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 39 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTSLPPilot2018Defining behavioral components of social functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorder as targets for treatment.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn adults with autism, measures of social motivation, anxiety, and skills moved together. Measures of social cognition and community functioning did not. Motivation also moved with anxiety, skills, community, and autism symptoms, but not cognition.
• OTPilot2018Development of a novel positive psychology-based intervention for couples post-stroke.Rehabilitation psychologyAn 8-week positive psychology program for stroke survivors and partners was feasible and acceptable: 10 of 11 couples completed, and couples exceeded the minimum weekly activity requirement. It did not test whether the program improves mood or function.
• PTOTOther2018The validity and reliability of the Test of Arm Selective Control for children with cerebral palsy: a prospective cross-sectional study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyThe TASC can rate selective arm control in children with cerebral palsy, and therapists scored it consistently. It took about 16 minutes, tracked hand function and arm involvement, and did not test treatment change.
• OTOther2018Allocentric Versus Egocentric Spatial Memory in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdults with ASD spent less time in the correct area than typically developing adults when they had to learn a hidden platform from different sides. This difficulty was absent in self-centred navigation and when the platform moved with objects.
• PTOTSLPOther2018Why do stroke survivors not receive recommended amounts of active therapy? Findings from the ReAcT study, a mixed-methods case-study evaluation in eight stroke units.Clinical rehabilitationTherapists spent between 1.2 and 6.5 hours per week on meetings and paperwork rather than direct patient care. In units with the highest staffing levels, therapy minutes were higher, but even these units struggled to meet guidelines. Administrative burden was the primary barrier to delivering recommended therapy.
• PTOTOther2018Quantification of upper limb position sense using an exoskeleton and a virtual reality display.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA robot and virtual arm let 30 healthy adults identify the smallest elbow angle differences of 7.0 and 5.9 degrees. Repeated scores were fair to good, but shifted slightly after one week, and only healthy adults were tested.
• OTCohort2018The Effect of a Social-Emotional Intervention on the Development of Preterm Infants in Institutions.Infants and young childrenPreterm infants in institutional care with caregiver training and structural changes showed 2.25 points every 3 months faster growth on developmental scores than those in usual care. They still scored below full-term peers.
• PTOTSurvey2018Recognition of roles of various professionals by home-visiting specialists.Journal of physical therapy scienceHome-visiting nurses were widely recognized for explaining and reporting symptom changes. Rehabilitation specialists were less recognized for dementia and end-of-life support. Dieticians had low recognition from other professions, so teams may miss their role.
• OTRCT2018Evaluation of EMG pattern recognition for upper limb prosthesis control: a case study in comparison with direct myoelectric control.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationEMG pattern recognition did not beat direct myoelectric control in one transradial amputee using a 2-DOF prosthesis. Most outcomes were similar, several favored direct control, and dexterity declined one week after pattern recognition training.
• OTOther2018Evaluating Sensory Processing in Fragile X Syndrome: Psychometric Analysis of the Brain Body Center Sensory Scales (BBCSS).Journal of autism and developmental disordersA parent-report sensory questionnaire for people with Fragile X syndrome showed stable scores over two months and consistent ratings across auditory, visual, tactile, eating and digestive areas. It can help describe sensory patterns, but it does not show any treatment works.
• OTSurvey2018Association of posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury with aggressive driving in Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans.Rehabilitation psychologyVeterans with PTSD, with or without TBI, were more likely to say they needed to cut down on aggressive driving. Veterans with TBI alone were not. Ask about aggressive driving in PTSD care.
• PTOTRCT2018Recalibrating disparities in perceived and actual balance abilities in older adults: a mixed-methods evaluation of a novel exergaming intervention.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationOlder adults who played a supervised balance game for eight short sessions showed a closer match between perceived and actual balance. Some gained confidence; others recognised limits and reduced risky movements. Falls were not measured.
• PTOTOther2018The test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change of the short-form Barthel Index (5 items) and its associations with chronic stroke-specific impairments.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 24 chronic stroke patients, the 5-item Barthel Index was stable across tests a week apart and tracked postural control and motor function. A 7.84-point change is the smallest score change unlikely to be random measurement error.
• OTSLPCohort2018From Using Tools to Using Language in Infant Siblings of Children with Autism.Journal of autism and developmental disordersHigh-risk infants who used a spoon functionally at 10 months had better word comprehension at 12 months and word production at 24 and 36 months. Infants later diagnosed with autism showed delayed emergence of these functional actions compared to those without diagnosis.
• OTCohort2018The bidirectional association between sleep problems and autism spectrum disorder: a population-based cohort study.Molecular autismSleep problems in toddlers did not predict later autistic traits once early traits were considered. Autistic traits and ASD in childhood were linked to more sleep problems later, and sleep problems increased over time in children with ASD.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2018What influences decisions about ongoing stroke rehabilitation for patients with pre-existing dementia or cognitive impairment: a qualitative study?Clinical rehabilitationStroke clinicians said dementia knowledge, family history, gut instinct and service limits drove decisions. Many expected pre-existing dementia to mean poor rehab potential, so patients needing more time were deprioritised or moved to compensatory care.
• PTOTSurvey2018Occupation-based differences in shared perceptions of older resident needs within multidisciplinary care teams: a cross-sectional study of care workers, nurses, and therapists linked to older residents.Journal of physical therapy scienceStaff in Japanese care facilities disagreed with each other on what residents wanted. They also missed autonomy needs, underestimating desires for household chores, money management, and exercise.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2018Preferences for Web-Based Information Material for Low Back Pain: Qualitative Interview Study on People Consulting a General Practitioner.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesPatients with low back pain want web apps that are simple to navigate, use plain language, and show exercises via video. They distrust sites with ads or confusing jargon. They prefer apps recommended by their GP, which saves them time searching online.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Prediction of Autism at 3 Years from Behavioural and Developmental Measures in High-Risk Infants: A Longitudinal Cross-Domain Classifier Analysis.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAt the second visit, daily living scores gave a modest signal for later autism in high-risk infants, but early measures did not predict individual outcome. The prediction model was much better at saying an infant would not develop autism than at identifying who would.
• PTOTSLPOther2018An International Clinical Study of Ability and Disability in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the WHO-ICF Framework.Journal of autism and developmental disordersClinician ratings of 122 people with ASD using WHO function categories found frequent difficulties in complex social interaction, attention, stress, communication, and daily tasks. Family, family attitudes, and health-professional support were the most common environmental factors.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2018What do randomized controlled trials say about virtual rehabilitation in stroke? A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of upper-limb and cognitive outcomes.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationVirtual rehabilitation added small to medium gains in arm movement and daily tasks over usual therapy. Both custom systems and game consoles helped, but participation outcomes did not improve.
• OTSLPCohort2018Autism Spectrum Disorder in an Unselected Cohort of Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).Journal of autism and developmental disorders10.9% of children with NF1 were clinically diagnosed with autism, much higher than the general population. Screening tools often missed cases or flagged non-autistic children. Clinicians should combine parent questionnaires and direct observation to accurately identify autism in this group.
• OTNarrative Review2018Evolution of Cognitive Rehabilitation After Stroke From Traditional Techniques to Smart and Personalized Home-Based Information and Communication Technology Systems: Literature Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesStroke-related apraxia, action disorganization and hemiparesis disrupt daily tasks. Traditional cognitive rehabilitation relies on therapist guidance, and home technology systems are emerging, but this review does not show that they improve function.
• OTRCT2018The clinical relevance of advanced artificial feedback in the control of a multi-functional myoelectric prosthesis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn six upper-limb prosthesis users, vibration feedback added to prosthesis training helped some complex tasks become faster but did not help a simple block task. Users found it useful, and benefit changed with practice and task.
• OTSLPCohort2018The Prevalence and Psychopathological Correlates of Sibling Bullying in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with autism are more likely to be involved in two-way sibling bullying than their peers. This involvement is linked to higher anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems, regardless of whether the child has autism.
• PTOTSLPPilot2018Adapting and translating the Mullen Scales of Early Learning for the South African context.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsAcross four language groups, the translated Mullen Scales produced similar total and subscale scores. Older children scored higher than younger children. This supports using the adapted scales with other assessment information, not alone.
• PTOTRCT2018A randomized, double-blind study to assess if vitamin D treatment affects the outcomes of rehabilitation and balance in hemiplegic patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn hemiplegic stroke patients with low vitamin D, a vitamin D injection added to 3 months of rehabilitation showed better balance and daily-life scores than saline. Walking and motor recovery were not clearly improved.
• PTOTPilot2018Computer Assisted REhabilitation (CARE) Lab: A novel approach towards Pediatric Rehabilitation 2.0.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicinePreliminary results from six children with congenital hemiparesis showed higher upper-limb scores, greater shoulder movement, and parent-reported daily-task gains after computer-assisted sessions. The pilot was ongoing, so this does not prove the CARE Lab works.
• PTOTSurvey2018Chronic pain prevalence and associated factors in adolescents with and without physical disabilities.Developmental medicine and child neurologyAdolescents with physical disabilities reported chronic pain more often than peers without disabilities. Pain was linked to depression, anxiety and insomnia, but having both disability and pain did not add extra risk.
• PTOTRCT2018Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis. Part 2: Effect on White Matter Integrity.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairA constraint-induced movement therapy package of intensive more-affected arm training, shaping, transfer procedures and a restraining mitt increased white matter integrity in this small pilot of people with MS. Relaxation, aquatic therapy, massage, music and yoga did not. Components cannot be separated.
• PTOTRCT2018Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis. Part 1: Effects on Real-World Function.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairTen adults with MS who received intensive constraint-induced movement therapy reported using their weaker arm in daily life at 85% of normal levels after treatment, up from 25%. This gain held at one year. The comparison group saw little real-world improvement.
• PTOTRCT2018Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Enhances Motor Skill Learning but Not Generalization in Chronic Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairAdding real anodal tDCS to five days of pinch training raised the trained-task learning score (2.29 vs 1.53), but gave no extra gain on untrained hand tests. Training alone improved those tests.
• PTOTSLPRCT2018Evaluating the effects of delivering integrated kinesthetic and tactile cues to individuals with unilateral hemiparetic stroke during overground walking.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding tactile vibration to a kinesthetic cane did not improve walking symmetry or muscle activity more than the cane alone. Balance measures showed no significant change. The benefits seen at higher speeds were driven by the speed itself, not the added vibration.
• PTOTSLPCohort2018Can Older Adults Accurately Report Their Use of Physical Rehabilitation Services?Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost older Medicare patients accurately reported using PT, OT or speech therapy in the past year. But under-reporting was more likely for Black adults, adults 85 or older, those with less than high school, proxy answers, and inpatient rehab.
• OTCohort2018Psychological well-being in individuals living in the community with traumatic brain injury.Brain injuryPeople after traumatic brain injury who were not working or volunteering reported low life satisfaction, high distress, and cognitive difficulties. Several well-being questions tended to agree, so a single question may not show the whole picture.
• OTOther2018Superior Disembedding in Children with ASD: New Tests Using Abstract, Meaningful, and 3D Contexts.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with ASD found hidden shapes more accurately than typically developing peers on embedded-figures tests. They were slower on meaningful and depth tests. This describes a visual processing pattern, not a treatment effect.
• OTCohort2018The Emergence of Effortful Control in Young Boys With Fragile X Syndrome.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesYoung boys with fragile X showed lower effortful control than typically developing boys from 18 months, and did not improve over time. Higher autism symptoms were linked to lower effortful control, but not to slower growth.
• PTOTRCT2018Post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect: virtual reality-based navigation and detection tasks reveal lateralized and non-lateralized deficits in tasks of varying perceptual and cognitive demands.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke survivors with unilateral spatial neglect missed remembered or shifting left targets by larger distances and were slower to detect targets in a seated virtual-reality task. Standard neglect tests did not track these navigation errors.
• PTOTOther2018The influence of high heeled shoes on balance ability and walking in healthy women.Journal of physical therapy scienceHigher heels worsened balance and walking in healthy young women. At 9 cm, balance time rose to 37.6 s and index fell to 45.6/100, while step length shortened to 51.3 cm. This applies only to healthy adults, not patients with existing deficits.
• OTCohort2018Emotion Control Predicts Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems in Boys With and Without an Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn boys aged 9 to 15, higher worry and repetitive negative thinking predicted more disruptive behavior 18 months later, especially in boys with ASD. More anger, fear, and sadness predicted anxiety and somatic complaints.
• PTOTCohort2018Age-related changes in the tactile pressure sensitivity threshold in the sole of the foot in diabetic patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceOlder diabetic patients had higher tactile pressure sensitivity thresholds in their feet, meaning they needed stronger pressure to feel it. This age-related decline was stronger than the effect of how long they had had diabetes. Clinicians should test the heel as well as the forefoot.
• PTOTNarrative Review2018The Use of Digital and Remote Communication Technologies as a Tool for Multiple Sclerosis Management: Narrative Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesEvidence for MS digital tools is mostly small studies; large trials are lacking, so do not assume they improve outcomes. Many are usable and accepted.
• OTSLPCase-Control2018Processing Speed is Impaired in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Relates to Social Communication Abilities.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdults with autism and no intellectual disability completed symbol coding, number connecting, and animal naming more slowly than controls matched for intelligence. Slower processing speed was linked to worse communication and reciprocal social interaction, not broader social adjustment.
• PTOTCohort2018Changes in biopsychosocial outcomes for a mixed cohort of ICU survivors.The South African journal of physiotherapyPhysical quality of life scores improved over 6 months among 24 ICU survivors. Muscle strength scores changed, while walking distance and mental health changed less clearly, and depression screening stayed mild.
• OTCohort2018Maternal Mental Representations of the Child and Mobile Phone Use During Parent-Child Mealtimes.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPMothers who saw their child as difficult were more likely to actively use a phone during meals. At a structured eating task, phone use was also linked with less rich and sensitive views of the child.
• PTOTCase Report2018Two ways to improve myoelectric control for a transhumeral amputee after targeted muscle reinnervation: a case study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFor a transhumeral amputee with coupled muscle signals after surgery, rehabilitation training failed to separate the signals. Pattern recognition control with specific voltage thresholds significantly improved prosthetic task completion compared to standard methods.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2018Scoping Review of Dance for Adults With Fibromyalgia: What Do We Know About It?JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesEvidence on dance for fibromyalgia is sparse and inconsistent. Most studies combined dance with other therapies, making it impossible to isolate dance's specific effect. Safety was rarely assessed, and methodological flaws in trials prevent firm recommendations for clinical practice.
• PTOTSystematic Review2018Person-Generated Health Data in Simulated Rehabilitation Using Kinect for Stroke: Literature Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesKinect-based stroke rehabilitation systems rarely let patients see their own performance data. Therapists should not assume home users are self-managing their recovery; most systems hide the clinical metrics that would allow it.
• PTOTOther2017The relationship between lower limb muscle strength and lower extremity function in HIV disease.The South African journal of physiotherapyIn HIV-positive adults on HAART, lower limb strength was associated with 50% of self-reported lower limb function. Ankle plantar flexors contributed most, and knee extensors least.
• PTOTSLPCohort2017Early Therapy Services Following Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsMost preterm infants left the NICU with a therapy referral, but 13 of 57 never received therapy by age two. PT was used more often and started earlier on average than OT or SLP.