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 5 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTRNCohort2020Chronic pain 1-5 years after heart transplantation-A nationwide cross-sectional cohort study.Nursing open58% of heart transplant recipients 1-5 years after transplantation reported persistent pain, most often in feet, back and calves. Pain burden was higher in women, those not working, more fatigued, less recovered and with poorer psychological well-being.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2020Exercise for fatigue in breast cancer patients: An umbrella review of systematic reviews.International journal of nursing sciencesAerobic and resistance exercise may reduce cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients. Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong and Pilates have limited or inconsistent evidence, and most evidence was low or moderate quality.
• OTRNQualitative2020Managing an altered social context-Patients experiences of staying away from home while undergoing proton beam therapy.Nursing openPatients with brain tumours staying away for proton beam therapy described daily family contact and peer affinity as calming. Pre-treatment planning and new routines were described as helping maintain family roles, while separation was linked to guilt and worry.
• OTRNOther2020Palliative care in primary health care: scoping review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemPalliative care in primary health care is possible but uneven. Home care, symptom assessment, dignity and caregiver support appear, while training, network organization and resources limit it.
• OTSurvey2020Quality of life of adolescents with cerebral palsy: agreement between self-report and caregiver's report.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemCaregivers of adolescents with cerebral palsy rated the adolescents' quality of life lower than the adolescents did, including physical health and daily activities. Agreement was poor, so ask the adolescent directly when they can self-report.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2020Management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in a pediatric population: A scoping review.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityPediatric CFS/ME management evidence centers on graded activity, CBT, and family-inclusive multidisciplinary programmes; milk intolerance may matter in some adolescents. Evidence is patchy, especially under 12, so use individualized plans, not single fixed treatments.
• OTRNQualitative2020"We Are Here for You All the Way"-Patients' and Relatives' Experiences of Receiving Advanced Home Care.The American journal of hospice & palliative carePatients and relatives described advanced home care as safe because staff answered around the clock, treated them as people, and care at home avoided emergency department visits.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2021Efficacy of Mobile Health for Self-management of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Theory-Guided Systematic Review.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingMobile health tools for heart and diabetes risks showed mixed results. Some studies lowered blood sugar and blood pressure, while others found no difference from usual care. Engagement often dropped over time, and effects varied by the specific condition and tool used.
• OTSurvey2020Development and Validation of the Norfolk Quality of Life Fatigue Tool (QOL-F): A New Measure of Perception of Fatigue.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationA new 35-item questionnaire separated cognitive fatigue, fatigue problems, reduced activity, daily-living tasks and low mood in 409 healthy adults; replication in a larger independent sample is needed.
• PTOTRNCohort2020Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life Predictors in People Living With HIV With and Without Diabetes.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACDepression and anxiety predicted poor quality of life in people with HIV and diabetes. Unlike those with HIV alone, physical activity, medication adherence, and smoking status did not predict quality of life in the dual-diagnosis group.
• PTOTSLPRNSurvey2021Comorbid Conditions, Mental Health and Cognitive Functions in Adults with Fibromyalgia.Western journal of nursing researchPeople with fibromyalgia in their 50s reported the most comorbid conditions and worse sensory symptoms. Those in their 70s reported the best self-rated cognitive function and least severe anxiety. Age shapes the symptom profile but does not predict pain severity.
• OTRNCohort2020Cognitive impairment no dementia and associations with health literacy, self-management skills, and functional health status.Patient education and counselingOlder adults with cognitive impairment not dementia often had limited health literacy and poorer self-management, including medication dosing and recalling spoken guidance. The study did not find links to physical function, depression, or anxiety.
• OTCohort2020Predictors of Residential Care Admission in Community-Dwelling Older People With Dementia.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn older people with dementia, the person or relative saying they would be better off living elsewhere was the strongest factor associated with later residential care. Lower cognition, depression, and living alone raised risk.
• PTOTRNRCT2020Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Health-Related Quality of Life and Physical Performance in Children with Sickle Cell Disease and in Healthy Children.Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & PractitionersTwelve weeks of high-dose vitamin D lowered reported pain, fatigue and depressive symptoms in children with sickle cell disease; healthy children also had less fatigue and better upper-extremity function. No placebo group was included.
• PTOTRNCohort2020Risk of Hospitalized Falls and Hip Fractures in 22,103 Older Adults Receiving Mental Health Care vs 161,603 Controls: A Large Cohort Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults using mental health services had twice the rate of hospitalized falls and 4 times the rate of hip fractures compared with local residents. Substance use, bipolar disorder, dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and delirium carried particularly high risk.
• PTOTSLPRNNarrative Review2021Important perioperative factors, guidelines and outcomes in the management of hip fracture.Journal of perioperative practiceThis review summarises perioperative care for hip fracture patients. It highlights the need for early surgery, prompt mobilisation, and awareness of physical and psychosocial complications. It notes that current risk prediction tools do not yet account for social factors.
• PTOTRNOther2020Identifying unique profiles of perceived dyspnea burden in heart failure.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careHeart failure patients fall into four distinct groups based on how much dyspnea bothers them, not just if they have it. Older patients were less likely to report severe bother despite similar symptoms. Anxiety and depression predicted higher burden. Assessing what activities trigger breathlessness helps tailor care.
• OTRNSystematic Review2020Effects of non-facilitated meaningful activities for people with dementia in long-term care facilities: A systematic review.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)In dementia long-term care, non-facilitated music, dolls, PARO and plush toys showed mixed short-term effects. Some reduced agitation or increased pleasure during activity, but lasting benefit was not established.
• OTRNQualitative2020Exploring dementia family caregivers' everyday use and appraisal of technological supports.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Dementia family caregivers used phones, calendars, alarms, and home devices to coordinate care, manage safety, and find information. Acceptance depended on clear benefit, familiarity, and family tech help. They often tried and changed devices until one fit.
• OTRNOther2021Development and Testing of the Dysmenorrhea Symptom Interference (DSI) Scale.Western journal of nursing researchThe 9-item DSI scale captures how menstrual pain interferes with daily life in girls and women aged 14 to 42. It has on-menses and off-menses versions, and a 0.3-point change was estimated as meaningful, but it did not detect worsening well.
• PTOTRNSystematic ReviewChronic Illness and Fatigue in Older Individuals: A Systematic Review.Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation NursesFatigue in older adults with chronic illness was linked to depression, anxiety, poor sleep, lower activity, and social support. Some interventions, including exercise, rest, anemia treatment, and acetyl-L-carnitine, were linked to less fatigue, but evidence varied.
• OTSLPQualitative2020Multi-cultural perspectives on group singing among diverse older adults.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Diverse older adults described group singing as "feeling good," helping them reconnect with cultural roots and find their voice. They reported improved memory and breathing, but these were subjective experiences, not measured clinical outcomes.
• OTCohort2020Unmet and Unimportant Preferences Among Nursing Home Residents: What Are Key Resident and Facility Factors?Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationFew residents reported unmet preferences for daily routines or activities, but 13.5% to 16.6% said more than half of daily routine preferences were unimportant. Poorer physical function and sensory loss were linked to both; depression was linked to unmet preferences.
• PTOTRNQualitative2020Breaking the vicious circle: Experiences of people in chronic pain on the pain rehabilitation journey.Nursing openEleven people with chronic pain described moving from surviving each day to reconstructing daily life after rehabilitation. They valued being understood, time away from caregiving, and combining exercise, rest, work breaks and pain education. This is experience, not proof any part works.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2020Factors associated with sleep quality during chemotherapy: An integrative review.Nursing openPain, fatigue, depression, distress, and anxiety were the most consistently associated factors with poor sleep quality in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Older age, lower physical functioning, and more comorbidities were also linked to sleep disturbances.
• PTOTRNPilot2020An evidence-based structured one-year programme to sustain physical activity in patients with heart failure in primary care: A non-randomized longitudinal feasibility study.Nursing openSeven patients with heart failure completed a one-year nurse-led programme combining group education and individual activity plans. Self-reported activity and walking distance improved, and participants found the group sessions and personalized goals most helpful. Feasibility was confirmed, but efficacy remains unproven.
• OTPilot2021Implementation effectiveness of psychosocial and environmental care practices in assisted living.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Staff in four assisted living communities used aromatherapy, familiar music, robotic pets, and natural light unevenly. Robotic pets were used most days, natural light least. Staff reported improved confidence, but no resident behavioral outcomes were measured.
• OTQualitative2021Reactions to COVID-19, information and technology use, and social connectedness among older adults with pre-frailty and frailty.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults with pre-frailty or frailty described feeling stressed and isolated during early pandemic restrictions. They used online tools, family, and community support to stay connected, and many said they would use telehealth for minor medical needs.
• OTOther2020Identifying Individuals With Intellectual Disability Within a Population Study.Nursing researchA database method identified 441 adolescents and young adults with intellectual disability by combining low picture vocabulary scores with adaptive limitation reports. It helps researchers find intellectual disability in population data, not clinicians diagnose patients.
• OTQualitative2021Care Transitions to the Community from Veterans Affairs Nursing Homes: Experiences of Social Connection and Disconnection.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationVeterans often lost the social contact they had in a VA nursing home after discharge. Some were isolated without calling it lonely. Ask about daily routines and supports, not just loneliness.
• OTRCT2020A randomized control trial of meditation compared to music listening to improve cognitive function for breast cancer survivors: Feasibility and acceptability.Complementary therapies in clinical practiceIn breast cancer survivors, 12 minutes daily Kirtan Kriya meditation did not differ from classical music listening on cognitive outcomes. Both groups changed over time on several cognitive measures, and the programs were feasible.
• OTOther2020An integrated mental health and vocational intervention: A longitudinal study on mental health changes among young adults.Nursing openDepressive symptoms and empowerment did not clearly change over 12 months in young adults receiving integrated mental health and work support. Quality of life and daily activity engagement improved.
• PTOTRNSurvey2020A Study of Physical Activity, Frailty, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Taiwan.The journal of nursing research : JNRIn 150 community-dwelling older adults, better upper limb strength and flexibility, along with higher physical activity, were linked to higher health-related quality of life. Being prefrail was associated with lower quality of life scores. These are correlations, not evidence that exercise improves outcomes.
• PTOTRNQualitative2021How Context Influences Hospital Readmissions from Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Rapid Ethnographic Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHigh-performing hospitals had better communication flow and shared team expectations, while low-performing sites faced delays from missing nurse huddles and unsigned PT notes. Insurance status and physical office layouts also shaped discharge speed.
• PTOTOther2021Mixed Methods Study of Patient and Primary Care Provider Perceptions of Chronic Pain Treatment.Patient education and counselingPatients with chronic pain said they understood opioid risks and wanted function-focused conversations, while providers believed patients did not understand risks and thought pain reduction was the main goal. Fear, stigma, and time limits shaped both sides.
• PTOTRNNarrative Review2021A Paradigm Shift for Movement-based Pain Assessment in Older Adults: Practice, Policy and Regulatory Drivers.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesPain scores at rest may miss pain that limits older adults' movement and function. This review recommends assessing pain during walking, turning, or daily activities, but these are expert recommendations, not tested interventions.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2020Risk Factors, Presentation, and Course of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in a Large, Academic Long-Term Care Facility.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn a large nursing home, 45.5% of residents who tested positive for COVID-19 had no symptoms at diagnosis. Male sex, bowel incontinence, and staff living in high-prevalence communities were linked to infection, while 30.1% of infected residents died.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2020Predicting hospital outcomes with the reported edmonton frail scale-Thai version in orthopaedic older patients.Journal of clinical nursingPreoperative frailty screening with the REFS-Thai predicted postoperative complications and delirium better than standard medical assessments in older orthopaedic patients. Frail patients had higher odds of complications and longer stays, while apparent frailty also predicted delirium.
• PTOTRNQualitative2021Parents' experiences of VOICE: A novel support programme in the NICU.Nursing in critical careParents of extreme premature infants described structured NICU meetings as helping them feel involved in care, understand their baby's cues, and gain confidence as parents. They valued personalized information and emotional support.
• PTOTQualitative2020Health and social care professionals' experiences of collaborative planning-Applying the person-centred practice framework.Nursing openProfessionals described collaborative planning after discharge as uneven: teamwork improved in some places, but unclear roles, power tensions, administrative meetings and limited time made person-centred care hard. They wanted shared definitions, fewer attendees and planning with patients at home.
• PTOTRCT2021Testing the Implementation of Function-focused Care in Assisted Living Settings.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn assisted living, a function-focused care program slowed resident functional decline over 12 months and increased resident participation in care activities. It did not improve activity measured by monitors, so do not expect those changes.
• PTOTCohort2020Executive Function, Dexterity, and Discharge Disposition in Older Intensive Care Unit Survivors.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesIn older ICU survivors, worse attention and task switching were linked to worse hand dexterity. Those discharged to a facility had lower dexterity and task-switching scores than those discharged home.
• OTRNSurvey2020Insomnia and Daily Function in Older Adults With Asthma.Journal of gerontological nursingIn older adults with asthma, insomnia alone was not linked to daily activity limits after adjustment. 40% had insomnia, and insomnia plus moderate to severe depressive symptoms was more likely to co-occur with limits.
• OTCohort2020Rapid Assessment at Hospital Admission of Mortality Risk From COVID-19: The Role of Functional Status.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn 375 hospitalized adults with COVID-19, lower everyday function at admission was linked to higher risk of dying in hospital, even after age and illnesses were considered.
• OTSurvey2020Buffering Effects of Racial Discrimination on School Engagement: The Role of Culturally Responsive Teachers and Caring School Police.The Journal of school healthStudents experiencing more racial discrimination had lower engagement and worse attitudes toward teachers. Culturally responsive teachers were linked to more engagement. Police caring did not predict outcomes overall, but discrimination was linked to poorer school attitudes only when police caring was low.
• OTQualitative2021Pain and Symptoms after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Should Technology Play a Role in Self-Management?Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesSeven young women recovering from mild brain injury said they lacked clear guidance on managing pain, memory and concentration problems. They wanted a phone app to track symptoms and treatments and share selected information with clinicians, coaches, teachers or family.
• OTRNQualitative2021Assessing acceptability and patient experience of a behavioral lifestyle intervention using fitbit technology in older adults to manage type 2 diabetes amid COVID-19 pandemic: A focus group study.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults with type 2 diabetes described accepting a Fitbit-based lifestyle program. They said tracking diet and activity helped motivation, routines, and perceived blood sugar and weight changes, while pandemic restrictions disrupted exercise and shopping. Some found the app confusing.
• OTSLPRNSystematic Review2021Nutrition and hydration for people living with dementia near the end of life: A qualitative systematic review.Journal of advanced nursingFamilies and staff found feeding decisions in advanced dementia ethically hard. Tube feeding was often seen as prolonging life or protecting rights, despite evidence it does not work. Comfort-focused eating, texture changes, routines, and knowing preferences were reported as supports.
• PTOTSLPRNRCT2021Application of enhanced recovery after surgery in total knee arthroplasty in patients with haemophilia A: A pilot study.Nursing openPatients with haemophilia A recovering from knee replacement had shorter hospital stays, less pain, and better joint function scores when receiving enhanced recovery protocols compared to routine nursing.
• PTOTRNCohort2020Nursing Home Residents Face Severe Functional Limitation or Death After Hospitalization for Pneumonia.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMost nursing home residents hospitalized for pneumonia had severe functional limitation or died within 60 days. Among those without severe prior ADL limitations, 66.3% had this outcome. Discuss likely decline before hospitalizing.