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 70 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTQualitative2020Swedish parents' experiences of their role in treatment for children with congenital limb reduction deficiency: Decision-making and treatment support.Child: care, health and developmentSwedish parents of children with congenital limb reduction deficiency described making treatment choices as both expected and uneasy, wanting clinicians to support their decisions rather than make them. They also carried daily device practice, school coordination, and aftercare duties.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2020The Efficacy of Fall Hazards Identification on Fall Outcomes: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationFall hazard identification programs did not reduce the number of falls in adults over 50. The pooled data showed no benefit compared to usual care. While these programs help identify hazards, they did not lower fall rates in the included trials.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Effects of a dual task and different levels of divided attention on motor-related cortical potential.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn healthy young adults, a moderate dual task increased brain activity before finger tapping, but a complex dual task did not. This suggests that very difficult cognitive tasks may disrupt movement preparation signals rather than enhancing them, offering a potential marker for attentional load.
• PTOTCase Report2021Rhabdomyolysis After the Use of Percussion Massage Gun: A Case Report.Physical therapyA 25-year-old woman developed severe rhabdomyolysis and muscle bruising after using a percussion massage gun on her thighs following cycling. She recovered with hospital treatment, but this single case shows the device can cause serious muscle damage, especially if used without medical supervision.
• OTSurvey2021Brief Report: Parent Perspectives on Sensory-Based Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents valued sensory interventions for their children with autism, but many found them difficult to use due to cost, access, and child resistance. They preferred low-tech, home-based items over specialized equipment. This reflects parental experience, not proof that these treatments work.
• OTSLPSurvey2021The Association Between Autistic Traits and Disordered Eating is Moderated by Sex/Gender and Independent of Anxiety and Depression.Journal of autism and developmental disordersHigher autistic traits correlate with more disordered eating symptoms, but this link is significantly stronger in females than males. The association persists even after accounting for anxiety and depression, suggesting autistic traits are an independent factor in eating disorder risk.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Brain-Computer Interfaces for Communication: Preferences of Individuals With Locked-in Syndrome.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairPeople with locked-in syndrome want communication brain-computer interfaces that allow direct conversation and writing, controlled by imagining movement or speech. They prefer to learn about these aids when they first lose the ability to speak or move, rather than earlier in their disease.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Comorbidity in traumatic brain injury and functional outcomes: a systematic review.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineMost studies found that having additional medical or psychiatric conditions alongside traumatic brain injury predicts poorer recovery. However, results were inconsistent across conditions, and standard comorbidity scores often failed to capture this impact.
• PTOTOther2020Comparison of DEKA Arm and Body-Powered Upper Limb Prosthesis Joint Kinematics.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAble-bodied users wearing a DEKA Arm bypass took significantly longer to complete hand tasks than those using a body-powered prosthesis, with times up to 328% higher. However, the DEKA group moved their joints closer to normal ranges. Neither device proved universally faster or smoother.
• OTCohort2020The use of online support by people with intellectual disabilities living independently during COVID-19.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRUse of an online support service for people with intellectual disabilities spiked immediately after lockdowns began. Unplanned contacts nearly doubled per user in the first few weeks, likely driven by anxiety and lack of information. Planned contacts rose more slowly and steadily over time.
• PTOTOther2020Differences in dual task paradigms and executive function ability for recreational athletes in United Arab Emirates.Journal of physical therapy scienceRecreational athletes showed no significant difference in executive function or dual-task walking speed based on sport type or activity level. Walking while counting backwards slowed gait speed for most participants, regardless of whether they played self-paced or team sports.
• PTOTQualitative2020Perceptions of Physical Activity in African American Older Adults on Hemodialysis: Themes From Key Informant Interviews.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationTen African American older adults on hemodialysis described walking to the mailbox, shopping, or using day care equipment as feasible ways to stay active. They cited pain, lack of motivation, and icy sidewalks as primary barriers, while family encouragement and personal desire to walk again drove their efforts.
• PTOTSurvey2020Effect of health consciousness behavior and health-promoting behavior on the quality of life in elders in South Korea.Journal of physical therapy scienceElders who actively engage in health-promoting behaviors, report better health, and exercise have significantly higher quality of life scores. Simply being health-conscious (knowing about health risks) was not linked to better quality of life outcomes in this group.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Cerebral Palsy Research Network Clinical Registry: Methodology and Baseline Report.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA new cerebral palsy registry has enrolled 1,858 patients across 12 sites. It captures routine care data but currently misses key therapy details like dose and duration, and has high missing data rates for communication and feeding. It is not yet ready to answer questions about which treatments work best.
• PTOTOther2020Pectoralis minor length measurements in three different scapula positions.The South African journal of physiotherapyPectoralis minor length varies significantly depending on scapula position. The passive posterior tilt yields the longest measurement, while the dominant side is consistently shorter than the non-dominant side. Clinicians must specify the position used when assessing or comparing muscle length.
• PTOTOther202124-hour activity for children with cerebral palsy: a clinical practice guide.Developmental medicine and child neurologyA parent-completed checklist covering sleep and activity for children with cerebral palsy took 5 to 10 minutes on average. Clinicians reviewed it in no more than 2 minutes, and pilot feedback was positive, but validation is still needed.
• PTOTPilot2020A Pilot Study of the Feasibility and Effects of Table Tennis Training in Parkinson Disease.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationTable tennis training was safe and feasible for people with mild to moderate Parkinson disease, with high attendance and no adverse events. Balance scores showed a non-significant increase, while depression scores and self-reported activity levels significantly improved.
• PTOTOther2020Muscle Thickness of Anterior Mid-Thigh in Hospitalized Patients: Comparison of Supine and Standing Postures.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationUltrasound measurements of thigh muscle thickness were significantly lower when patients lay down compared to when they stood. For hospitalized patients, supine readings averaged 2.5 cm for men and 2.1 cm for women, versus 3.7 cm and 3.1 cm respectively when standing. Clinicians must account for posture to avoid underestimating muscle mass.
• PTOTSurvey2020Perceived Effect of Socket Fit on Major Lower Limb Prosthetic Rehabilitation: A Clinician and Amputee Perspective.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAmputees and clinicians consistently identify socket fit as the biggest barrier to rehabilitation, yet they define it differently. Patients report pain and volume fluctuation, while clinicians focus on gait mechanics. A shared definition is missing, which may prevent effective problem-solving.
• PTOTOther2020Agreement and Reliability of Clinician-in-Clinic Versus Patient-at-Home Clinical and Functional Assessments: Implications for Telehealth Services.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPatients measuring their own health data at home matched clinicians on average, but individual results varied too widely to be trusted. Only body weight was accurate enough for clinical decisions. Waist size, blood pressure, and fitness tests failed safety checks for remote monitoring.
• PTOTOther2020Quantitative examination of isolated finger flexion associated with function of the flexor digitorum superficialis.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 100 healthy adults, middle and ring fingers flexed more than the index, and small fingers that could flex on their own flexed less than the others; 32.5% of small fingers could not flex on their own.
• OTOther2020Sex Differences in Salience Network Connectivity and its Relationship to Sensory Over-Responsivity in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn autistic youth, girls and boys had similar sensory over-responsivity, but brain connections tied to it differed: in boys, sensory areas; in girls, frontal areas. Anxiety was higher in girls.
• PTOTSystematic Review2020The Effect of Caregiver-Mediated Mobility Interventions in Hospitalized Patients on Patient, Caregiver, and Health System Outcomes: A Systematic Review.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationTeaching caregivers to help hospitalized patients move improved patient independence and reduced caregiver burden. Interventions that also encouraged collaboration with staff reduced length of stay. Evidence is low quality because blinding was impossible and studies varied widely.
• PTOTOther2020Implementing a Pain Assessment Survey and Team Approach Method to Effectively Assess and Treat Pain in Poststroke Patients.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAdding a pain survey to admission and using a team approach meant all poststroke patients were discharged pain free. Without it, 31.7% left with pain. This suggests systematic assessment triggers effective treatment, though the study lacked a control group.
• PTOTCohort2020Fall prediction using decision tree analysis in acute care units.Journal of physical therapy scienceA decision tree model predicted inpatient falls with moderate accuracy (AUC 0.7919). Patients with no fall history and no need for transfer assistance had no falls. For those needing transfer help, a Berg Balance Scale score of 51 or higher indicated low fall risk.
• PTOTOther2021Does gait bout definition influence the ability to discriminate gait quality between people with and without multiple sclerosis during daily life?Gait & postureChanging how long a pause defines the end of a walking bout alters gait quantity counts but not quality metrics like speed or stride length. For clinicians using wearable data, quality measures remain stable across different bout definitions.
• PTOTPilot2021Cardiovascular Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Bimanual Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationCombining brain stimulation with hand therapy did not improve heart rate or blood pressure control in children with cerebral palsy. The study was too small to confirm any benefit, and the treatment did not change autonomic function as hypothesized.
• PTOTSLPOther2020The Effect of Vibration Therapy on Walking Endurance in Children and Young People With Cerebral Palsy: Do Age and Gross Motor Function Classification System Matter?Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationChildren and young people with cerebral palsy walked 12% further on average after 20 weeks of vibration therapy. Those with limited mobility (GMFCS levels III and IV) saw the largest percentage gains, increasing by 40% and 57% respectively. Age did not significantly change the absolute benefit.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Reliability and Validity of the Modified Heckmatt Scale in Evaluating Muscle Changes With Ultrasound in Spasticity.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationThe Modified Heckmatt scale reliably grades muscle fibrosis on ultrasound in patients with spasticity. Agreement was good for both experts and residents, and scores matched quantitative analysis closely. This makes it a practical bedside tool for assessing muscle quality before botulinum toxin injections.
• PTOTNarrative Review2020Physical Examination of the Ankle: A Review of the Original Orthopedic Special Test Description and Scientific Validity of Common Tests for Ankle Examination.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationNo single ankle special test reliably diagnoses ligament tears. Sensitivity ranges from 32% to 100% depending on the test and method, and many lack any accuracy data. Diagnosis requires combining test results with patient history and signs, not relying on one maneuver.
• PTOTOther2020Validation of Persian Version of Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Analysis.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationThe Persian Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation works well for measuring pain, specific tasks, and usual activities separately. Clinicians should report these three subscales rather than a single total score to capture distinct aspects of disability.
• PTOTCase Report2020Twenty-four-hour ambulatory oximetry monitoring in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for assisting in the discharge instruction on activities of daily living: a case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceOne patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis desaturated during bathing without feeling short of breath. Specific movement and breathing instructions reduced the time his oxygen saturation stayed below 90% from 14.3% to 7.7%.
• OTSLPCohort2020Sex Differences in Social Participation of High School Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchHigh school students with autism had very low social participation regardless of sex. On average, they had 8 interactions in two weeks with only two peers. Females did not have more friends or interactions than males, though they texted and called friends more often.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Retracted articles in rehabilitation: just the tip of the iceberg? A bibliometric analysis.Archives of physiotherapyRetracted rehabilitation articles are increasing, but they remain rare at about 0.1% of publications. Most retractions appear in non-open-access journals, and many flawed studies continue to be cited years after withdrawal, risking patient harm.
• PTOTSystematic Review2020To stimulate or not to stimulate? A rapid systematic review of repetitive sensory stimulation for the upper-limb following stroke.Archives of physiotherapyRepetitive sensory stimulation showed immediate gains in grip and hand function in small trials, but these benefits did not persist after weeks of treatment. There is no evidence to support its routine use for upper-limb recovery after stroke.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2020Effect of Early Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation for Trauma Patients: A Systematic Review.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationEarly interdisciplinary rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury showed no clear overall benefit. Some studies reported better function or cognition, but the review included only four low-quality studies and found no strong evidence.
• PTOTCase-Control2020Relation of Musculoskeletal Strength and Function to Postural Stability in Ambulatory Adults With Cerebral Palsy.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn adults with cerebral palsy, leg strength and hip bone shape relate to balance. Bone density at the hip does not. Low hip bone density in this group is common and should not be assumed to be the main driver of poor balance.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Screening Program for People With Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAn interdisciplinary screening program for Parkinson’s disease was feasible and sustainable. It identified high fall risk and soft speech, leading to 98% of participants being referred to rehabilitation services, though only half started care within the system.
• OTQualitative2021Safe environments-Through the eyes of 9-year-old schoolchildren from a socially vulnerable area in Sweden.Child: care, health and development9-year-olds in a vulnerable Swedish area defined safety by what they could see and do: bright, clean, colourful spaces with fun activities and trusted people nearby. They felt unsafe in dark, dirty, isolated places or where they risked physical harm.
• PTOTOther2021Effects of prolonged walking with body borne load on knee adduction biomechanics.Gait & postureCarrying 30 kg increased knee adduction moment by 37%, a magnitude linked to osteoarthritis risk. Walking for 60 minutes increased knee adduction angle by 24%. Neither load nor duration changed biomechanical variability. These findings suggest military load carriage stresses the medial knee.
• PTOTCohort2021Comparison of forward and backward postural perturbations in mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease.Gait & posturePeople with Parkinson's disease showed no difference from controls in the number of steps taken to recover balance after backward or forward perturbations. However, a detailed analysis of body sway identified a distinct difference during forward stepping, suggesting subtle motor control issues that standard step counts miss.
• PTOTCohort2020Relation of chair rising ability to activities of daily living and physical activity in Parkinson's disease.Archives of physiotherapyParkinson's patients who need to push off the chair with their arms have significantly lower independence and physical activity than those who rise normally. This simple observation helps identify who needs extra support, though it reflects existing decline rather than predicting future loss.
• PTOTCohort2020Factors Associated With Prolonged Length of Stay and Failed Lower Limb Prosthetic Fitting During Inpatient Rehabilitation.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationDespite prescreening, 21.4% of amputees failed prosthetic fitting. Above-knee amputation and low initial function predicted longer stays. Dependence in dressing and unhealed skin predicted fitting failure. Age and sex did not predict outcomes.
• PTOTCohort2020Evolution of service metrics and utilisation of objective discharge criteria in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction rehabilitation: a retrospective cohort study with historical control in a public hospital physiotherapy department.Archives of physiotherapyA phase-based ACL rehabilitation program increased physiotherapist use of objective outcome measures and lengthened treatment duration, but did not improve rehabilitation completion rates or patient-reported knee function compared to standard care.
• PTOTPilot2020The SitLess With MS Program: Intervention Feasibility and Change in Sedentary Behavior.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA 15-week telerehabilitation program helped people with MS reduce daily sitting time by about 48 minutes. Participants found it acceptable and feasible, with no increase in fatigue, though the study lacked a control group to confirm the intervention caused the change.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Sleep Assessments for Children With Severe Cerebral Palsy: A Scoping Review.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationNo single sleep assessment captures all relevant domains for children with severe cerebral palsy undergoing postural care. Clinicians should pair the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children with actigraphy to track changes over months, as no individual instrument met all suitability criteria.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2020Complications After Dual Placement of a Baclofen Pump and Ventricular Shunt in Individuals With Severe Brain Injury.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn 9 patients with severe brain injury who received both a baclofen pump and a ventricular shunt, 8 experienced complications. Most issues occurred within 4 days of the second implant. The authors recommend testing the first system, starting baclofen slowly, and monitoring closely.
• PTOTOther2020Effects of Visual Feedback During Recumbent Stepping in Individuals With Chronic Stroke.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationEleven people with chronic stroke improved sit-to-stand speed and fast-walking stride length after eight sessions on a recumbent stepper that displayed real-time left-right effort. Because there was no control group, it is impossible to say whether the visual feedback itself caused these gains.
• PTOTRCT2020Comparison of Relative Benefits of Mirror Therapy and Mental Imagery in Phantom Limb Pain in Amputee Patients at a Tertiary Care Center.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationBoth mirror therapy and mental imagery reduced phantom limb pain over 12 months. Mirror therapy produced a greater reduction in pain scores, dropping from 7.07 to 2.74, compared to mental imagery, which dropped from 7.85 to 5.87.
• PTOTCohort2020Kinematic Measures of Bimanual Performance are Associated With Callosum White Matter Change in People With Chronic Stroke.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn chronic stroke, poorer bimanual movement quality links to reduced integrity in the corpus callosum, not the main motor tract. This suggests the brain's bridge between hemispheres drives coordination problems, offering a specific target for bimanual therapy.