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 80 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTCohort2021Mealtime behaviours of young children with sensory food aversions: An observational study.Australian occupational therapy journalMealtimes averaged 17.5 minutes in 21 children with sensory food aversions. They accepted 18.2 preferred bites and 1.5 targeted bites. Longer mealtimes and licking were linked to targeted food acceptance; caregiver strategies were not.
• OTOther2021Rasch Analysis of the Norwegian Version of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire in a Sample of Occupational Therapy Students.Occupational therapy internationalThe Norwegian Occupational Balance Questionnaire failed to work as intended in students. It could not separate high from low performers, showed signs of two distinct factors rather than one, and had biased items. It is currently unsuitable for clinical practice or research.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Validity of the Rotterdam Elderly Pain Observation Scale for institutionalised cognitively impaired Dutch adults.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRThe Rotterdam Elderly Pain Observation Scale reliably detects pain in institutionalised adults with intellectual disabilities. A score of 3 or higher indicates likely pain, though specificity is moderate. It also appears valid for subgroups with autism or Down syndrome, despite small sample sizes in those analyses.
• PTOTOther2021Effects of cane use on walking parameters and lower limb muscle activity in adults with spastic cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study.Journal of physical therapy scienceWalking with two canes slowed adults with cerebral palsy compared to walking unaided. However, it also reduced lower limb muscle activity. Muscle coactivation patterns did not change, suggesting the cane reduces physical burden but does not alter underlying motor control strategies.
• PTOTQualitative2021Beneficial and limiting factors in return to work after primary total knee replacement: Patients' perspective.Work (Reading, Mass.)Patients identified four themes influencing return to work: rehabilitation, patient factors, occupational factors, and medical support. Physical therapists who coached gently and set realistic expectations were most helpful. Patients needed control over their work pace and felt surgeons often lacked knowledge of their specific job demands.
• OTMeta-Analysis2021Protocols Used by Occupational Therapists on Shoulder Pain after Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Occupational therapy internationalAdding electrical stimulation, taping, or dry needling to standard care reduced shoulder pain and improved arm movement in people after stroke. However, these results rest on only four small trials, so the benefit is real but the size of the effect is uncertain.
• PTOTPilot2021A wearable ring-shaped inertial system to identify action planning impairments during reach-to-grasp sequences: a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationPeople with dysexecutive mild cognitive impairment moved slower and adjusted their grip less when planning different tasks compared to healthy controls. A wearable finger ring captured these differences, but the study is too small to confirm it works as a diagnostic tool.
• PTOTOther2021Efficacy of multi-wave locked system laser therapy on nerve regeneration after crushing in Wister rats.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn rats with crushed sciatic nerves, MLS laser therapy improved nerve function, electrical conduction, and physical healing compared to untreated injured nerves. This is preclinical animal data only. It does not yet show that the laser helps human patients recover from nerve injuries.
• PTOTRCT2021Effects of a 6-month exercise programme on disease activity, physical and functional parameters in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: Randomised controlled trial.The South African journal of physiotherapyA 6-month swimming and land-based exercise programme improved spinal mobility, function, disease activity and aerobic capacity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Blood markers of inflammation did not change, and the programme did not worsen disease activity.
• OTQualitative2021United Nations Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities (UNCRPD) Implementation: Perspectives of Persons with Disabilities in Namibia.Occupational therapy internationalPersons with disabilities in Namibia reported that most people do not know the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This lack of rights awareness, combined with stigma, inaccessible infrastructure, and limited financial opportunities, prevents them from claiming their rights or participating in society.
• OTSLPRCT2021Examining a stepped-care telehealth program for parents of young children with autism: a proof-of-concept trial.Molecular autismParents using a stepped-care website for imitation training had higher fidelity and self-efficacy than usual care. Children in the program showed better parent-reported social communication, but objective imitation scores did not reach significance.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Cardiovascular health status of taxi/for-hire vehicle drivers in the United States: A systematic review.Work (Reading, Mass.)US taxi drivers show high rates of cardiovascular risks like hypertension, obesity, and inactivity, but evidence is weak due to small, unrepresentative convenience samples. Screening may be warranted, but findings cannot be generalized to all drivers.
• PTOTRCT2021A robot goes to rehab: a novel gamified system for long-term stroke rehabilitation using a socially assistive robot-methodology and usability testing.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke patients rated a robot-guided game and a computer-screen version of the same game as similarly helpful and enjoyable, with no significant difference between the two. Both groups found the system acceptable, and technical errors did not reduce trust or willingness to keep training.
• OTSurvey2021Clinicians' Views on the Need for Cultural Adaptation of Intervention for Children with ADHD from the Ultraorthodox Community.Occupational therapy internationalTherapists treating Ultraorthodox children with ADHD report needing to adapt communication methods and visual materials. Parents often lack knowledge about the condition's biological basis, and stigma leads to hiding diagnoses. Standard digital contact and culturally mismatched images hinder engagement.
• PTOTRCT2021Technology-supported sitting balance therapy versus usual care in the chronic stage after stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding T-Chair sitting-balance training to usual care (physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy with strength, conditioning, task-oriented exercises) was feasible, safe, and improved trunk function, maximum gait speed and balance more than usual care alone.
• PTOTCohort2021Preoperative physical activity and functional performance levels are predictors of acute postoperative outcomes in a private South African colorectal cancer cohort.The South African journal of physiotherapyIn this colorectal surgery cohort, patients with lower preoperative vigorous activity stayed in hospital longer, and those with poorer functional performance had more postoperative complications. Screening these two factors before surgery may help identify patients at higher risk for a difficult recovery.
• OTSLPCohort2021Cataloguing and characterizing interests in typically developing toddlers and toddlers who develop ASD.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchFor toddlers at high risk for autism, the unusualness of their interests, not just their intensity, better distinguished those who developed ASD from those who did not. High-risk siblings showed more intense interests than low-risk peers, regardless of diagnosis.
• OTPilot2021Combined Effects of Virtual Reality and Computer Game-Based Cognitive Therapy on the Development of Visual-Motor Integration in Children with Intellectual Disabilities: A Pilot Study.Occupational therapy internationalThirteen children with intellectual disabilities improved on motor skills and visual perception tests after combined VR and computer game therapy. However, the specific visual-motor integration score showed no significant change. Do not assume this combination works for integration.
• OTSLPSurvey2021Social identities and mental well-being in autistic adults.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults who feel a stronger sense of belonging to their autistic identity, their family, or multiple social groups report lower depression and higher positive mental health. However, autistic traits were a much stronger predictor of well-being than social identity, and having fewer groups was common.
• OTProtocol2021Understanding work participation among employees with common mental disorders: What works, for whom, under what circumstances and how? A systematic realist review protocol.Work (Reading, Mass.)No findings are reported.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Taxi drivers and modifiable health behaviors: Is stress associated?Work (Reading, Mass.)Most taxi drivers had poor nutrition and low physical activity. Stress predicted sleep disturbances and smoking, but not diet or exercise. These behaviors mostly occurred independently, suggesting separate interventions are needed for each problem rather than a single stress-reduction program.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Prospective and detailed behavioral phenotyping in DDX3X syndrome.Molecular autismChildren with DDX3X syndrome show severe delays in walking, talking, and self-care, often with low muscle tone and unusual gait. They frequently meet criteria for autism and ADHD, and seek intense sensory input rather than avoiding it. Expect profound developmental support needs.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021The Systemic Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training: A Systematic Review.International journal of sports physical therapyBlood flow restriction training improves strength and aerobic capacity with low loads, but dosing varies widely. It appears safe for healthy adults and some cardiac patients, though it increases perceived exertion and discomfort initially. Evidence for older adults and long-term systemic effects remains limited.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Accuracy of the SWAY Mobile Cognitive Assessment Application.International journal of sports physical therapyThe SWAY cognitive app produced similar reaction time scores across iPhone and Samsung devices, but only one iPad and two Pixel tests were run. It correlated weakly to moderately with the ImPACT QT, meaning the two apps are not interchangeable for clinical decisions.
• PTOTCohort2021Dynamic balancing responses in unilateral transtibial amputees following outward-directed perturbations during slow treadmill walking differ considerably for amputated and non-amputated side.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWhen pushed outward on the amputated side while walking slowly, amputees cannot use ankle strategies to stabilize. They must wait for the non-amputated leg to step across, causing large body shifts. On the non-amputated side, their balance response matches people without amputation.
• PTOTQualitative2021A day in the life: a qualitative study of clinical decision-making and uptake of neurorehabilitation technology.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTherapists at a tech-rich hospital rarely used devices because setup took too long and games did not match functional goals. They chose familiar tasks instead. Developers must prove devices save time and directly support daily living activities to be adopted.
• PTOTRCT2021Efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA with standardized occupational therapy for treatment of pediatric upper limb spasticity: Phase III placebo-controlled randomized trial.NeuroRehabilitationOnabotulinumtoxinA plus occupational therapy significantly reduced upper limb spasticity in children compared to placebo plus occupational therapy. However, it did not significantly improve overall clinical impression of change or active functional goals at the primary time point, though passive goals showed some benefit.
• PTOTOther2021A standardized protocol for the comprehensive assessment of dental hygiene work.Work (Reading, Mass.)A new video protocol allows accurate, standardized observation of dental hygiene tasks. It achieved good-to-excellent reliability for posture and activity coding, offering a tool to identify specific musculoskeletal risk factors in this high-prevalence profession.
• OTSystematic Review2021Coaching Parents of Children with Sensory Integration Difficulties: A Scoping Review.Occupational therapy internationalCoaching parents of children with autism and sensory difficulties showed promise in four small studies, improving parent competence and child behavior. However, evidence is preliminary, designs varied widely, and long-term maintenance is unproven.
• OTSurvey2021Unemployment and mental health in a community population from a border city in Mexico.Work (Reading, Mass.)Unemployed adults in a Mexican city reported worse mental health than those working, studying, or retired. Housewives had the next-worst scores. Women reported worse mental health than men. Education level made no difference. Being temporarily stopped from work was linked to the best scores.
• OTSLPRCT2021Randomized controlled trial of sulforaphane and metabolite discovery in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Molecular autismSulforaphane did not significantly improve the primary measure of autism severity compared to placebo. However, caregivers reported significant improvements in behavior problems at 15 weeks. Blood markers showed the compound reached the body and altered inflammation and mitochondrial function.
• PTOTPilot2021A smartphone-based online system for fall detection with alert notifications and contextual information of real-life falls.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA smartphone system detected 27 of 37 reported falls over 90 days, but missed 10 and raised 45 false alerts. It captured fall location, weather, and activity context.
• OTQualitative2021(Dis)Ability-informed Mentors Support Occupational Performance for College Students with Learning Disabilities and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders through Problem Solving and a Focus on Strengths.The British journal of occupational therapyMentors with disability knowledge co-created strategies with students, moving beyond academics to cover executive function, adult life skills, and stress. This holistic support helped students manage LD/ADHD challenges across social and daily contexts, not just in class.
• PTOTNarrative Review2021Understanding the Process and Challenges for Return-to-Work Post-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation from a Musculoskeletal Perspective: A Narrative Review.Occupational therapy internationalUsing a musculoskeletal return-to-work model for post-HCT patients is expert consensus, not tested evidence. Functional capacity evaluation and job evaluation can guide individualized plans, with monitoring for unpredictable complications.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health, wellbeing, and access to services of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Research in developmental disabilitiesMore than half of caregivers in Chile and over 40% of adults with intellectual disabilities in the U.S. reported worsening mental health during the pandemic. Loss of disability services and physical health problems were linked to increased mental health symptoms in the U.S. sample.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2021Emerging Role of Ultrasound in Dysphagia Assessment and Intervention: A Narrative Review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesUltrasound shows promise for bedside dysphagia screening, measuring hyoid movement and guiding injections. However, diagnostic accuracy varies widely, and no standard protocols exist. Use it only as a supplementary tool, not a replacement for formal swallowing assessments.
• OTSurvey2021Occupational Therapy Services in School-Based Practice: A Pediatric Occupational Therapy Perspective from Ireland.Occupational therapy internationalIrish school-based OTs mostly deliver one-to-one therapy and see schools monthly, but lack specific training and guidelines. They value collaboration but struggle to implement it due to time and workload constraints.
• OTSurvey2021Selection of Comprehensive Assessment Categories Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health for Elderly Patients with Heart Failure: A Delphi Survey among Registered Instructors of Cardiac Rehabilitation.Occupational therapy internationalJapanese cardiac rehabilitation experts selected 58 ICF categories for assessing elderly heart failure patients. They prioritised body function and activity items, but chose far fewer environmental factors than international core sets. This list is a consensus proposal, not a validated tool.
• PTOTOther2021Stabilization Strategies for Fast Walking in Challenging Environments With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeople with incomplete spinal cord injury maintained lateral stability when walking fast, even in a balance-challenging environment. They achieved this by taking more steps and time to complete side maneuvers, prioritizing safety over speed. This suggests they naturally adopt cautious strategies to avoid falls.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Safety and Effectiveness of a Perturbation-based Neuromuscular Training Program on Dynamic Balance in Adolescent Females: A Randomized Controlled Trial.International journal of sports physical therapyA five-week perturbation training program was safe for adolescent females but did not improve dynamic balance, strength, proprioception, or flexibility compared to normal activity. The primary outcome was null.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Autistic traits are associated with faster pace of aging: Evidence from the Dunedin study at age 45.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMiddle-aged adults with more autistic traits showed faster biological aging, older facial appearance, and poorer health ratings. This association persisted after controlling for childhood IQ and socioeconomic status, suggesting autistic traits may be an independent risk marker for accelerated aging.
• PTOTRCT2021Exoskeleton gait training to improve lower urinary tract function in people with motor-complete spinal cord injury: A randomized pilot trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineExoskeleton walking was feasible for people with complete spinal cord injury, with high adherence and one minor adverse event. Urinary function changes were minor and variable, though incontinence improved in the Lokomat group. No clear benefit for bladder health was established.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021The Dynamic Innovative Balance System Improves Balance Ability: A Single Blind, Randomized Controlled Study.International journal of sports physical therapyHealthy men training on a device with moving foot platforms improved forward reach distance and single-leg stability more than those using standard balance boards. The effect appeared only after eight weeks. Use this to challenge weight shift in athletes, but do not expect it to fix side-to-side balance deficits.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Functional Consequences of Poor Binaural Hearing in Development: Evidence From Children With Unilateral Hearing Loss and Children Receiving Bilateral Cochlear Implants.Trends in hearingChildren with unilateral hearing loss had similar language, academic, and visuospatial memory deficits as peers with bilateral deafness using cochlear implants. Normal hearing in one ear did not prevent these developmental delays. Balance issues were equally common in both hearing loss groups.
• PTOTCohort2021Coffee consumption and psychological wellbeing among Japanese auto factory workers.Work (Reading, Mass.)Coffee consumption was not significantly associated with poor psychological wellbeing in male Japanese factory workers. Regular exercise and longer sleep were protective factors, particularly for older workers aged 45–60 years.
• OTPilot2021Assessment of organizational readiness for participatory occupational safety, health and well-being programs.Work (Reading, Mass.)A new healthcare workplace survey showed its readiness questions gave consistent answers across 57 usable responses, but it was tested only in healthcare facilities and not yet validated in other workplaces.
• OTSystematic Review2021Systematic Review of Visual Motor Integration in Children with Developmental Disabilities.Occupational therapy internationalAge and diagnosis consistently influence visual motor integration scores in children with developmental disabilities, while gender findings are inconsistent. Occupational therapists should prioritize age-based norms and diagnosis-specific expectations when assessing and setting goals.
• PTOTOther2021Construct Validity and Clinical Utility of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 in Older Patients Discharged From Emergency Departments.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThe WHODAS 2.0 was only partly related to Barthel, AMPS, Timed Up and Go or chair stand in older emergency department patients. Four domains had many patients at the no-disability score, and some items were left unanswered.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Assessing the Quality of Life of Parents of Children With Disabilities Using WHOQoL BREF During COVID-19 Pandemic.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesParents of children with disabilities reported significantly lower quality of life in physical health, social relationships, and environment domains compared to parents of typically developing children. However, psychological health scores showed no significant difference between the two groups.
• OTOther2021Psychometric validation and refinement of the Interoception Sensory Questionnaire (ISQ) in adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum.Molecular autismA shorter 8-item questionnaire reliably measures interoceptive difficulties in autistic adolescents and adults. The original 20-item version contained redundant questions that skewed results, so the refined tool provides a clearer, more accurate picture of a patient's awareness of internal body signals.