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 86 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTPilot2021Visual feedback improves movement illusions induced by tendon vibration after chronic stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationShowing a moving virtual hand on a screen made people with chronic stroke feel stronger illusions of movement when their wrist tendon was vibrated. This visual feedback worked even for those with severe motor deficits, suggesting it could help drive brain plasticity during rehabilitation.
• PTOTCase-Control2021Rate of Force Development Is Related to Maximal Force and Sit-to-Stand Performance in Men With Stages 3b and 4 Chronic Kidney Disease.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn men with advanced kidney disease, how quickly they could generate force in the first 50 milliseconds predicted how fast they could stand up, even though their maximum strength did not. This suggests training should target speed of force, not just strength.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Effects of Telerehabilitation Interventions on Heart Failure Management (2015-2020): Scoping Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesTelerehabilitation for heart failure patients often improves quality of life and physical capacity compared to standard care. It also shows high adherence. However, evidence for reducing depression and anxiety is mixed, with some studies showing no significant benefit.
• PTOTOther2021Application of Inertial Measurement Units and Machine Learning Classification in Cerebral Palsy: Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesCustom wrist sensors plus machine learning separated movement samples from children with CP from typical movement samples on a stop sign task, correctly classifying 85.75% of older samples and 88.13% of younger samples. This is a measurement method, not proof that therapy works.
• PTOTCohort2022The spasticity-related quality of life 6-dimensions instrument in upper-limb spasticity: Part I Development and responsiveness.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe SQoL-6D questionnaire tracked upper-limb spasticity quality of life over 8 weeks. Total scores improved more when patients or clinicians judged routine care helpful, so therapists can use it to track patient-reported change.
• PTOTCohort2022The spasticity-related quality of life 6-dimensions instrument in upper-limb spasticity: Part II A first psychometric evaluation.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAmong 98 adults with upper-limb spasticity, the SQoL-6D questionnaire was quick, relevant and consistent enough to measure how spasticity affects daily life. It gave lower quality-of-life scores when weakness or limb problems were worse.
• PTOTCohort2022Differences in Cardiometabolic Comorbidities Between Black and White Persons Living With Multiple Sclerosis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationBlack patients with MS were more likely than White patients to have high blood pressure and diabetes, and Black women had higher body mass index. These comorbidities were linked to MS disability in prior work, but this study could not track disease progression or timing.
• PTOTQualitative2022Educational support needs of injured children and their families: A qualitative study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineInjured children and parents report that schools often isolate them in separate zones or exclude them from physical education out of caution. Families say a trusted key worker is essential to coordinate flexible learning and keep children with their peers.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Effect of multimorbidity and psychosocial factors on posttraumatic stress symptoms among post-9/11 veterans.Rehabilitation psychologyVeterans with pain, mental health, or brain injury comorbidities reported higher PTSD severity than healthy peers. Self-efficacy, resilience, and social support explained nearly half the variance in PTSD symptoms. However, Black and Hispanic veterans reported greater PTSD severity than White veterans even with higher resilience and self-efficacy.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Predictors of Acute Transfer and Mortality Within 6 Months From Admission to an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility for Patients With Brain Tumors.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPatients with brain tumors admitted to rehab had a 20.2% acute transfer rate and 36.9% six-month mortality. Prior chemotherapy, steroid use, and recurrent disease were linked to these outcomes. Functional status on admission did not predict transfer or death.
• PTOTSLPOther2022A delphi procedure on rehabilitation outcome for patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury; first phase of the Neurotraumatology Quality Registry (NET-QURE).Journal of rehabilitation medicineExperts agreed on specific outcome measures for 12 of 17 domains in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Consensus was reached for tools assessing quality of life, pain, anxiety, depression, communication, and activities of daily living.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Dysphagia Characteristics of Patients Post SARS-CoV-2 During Inpatient Rehabilitation.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationLonger intubation increases the odds of airway invasion during swallowing, with each extra day raising the odds by 15%. Clinical bedside swallow exams often miss silent aspiration. Instrumental assessments like VFSS are needed to safely guide diet upgrades in post-COVID inpatient rehabilitation.
• OTCase Series2022Effect of multi-grip myoelectric prosthetic hands on daily activities, pain-related disability and prosthesis use compared with single-grip myoelectric prostheses: A single-case study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineExperienced single-grip prosthesis users who switched to a multi-grip hand with occupational therapist-led training reported better daily-activity performance and satisfaction, less pain-related disability in those with baseline pain, and increased wearing time. Control skill did not clearly improve.
• PTOTOther2021Usability and performance validation of an ultra-lightweight and versatile untethered robotic ankle exoskeleton.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA lightweight untethered ankle exoskeleton reduced energy cost during incline walking in healthy adults and increased stair-climbing distance in people with cerebral palsy. Users could don and calibrate the device independently in under five minutes.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Resting motor threshold in the course of hand motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHigh resting motor threshold in the stroke-affected hemisphere tracks with severe hand disability. As hand function recovers, this threshold drops. The unaffected hemisphere's threshold showed no consistent link to impairment or recovery.
• PTOTOther2021Improving postural stability among people with lower-limb amputations by tactile sensory substitution.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationVibrotactile feedback on the forearm reduced body sway during quiet standing for people with lower-limb amputations. The benefit was greatest when visual disturbances were large. The effect appeared immediately without specific training on the device.
• PTOTPilot2021A novel upper-limb tracking system in a virtual environment for stroke rehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke patients using a new virtual reality system that tracks the entire arm and all fingers showed greater upper-limb motor improvement than those using conventional therapy or a hand-only tracking system. The full-body tracking also created a stronger sense of ownership over the virtual arm.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2021European evidence-based recommendations for clinical assessment of upper limb in neurorehabilitation (CAULIN): data synthesis from systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFor neurological upper limb rehabilitation, CAULIN recommends Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity and Action Research Arm Test as core assessments, with added measures for patient-reported ability, movement quality, and real-life arm use.
• PTOTPilot2021Optimized hip-knee-ankle exoskeleton assistance reduces the metabolic cost of walking with worn loads.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThree expert users wearing a heavy hip-knee-ankle exoskeleton saw their walking effort drop by 41% to 48% while carrying loads of 15% and 30% body weight. The device reduced metabolic cost significantly more than previous single-joint assists, but the worn mass of the device itself remains a major practical barrier.
• PTOTCohort2022In a Pandemic That Limits Contact, Can Videoconferencing Enable Interdisciplinary Persistent Pain Services and What Are the Patient's Perspectives?Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost persistent pain patients were satisfied with videoconferencing during the pandemic, especially audio, video, privacy, and ease. Preferences varied by discipline, and some still preferred face-to-face care.
• PTOTSLPPilot2022Optimized scheme for paired transverse corrective forces in S-shaped scoliosis via ultrasound and application in Chêneau brace: a pilot study.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalPlacing the thoracic pressure pad 2 cm below the top of the curve, rather than at the top, significantly improved spinal alignment in adolescents with S-shaped scoliosis. This position worked in Chêneau braces, but long-term outcomes and rotation correction require further study.
• PTOTPilot2022Anorectal dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients: A pilot study on the effect of an individualized rehabilitation approach.NeuroRehabilitationTen women with MS who completed a 10-week physiotherapy program plus self-treatment reported significantly less fecal incontinence on a subjective score. Objective anal pressure measurements showed no significant change, so the benefit was felt by patients but not confirmed by physical testing.
• PTOTRCT2022Reward During Arm Training Improves Impairment and Activity After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairThe primary measure of arm movement range showed no difference between groups. However, rewarded training led to significantly better scores on standard clinical tests of arm impairment and activity at three months.
• PTOTQualitative2022Issues faced by people with amputation(s) during lower limb prosthetic rehabilitation: A thematic analysis.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalProsthesis users described lower limb prosthetic rehabilitation as shaped by service variation, changing limb volume and sweat, rigid socket fit, heavy or basic components, and resulting limits on work, social life, and independence.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Perceived work situation and work ability among persons who are working one year after stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStroke survivors who returned to work within a year generally felt good about their jobs and abilities. They reported better work conditions than the general population, with most confident they could keep working for at least two more years.
• PTOTRCT2022Concurrent validity of an immersive virtual reality version of the Box and Block Test to assess manual dexterity among patients with stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA virtual reality version of the Box and Block Test correlates strongly with the physical test for stroke patients. Scores are lower in VR, so do not mix the two. It offers objective movement data and high usability for home monitoring.
• PTOTOther2022Pre-stroke physical activity in relation to post-stroke outcomes - linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): A scoping review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineHigher physical activity before stroke was linked to better walking, independence, less depression and fatigue, and lower mortality in some studies, but some other studies found no link. The evidence is mostly observational, so cause cannot be inferred.
• PTOTCohort2022Accurate Prediction of Persistent Upper Extremity Impairment in Patients With Ischemic Stroke.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationA simple bedside score using age and standard stroke severity items predicts persistent arm impairment at 90 days. Scores calculated from discharge assessments were more accurate than those from 24 hours, offering a practical tool to identify patients likely to need long-term rehabilitation.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Challenges and Lessons Learned for Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation of Persons With COVID-19: Clinical Presentation, Assessment, Needs, and Services Utilization.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationAcute inpatient rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients resulted in functional gains comparable to prepandemic debility patients, with most discharged home. Clinicians adapted by creating separate therapy spaces, using telehealth for family training, and managing high rates of delirium and pressure injuries.
• OTRCT2021Targeted cognitive game training enhances cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon beta 1-a.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSix months of twice-weekly cognitive game training improved executive function and processing speed in MS patients with mild impairment, while non-trained patients declined. The training group showed better performance at 3 and 6 months compared to controls, though baseline differences in age and disease duration limit certainty.
• PTOTCohort2021Prediction of robotic neurorehabilitation functional ambulatory outcome in patients with neurological disorders.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationEarly Lokomat settings predict gait recovery. Patients who reduced body weight support below 34% and guidance force below 70% by session 6 were more likely to improve walking independence. This model aids planning but requires larger validation before clinical use.
• PTOTSLPPilot2021Technology-Aided Spatial Cues, Instructions, and Preferred Stimulation for Supporting People With Intellectual and Visual Disabilities in Their Occupational Engagement and Mobility: Usability Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesSeven people with severe intellectual and visual disabilities completed object-collection tasks independently using a $600 smartphone system. The setup guided them via audio cues and rewarded them with preferred stimulation. Baseline performance was near zero, while intervention sessions saw high completion rates without staff supervision.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2021Adaptability of Assistive Mobility Devices and the Role of the Internet of Medical Things: Comprehensive Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesMost smart mobility aids remain prototypes tested on healthy people or in simulations, not real patients. Therapists should not assume these devices are ready for clinical use, as training times are long, cognitive load is high, and real-world safety is unproven.
• PTOTOther2021Automated and accurate assessment for postural abnormalities in patients with Parkinson's disease based on Kinect and machine learning.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA Kinect camera and machine learning system matched expert doctors' ratings of Parkinson's postural abnormalities with 90% accuracy. It offers a low-cost, non-contact way to objectively quantify bent posture severity, potentially replacing subjective clinical scales.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2021Use of an iPad App (Aid for Decision-making in Occupational Choice) for Collaborative Goal Setting in Interprofessional Rehabilitation: Qualitative Descriptive Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesPatients and therapists found an iPad app useful for discussing rehabilitation goals, but time constraints and lack of printed materials limited its use. The app helped patients visualize possibilities but was deemed too long for acute settings.
• PTOTQualitative2021Application of a myoelectric elbow flexion assist orthosis in adult traumatic brachial plexus injury: patient perspectives.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalPatients with brachial plexus injury found myoelectric elbow orthoses helpful for retraining movement in therapy but unreliable for daily life due to sweat interference, lack of strength, and shoulder pain. Expectations of restoring normal arm function were unmet.
• PTOTOther2021Prevalence and risk factors for depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation in youth with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS).Brain injuryAmong youth with persistent post-concussive symptoms, 40% had significant depressive symptoms, one-quarter had significant anxiety symptoms, 14% reported thoughts of death or self-harm, and 8% thoughts of suicide; history of depression and lower sleep quality were linked to greater risk.
• OTSLPCohort2021Subjective executive dysfunction in patients with primary brain tumors and their informants: relationships with neurocognitive, psychological, and daily functioning.Brain injurySubjective executive dysfunction in brain tumor patients tracked closely with psychological distress and daily independence, but not with objective cognitive test scores. Informant reports matched patient reports on distress but diverged on functional tasks like financial management.
• PTOTRCT2021Home-based (virtual) rehabilitation improves motor and cognitive function for stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial of the Elements (EDNA-22) system.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHome EDNA tablet training plus usual rehab improved more affected-hand Box and Block scores and cognitive screening scores more than home GRASP plus usual rehab in a small stroke trial.
• PTOTCohort2022Changes in Stroke Rehabilitation during the Sars-Cov-2 Shutdown in Switzerland.Journal of rehabilitation medicineDuring shutdown, 72% of 36 stroke survivors reported less outpatient therapy, sat more, and had slightly worse depression. Upper-limb usage did not worsen, and some motor measures improved after therapy restarted.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Health-related factors for work participation in persons with spinal cord injury in Finland.Journal of rehabilitation medicineEmployed people with spinal cord injury reported better physical, mental, and social health than those not working. Physical function, pain, and ability to participate in social roles were the strongest factors linked to being at work. Age and injury severity also influenced employment likelihood.
• PTOTSurvey2022Use and Usability Of Custom-Made Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses In Polio Survivors with Knee Instability: A Cross-Sectional Survey.Journal of rehabilitation medicineMost polio survivors continued using custom-made knee-ankle-foot orthoses, often all day. Those who stopped reported the device hindered activities, failed to reduce problems, or fit poorly. Users with better baseline walking ability and no prior orthosis experience were more likely to discontinue use.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Critical Illness Polyneuropathy and Functional Outcome in Subjects with Covid-19: Report on Four Patients and a Scoping Review of the Literature.Journal of rehabilitation medicineMost critically ill COVID-19 patients with ICU-acquired weakness did not fully recover. In the reviewed literature, only 3 of 35 survivors regained full function. The 4 patients in this report had variable outcomes, with only one fully recovering at discharge.
• OTOther2021Proximal and distal movement patterns during a graphomotor task in typically developing children and children with handwriting problems.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationChildren with handwriting problems drew shapes less accurately and moved their shoulders and upper backs differently than peers. However, the amount of movement did not predict writing quality. Accuracy errors, not joint dynamics, were the strongest predictors of legibility and speed.
• PTOTSurvey2021Survey of transfemoral amputee experience and priorities for the user-centered design of powered robotic transfemoral prostheses.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTransfemoral amputees using microprocessor knees reported higher autonomy, satisfaction, and daily prosthesis use than those with mechanical knees. Both groups prioritized stability and comfort over running capability. Cost sensitivity did not correlate with income, but rather with the level of insurance reimbursement.
• PTOTSurvey2021An analysis of usability evaluation practices and contexts of use in wearable robotics.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWearable robot developers rarely involve patients early, focusing almost entirely on device function rather than user comfort or satisfaction. Most rely on custom-made tests instead of standardized measures, making it hard to compare devices or prove they work in real-world settings.
• PTOTCase-Control2021Bilateral actigraphic quantification of upper extremity movement in hemiparetic children with perinatal stroke: a case control study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBilateral wrist actigraphy distinguished hemiparetic children from typically developing peers in real life, with asymmetry scores correlating modestly with clinical tests. The strongest links appeared during sleep and rest, not active play, suggesting standard clinic measures do not fully capture daily movement patterns.
• OTCohort2021Suicidal ideation after acute traumatic brain injury: A longitudinal actor-partner interdependence model of patients and caregivers in Latin America.Rehabilitation psychologyPatients with acute traumatic brain injury who reported thoughts of death or self-harm in hospital had caregivers who were more likely to report them at the next assessment. The reverse association was not significant, and this does not prove one caused the other.
• PTOTSLPPilot2021Eye-gaze control of a wheelchair mounted 6DOF assistive robot for activities of daily living.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTen healthy participants completed object retrieval tasks using an eye-gaze controlled wheelchair and robotic arm. They reported high satisfaction and ease of use, but the system was tested only on able-bodied users, not people with impairments.
• PTOTOther2022Characterization of stroke-related upper limb motor impairments across various upper limb activities by use of kinematic core set measures.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWearable movement analysis showed gesture and grasp tasks differ in stroke-related upper limb motion. Moderate impairment made movements slower and less smooth across daily tasks. Task choice changes what movement measures mean.