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 4 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTRNMeta-Analysis2019How do "robopets" impact the health and well-being of residents in care homes? A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative evidence.International journal of older people nursingRobopets significantly reduced agitation in residents with dementia, but showed no pooled effect on loneliness, depression or quality of life. Engagement varied widely: some residents sought them out, others found them irritating or infantilising. They are not a replacement for human interaction.
• PTOTRNQualitative2020Trapped in my lungs and fighting a losing battle. A phenomenological study of patients living with chronic obstructive and pulmonary disease.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesNine people with COPD described breathlessness as the centre of daily life. They monitored oxygen levels, avoided triggers, and cut back showering, outings and exercise. Staying active felt necessary but like fighting a losing battle.
• PTOTRNOther2020Impact of Function Focused Care and Physical Activity on Falls in Assisted Living Residents.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresModerate physical activity was associated with a slightly lower risk of falling in assisted living residents. Exposure to function focused care was not significantly associated with falls. Neither activity nor the care approach increased fall risk, challenging the belief that movement causes falls.
• PTOTSLPRNPilot2019Feasibility and Acceptability of a Self-Report Activity Diary in Families of Children With and Without Special Needs.Comprehensive child and adolescent nursingParents and older children with special needs successfully completed activity diaries, but found the format burdensome and unacceptable. Two-thirds of parents suggested changes, such as adding categories for grooming or switching to an online format.
• OTQualitative2020A Qualitative Exploration of Choral Singing in Community-dwelling Older Adults.Western journal of nursing researchNineteen older adults in PACE day centers described weekly choir as something they loved, bringing joyful time together and feeling uplifted when performing for others. They noted few negatives, including too religious music and limited director availability.
• PTOTRNCohort2019Heart Rate Variability and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Non-Hispanic Black Versus Non-Hispanic White Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingNon-Hispanic Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes had lower heart rate variability and fitness than White peers, linked to poorer glucose control. Female adolescents also showed lower values. These markers suggest higher cardiovascular risk in these groups.
• PTOTOther2019Use of the School Setting During the Summer Holidays: Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Food and Fun Clubs in Wales.The Journal of school healthChildren at summer holiday clubs in schools were more active and ate healthier food than at home. Over half of parents reported food lasted longer and they skipped fewer meals. The school setting and trusted staff helped families engage.
• PTOTRNCohort2019The association of patient-reported improvement and rehabilitation characteristics with mortality.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults who reported their function got worse during rehabilitation had significantly higher odds of dying within a year compared to those who improved. This risk persisted even after accounting for age, sex, and health conditions, suggesting patient-reported outcomes can help identify high-risk patients.
• PTOTCohort2019Oral Health, Disability and Physical Function: Results From Studies of Older People in the United Kingdom and United States of America.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn older adults, tooth loss, dry mouth, poor self-rated oral health, and several oral problems were associated with mobility limitations, self-care and household task problems, and slow gait or weak grip.
• PTOTQualitative2020Strategies older adults use in their work to get back to normal following hospitalization.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults recovering from hospitalization described 'pushing themselves' through exercise and resuming daily tasks to regain function. They relied heavily on family encouragement and provider feedback to set safe limits, while pain and lack of energy stopped progress.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2020Meta-analysis and GRADE profiles of exercise interventions for falls prevention in long-term care facilities.Journal of advanced nursingExercise did not significantly reduce falls overall, but balance-focused and longer-than-six-month programs showed promise. Frail residents faced an increased fall risk from exercise. Technical devices showed moderate-confidence benefits, while tai chi reduced fear of falling without reducing actual falls.
• OTSLPQualitative2020Recalibrating hope: A longitudinal study of the experiences of people with aphasia after stroke.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesFour people with aphasia kept broad hope while revising specific hopes over the year after stroke. Hope depended on perceived progress, meaningful roles, and social connection.
• OTOther2019Evaluating Home Healthcare Workers' Safety Hazard Detection Ability Using Virtual Simulation.Home healthcare nowHome healthcare workers and students correctly spotted obvious hazards in a virtual home but often missed subtle ones, including towel rods, missing grab bars, poor lighting, and oxygen-related risks. The results show which hazards were easy to miss.
• OTCohort2020Leisure Activities and All-Cause Mortality Among the Chinese Oldest-Old Population: A Prospective Community-Based Cohort Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn 30,070 Chinese adults aged 80+, more frequent leisure activities were linked with lower risk of death. More activities showed lower risk. Observational, so it cannot prove leisure extends life.
• PTOTRNOther2020Gender Differences in Function, Physical Activity, Falls, Medication Use, and Life Satisfaction Among Residents in Assisted Living Settings.Research in gerontological nursingIn assisted living residents, women reported higher satisfaction with activities and received more medications than men. Function, physical activity, falls, and other satisfaction scores did not differ by gender.
• OTRNSurvey2019Functional and self-care capacity of people with multiple sclerosis.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemMost outpatients with MS had self-care capacity (82.1%), but 51.2% were moderately dependent for basic tasks. Higher disability and older age were linked to greater dependence.
• OTRNSurvey2019Caregiver Burden and Its Associated Factors in Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Conditions.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyMost caregivers of children with chronic conditions reported mild burden, but nearly half experienced moderate to severe stress. Financial strain, low education, and lack of family support were key drivers. Clinicians should screen for these specific risks rather than assuming all caregivers cope equally.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2020Promoting Behavioral Change in Mobile Health Interventions for Older Adults: A Scoping Review.Research in gerontological nursingMobile health interventions for adults 60 and older generally increased physical activity, medication adherence, and disease self-management. Feedback, monitoring, and goal-setting were the most common techniques used to drive these changes.
• OTRCT2019Attention control group activities and perceived benefit in a trial of a behavioral intervention for older adults.Research in nursing & healthIn the attention control arm of a home-based trial, older adults with daily-living difficulty often chose conversation and games. They reported perceived benefit, but this is self-report, not proof an intervention works.
• OTRNSurvey2019Predicting the functional independence during the recovery phase for poststroke patients.Nursing openThe largest group of stroke survivors reported low confidence in their functional independence. Confidence differed by age, rural versus urban living, recurrent stroke, and knowing their diagnosis.
• PTOTRNQualitative2019Caring for a stroke patient: The burden and experiences of primary caregivers in Uganda - A qualitative study.Nursing openUgandan stroke caregivers described sudden duties, financial strain and exhaustion. Recovery brought relief; death brought grief. They valued listening and support from staff and family, but lacked supplies, rehabilitation and follow-up.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2019Frailty syndrome and cognitive impairment in older adults: systematic review of the literature.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemThe pooled results were mixed. Frail older adults were 1.24 times more likely to have cognitive decline in one analysis, but another analysis did not show a significant association.
• OTRNQualitative2020Residents' use and perceptions of residential care facility gardens: A behaviour mapping and conversation study.International journal of older people nursingResidents used care home gardens mainly to sit, socialise and relax, often placed there by staff. They valued sensory stimulation and memories, but struggled with long corridors, heavy doors and uneven ground. Many wished for more active tasks like gardening, which were rarely offered.
• PTOTRNPilot2019Family-Centered Care During Constraint-Induced Therapy After Chronic Stroke: A Feasibility Study.Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation NursesA carepartner program given with constraint-induced therapy after stroke was feasible: all seven survivors completed 10 sessions, with no adverse events. Descriptive caregiver and survivor gains occurred, but the small single-group study cannot separate the program from therapy.
• PTOTRNSurvey2020Outcome Priorities for Older Persons With Sarcopenia.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults with sarcopenia valued mobility most (30%), then household tasks (22%), falls (18%), fatigue (17%), and quality of life (14%). Ask which outcomes matter before setting goals.
• PTOTCohort2020The Longitudinal Associations of Handgrip Strength and Cognitive Function in Aging Americans.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationEvery 5-kilogram higher handgrip was linked with being less likely to have future cognitive impairment, and any cognitive impairment was linked with a 1.09-kilogram lower handgrip. This is an association, not proof grip strength causes cognitive decline.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2020Prevalence of Hospital-Associated Disability in Older Adults: A Meta-analysis.Journal of the American Medical Directors Association30% of older adults lose independence in daily activities such as bathing, dressing, toilet use or eating after acute hospitalization. Check ADL status on admission and discharge, because loss is associated with nursing home placement and death.
• OTRNOther2019Predictors of instrumental activities of daily living in community-dwelling older adults.Archives of psychiatric nursingOlder adults who were better at holding and changing information in working memory performed more accurately at managing medications and finances. No measured thinking skill predicted shopping or phone and letter tasks.
• OTRNQualitative2020Persons' Experiences of Suffering from Nephrotic Syndrome.Journal of renal careAdults with nephrotic syndrome felt ill and well at once, followed treatment without questioning, and stayed uncertain because they lacked guidance on causes, prognosis, and self-management.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Frailty and Neurocognitive Impairment: Impacts on Quality of Life in HIV.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACFrailty, but not cognitive impairment, was linked to lower quality of life in people with HIV. Frail participants had significantly worse physical and mental health scores than robust ones. This association was specific to the HIV-positive group, suggesting frailty screening is vital for this population.
• PTOTRNQualitative2020Using the Social Ecological Model to Identify Drivers of Nutrition Risk in Adult Day Settings Serving East Asian Older Adults.Research in gerontological nursingEast Asian older adults described eating more when meals were familiar and peers encouraged them. Staff noted language, cognition, swallowing, medication, and family barriers.
• OTCohort2020Residential Greenness and Frailty Among Older Adults: A Longitudinal Cohort in China.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationLiving in greener neighborhoods was linked with less frailty among 16,238 older Chinese adults. The link was seen in urban areas but not rural areas.
• PTOTQualitative2020In the hands of nurses: A focus group study of how nurses perceive and promote inpatients' needs for physical activity.Nursing openNurses said inpatient physical activity depended on their daily priorities and ward routines. They described pain relief, waiting for tests, staff shortages and unfamiliar conditions as blockers, and valued physiotherapy or occupational therapy support for mobilization.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2020A new conceptual model of experiences of aging in place in the United States: Results of a systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative studies.International journal of nursing studiesAging in place is an active negotiation, not passive residence. Older adults balance threats to identity, connection, and home against their agency. Without resources, staying put can mean isolation, loss of dignity, and unsafe conditions rather than preferred independence.
• PTOTRNNarrative Review2020Proactive Rehabilitation for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.Seminars in oncology nursingScreen oncology patients for motor deficits using simple tests like the Five Times Sit-to-Stand or Timed Up and Go. Refer to physical or occupational therapy early to address balance and dexterity issues. Recommend exercise to help manage chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2020Effect of Age on Longitudinal Changes in Symptoms, Function, and Outcome in the First Year After Mild-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience NursesOlder adults with mild-moderate brain injury report more balance and coordination problems and worse physical health than younger adults in the first year. They also have higher risk of repeat falls. Screen for these specific issues and refer to balance programs.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Social Participation of Older Adults: A Concept Analysis.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferySocial participation for older adults requires active engagement in community activities, interaction with others, resource sharing, and personal satisfaction. It is distinct from social support or networks. Nurses and therapists can use this definition to identify patients who are isolated versus those who simply have low activity levels.
• PTOTRNCohort2020Determinants of Maintenance and Recovery of Function in a Representative Older Community-Resident Biracial Sample.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAbout three quarters of older adults stayed independent in basic self-care over six years. Nearly half of those who became impaired recovered, and recovery was linked to younger age, no recent hospitalization, and larger household.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2020Omission of nursing care in hospitalization units.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemNurses and technicians reported omitting basic care frequently, especially getting patients out of bed, walking them three times daily, joining team meetings, and teaching families for discharge. Staff shortages and sudden patient surges were the main reasons.
• PTOTRNRCT2020Visual feedback therapy for restoration of upper limb function of stroke patients.International journal of nursing sciencesStroke patients who added visual feedback therapy to conventional stroke care and rehabilitation had better upper limb movement and daily independence after 8 weeks, and the advantage remained at 2 months in the 17 followed patients.
• PTOTRCT2020Effects of Ving Tsun sticking-hand training on upper-limb sensorimotor performance in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults: A randomized controlled trial.International journal of nursing sciencesThree months of Ving Tsun sticking-hand training did not improve elbow-joint position sense or maximum upper-limb strength in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. It did reduce the time shoulder flexors took to reach maximum force.
• OTRNRCT2020One Year of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Adherence Improves Cognition in Older Adults With Mild Apnea and Mild Cognitive Impairment.Nursing researchMemory did not show a significant improvement, but in 17 older adults with mild sleep apnea and mild cognitive impairment, those who used CPAP at least 4 hours nightly with adherence support showed better processing speed than those who used it less.
• PTOTRNRCT2020Effect of Delirium on Physical Function in Noncardiac Thoracic Surgery Patients.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesDelirium after major noncardiac thoracic surgery did not significantly change muscle strength scores. Patients with delirium had lower self-reported independence at discharge, but this was a secondary outcome in a small analysis.
• OTRNSystematic Review2020Impact of congenital heart disease on siblings: A review.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityParents and siblings report that healthy siblings of children with congenital heart disease can feel neglected, jealous, and worried, with changes in school, social life, and family routines. The evidence is old and often parent-reported.
• PTOTRNCohort2020Effects of Statins for Secondary Prevention on Functioning and Other Outcomes Among Nursing Home Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationStarting statins after AMI in frail nursing home residents was associated with an average 16-day increase in survival time over one year. It was not associated with differences in functional decline or rehospitalization.
• PTOTRNOther2020Sensory and cognitive functions, gait ability and functionality of older adults.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn older adults, slower gait, shorter steps and lower cadence were linked to more dependence in daily activities. Some sensory tests were not. Use gait and function scores as markers, not proof that treating them prevents dependency.
• OTRNQualitative2020A qualitative study of living with the burden from heart failure treatment: Exploring the patient capacity for self-care.Nursing openHeart failure patients said their ability to manage treatment fluctuated. They used personal strength, sometimes ignored the illness, set attainable goals, limited information, and relied on nurses, family, and peers.
• PTOTPilot2020Yoga improves balance, mobility, and perceived occupational performance in adults with chronic brain injury: A preliminary investigation.Complementary therapies in clinical practiceEight weeks of group yoga, including physical postures, breath work, affirmations, and meditation/relaxation, was associated with improved balance, walking distance, and perceived occupational performance in seven adults with chronic brain injury; balance confidence, pain, and performance satisfaction did not change.
• OTCohort2020Development and Validation of a Nomogram for Predicting the 6-Year Risk of Cognitive Impairment Among Chinese Older Adults.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationA simple chart using age, daily function, MMSE, stroke, chewing, vision, TV/radio, and pets estimated six-year cognitive impairment risk in Chinese adults aged 65 and above without baseline impairment and matched observed risk in a second cohort.
• OTOther2020Leave of absence due to depression.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn workers on leave for depression in Piauí, Brazil, those aged 40 or more, rural workers, and those with recurrent severe depression with psychotic symptoms were more likely to be absent for 60 days or more.