, and observations in unilateral cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyThe Tyneside Pegboard Test measures bimanual coordination separately from hand speed. In children with unilateral cerebral palsy, bimanual scores correlate with affected-hand function, while dominant-hand speed does not. This test identifies coordination deficits that single-hand assessments miss.
• OTRCT2018Cognitive enhancement therapy for adult autism spectrum disorder: Results of an 18-month randomized clinical trial.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchBy 18 months, social-cognitive gains were not different between cognitive enhancement therapy and enriched supportive therapy. Cognitive enhancement therapy improved neurocognition more, and employment was more likely.
• OTSLPOther2018What About the Girls? Sex-Based Differences in Autistic Traits and Adaptive Skills.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBoys and girls with autism and no intellectual disability scored similarly on observed diagnostic tests, but parents rated girls as having stronger autistic traits and lower daily living skills.
• PTOTRCT2018Accelerating Stroke Recovery: Body Structures and Functions, Activities, Participation, and Quality of Life Outcomes From a Large Rehabilitation Trial.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairThe trial's main motor outcome showed no group difference at 1 year. In secondary outcomes, ASAP produced faster early gains in confidence, function, participation and quality of life; usual care caught up by 12 months.
• OTSLPRCT2018A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the ACCESS Program: A Group Intervention to Improve Social, Adaptive Functioning, Stress Coping, and Self-Determination Outcomes in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregivers reported adaptive scores changed 4.1 points more after ACCESS than waitlist, but participants did not report less anxiety or better overall coping. Attendance was high.
• PTOTCohort2018Preoperative Risk Factors for Postoperative Falls in Persons Undergoing Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: A Longitudinal Study of Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPatients who had fallen in the year before hip or knee replacement, or who reported higher depressive symptoms, were significantly more likely to fall two or more times in the two years after surgery. Hip replacement carried over double the risk of multiple falls compared to knee replacement.
• OTCohort2018Longitudinal development of thalamic and internal capsule microstructure in autism spectrum disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn verbal autistic males, thalamus and posterior internal capsule brain tissue changed differently with age, but anterior internal capsule did not. Finger-tapping speed was linked to posterior internal capsule tissue in both groups.
• OTOther2018Turning Data Into Information: Opportunities to Advance Rehabilitation Quality, Research, and Policy.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationEHR data for stroke rehabilitation were often stored in ways that made quality or research use unlikely. For neglect, the occupational therapist's admission assessment was chosen as the first source; missing entries were counted as no neglect.
• OTSLPNarrative Review2018Loss of skills and onset patterns in neurodevelopmental disorders: Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchSome children with autism lose previously gained language and social communication skills, at an average age of 1.78 years. Parent reports alone may miss these losses, and regressive onset does not consistently predict greater impairment.
• OTSLPQualitative2018An international qualitative study of functioning in autism spectrum disorder using the World Health Organization international classification of functioning, disability and health framework.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchPeople with ASD, families and professionals described functioning across communication, daily routines, work, school, sensory issues and environment. These categories may guide OT and SLP assessment of whole life participation, not just diagnosis.
• OTSLPSurvey2018Parents' Use of Complementary Health Approaches for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disorders44.9% of surveyed children with autism used complementary health approaches. Parents were more likely to use them for younger children, when they believed autism had major life consequences, in Denver or Portland, and when medication was also used.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Acoustic reflexes are common but not pervasive: evidence using a diagnostic middle ear analyser.International journal of audiologyAcoustic reflexes are common but not pervasive in young adults with excellent hearing. No subgroup reached the threshold for 95% prevalence, even when using a stable friction-fit probe. Damage-risk criteria should not assume everyone will exhibit this reflex.
• PTOTRCT2018Home-based pre-surgical psychological intervention for knee osteoarthritis (HAPPiKNEES): a feasibility randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationA home-based psychological therapy before knee surgery was feasible but had high dropout. One physical function score improved significantly at six months, but the authors state this is likely a chance finding due to multiple comparisons. Most participants did not complete the planned sessions.
• PTOTCohort2018Same But Different: FIM Summary Scores May Mask Variability in Physical Functioning Profiles.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationAmong Medicare inpatient rehabilitation discharges classified as needing no physical assistance by FIM summary scores, about one quarter still needed help on at least one item. Stairs, lower-body dressing, bathing, and tub transfers were common.
• PTOTOther2018Pinch aperture proprioception: reliability and feasibility study.Journal of physical therapy scienceHealthy adults reproduced a thumb-index pinch position with average error under 2 percent over two days. Finger vibration made most undershoot. Two patients with diabetic neuropathy also undershot, but this small device test is not yet proven for clinical decisions.
• PTOTCohort2018What Types of Treatment Are Provided for Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? A Retrospective Analysis of Commercial Insurance.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMost commercially insured patients with carpal tunnel syndrome received no documented treatment or only one visit. Splinting was the most common early conservative care. Surgery occurred in 24% of patients, typically after initial conservative management. Actual practice largely matched guideline recommendations.
• PTOTCohort2018Three-Year Changes in Physical Activity and Subsequent Loss of Ability to Walk 400 m in Older Adults: The InCHIANTI Study.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationOlder adults who stayed or became more active over 3 years were less likely to later be unable to complete a 400 m walk. The paper reports a link, not proof that activity prevents mobility loss.
• OTSLPCohort2018Mid-life social outcomes for a population-based sample of adults with ASD.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMost adults identified with autism in childhood and followed into mid-life had low cognitive ability and limited independence. 77% were at IQ 70 or below, 20% were unemployed, and 62% relied on others for transport.
• PTOTSLPPilot2018Improved lower extremity pedaling mechanics in individuals with stroke under maximal workloads.Topics in stroke rehabilitationPedaling symmetry and smoothness improved at maximal workloads, but upstroke control worsened. The paretic leg generated more force overall, yet the non-paretic leg gained more, increasing asymmetry during the upstroke. High-intensity cycling recruits more motor units but may expose timing deficits.
• PTOTOther2018Promoting activity, independence and stability in early dementia and mild cognitive impairment (PrAISED): development of an intervention for people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.Clinical rehabilitationPrAISED is a home-based, tailored balance, strength, dual-task and functional activity programme for mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment. It is not proven to reduce falls or improve independence; it is ready for testing.
• PTOTCohort2018Effect of the frequency of therapy on the performance of activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy.Journal of physical therapy sciencePhysical therapy frequency did not show significant differences in daily living skills. Intensive occupational therapy was associated with a significant overall daily living skill improvement compared with bimonthly therapy, and therapy frequency was correlated with mobility and social function.
• OTPilot2018Links between sleep and daytime behaviour problems in children with Down syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRParents reported more restless sleep and other night-time sleep problems in children with Down syndrome, and these reports were related to more conduct problems, anxiety, and hyperactivity at home and school. Shorter sleep measured by a wrist watch was also related to inattention.
• PTOTNarrative Review2018Soft robotic devices for hand rehabilitation and assistance: a narrative review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationOf 44 soft robotic hand devices, 20 were portable, 12 had clear safety mechanisms, and 13 detected user intent. Many are early prototypes, and there is little clinical evidence for any particular design.
• OTSLPOther2018Sensory Behaviors in Minimally Verbal Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: How and When Do Caregivers Respond?American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesCaregivers of minimally verbal children with autism most often prompted or changed their own behavior in response to sensory behaviors. They reported responding less to movement and more to social behaviors than non-social behaviors.
• OTSLPOther2018Autism Spectrum Symptomatology Among Children with Duplication 7q11.23 Syndrome.Journal of autism and developmental disorders12 participants (19.0%) met clinical criteria for ASD. Parent interview alone classified 25 participants (39.7%) as autism. Use direct observation and consider language level and anxiety before diagnosing.
• PTOTOther2018Neural predictors of gait stability when walking freely in the real-world.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBrain activity in the left posterior parietal cortex predicted gait stability in healthy young adults walking freely outdoors. Different walking tasks engaged different brain frequency bands, suggesting this area monitors movement planning during real-world dual-tasking.
• PTOTOther2018IMU-based gait analysis in lower limb prosthesis users: Comparison of step demarcation algorithms.Gait & postureZero-crossing algorithms demarcate steps more accurately than peak-detection algorithms for people with lower limb prostheses. Using the wrong algorithm can distort gait symmetry data, so clinicians should verify the algorithm used by their IMU system.
• OTOther2018Convergent validity of actigraphy with polysomnography and parent reports when measuring sleep in children with Down syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRIn children with Down syndrome, an actigraphy watch agreed with sleep lab scores for total sleep, wake after sleep onset and efficiency, but not wake episodes or parent reports, and did not identify OSA.
• PTOTRCT2018Pilot testing of the spring operated wearable enhancer for arm rehabilitation (SpringWear).Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSpringWear did not consistently help 13 chronic stroke patients complete functional tasks, although it increased maximum shoulder flexion, elbow extension and forearm rotation, and increased forward reach workspace by 19%.
• OTPilot2018GoFAR: improving attention, behavior and adaptive functioning in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Brief report.Developmental neurorehabilitationThe GoFAR program combining a computer game, parent training and supervised practice improved attention in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders versus controls. Home daily living skills improved in both active groups in a small pilot.
• PTOTCohort2018Prospective Changes in Vestibular and Ocular Motor Impairment After Concussion.Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPTVOMS symptom scores and near-point convergence distance rose above baseline after concussion, especially days 1-7. When baseline symptoms were subtracted from post-injury scores, only vertical eye movement reflex and visual motion sensitivity differed from baseline at days 8-14.
• PTOTSLPRCT2018Changes in cognitive function after a 12-week exercise intervention in adults with Down syndrome.Disability and health journalTwelve weeks of home-based video exercise did not significantly change attention or reaction time. However, participants doing two sessions per week showed large improvements in memory tasks compared to those doing one, though the study was not powered to confirm this.
• PTOTOther2018Adapting the Wii Fit Balance Board to Enable Active Video Game Play by Wheelchair Users: User-Centered Design and Usability Evaluation.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAn adapted Wii Fit Balance Board let all 25 participants with mobility impairments play, including 13 who could not use the original board. They rated it good overall and excellent among those who could not use the original board.
• PTOTOther2018Patients First: Toward a Patient-Centered Instrument to Measure Impact of Chronic Pain.Physical therapyPeople with chronic pain chose fatigue, social life, cramped muscles, sleeping, housekeeping, concentration, feelings of not being understood, and control over pain as the most important attributes. Some existing pain measures miss some of these.
• PTOTRCT2018The effects of gait training using powered lower limb exoskeleton robot on individuals with complete spinal cord injury.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTwo men with complete spinal cord injury walked faster and reported less effort using a new powered exoskeleton than with a traditional knee-ankle-foot orthosis. They also put the device on and took it off more quickly. No falls or skin injuries occurred.
• OTSLPRCT2018Enhancing interactions during daily routines: A randomized controlled trial of a web-based tutorial for parents of young children with ASD.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchParents who used a web tutorial reported using more evidence-based strategies during routines, and their children showed better engagement and social communication at follow-up. Gains came from parent reports only, and children also received other community services.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2018Recovery of facial expressions using functional electrical stimulation after full-face transplantation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTwo face transplant patients showed improved facial muscle symmetry and reduced synkinesis after 5 months of individualized functional electrical stimulation. The treatment combined stimulation with visual feedback and peer modeling, but without a control group, it is unclear if reinnervation alone caused the changes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Are the health needs of young people with cerebral palsy met during transition from child to adult health care?Child: care, health and developmentYoung people with cerebral palsy did not show a significant rise in unmet health needs through transition, though many already had unmet needs, especially speech, pain and bone or joint problems.
• OTPilot2018Online mapping of EMG signals into kinematics by autoencoding.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn a small group of able-bodied people, an autoencoder muscle-signal control moved a cursor faster and with better path efficiency than standard sequential control. This is a lab feasibility test, not evidence for amputee prostheses.
• PTOTRCT2018Efficacy of dietary supplement with nutraceutical composed combined with extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic fields in carpal tunnel syndrome.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn carpal tunnel syndrome, adding a nutraceutical to electromagnetic-field therapy did not improve pain or symptoms more than placebo with the same electromagnetic-field therapy. Both groups improved after treatment; the nutraceutical group still reported improvement at 3 months.
• PTOTCohort2018Rehabilitation Utilization for Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the United States in the National Health and Aging Trends Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationRecurrent falls strongly predict receiving fall-related rehabilitation, but lower education and Hispanic ethnicity reduce access even after accounting for falls. Therapists should not assume clinical need alone drives referrals, as demographic barriers persist.