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 91 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSurvey2021Changes in movement behaviors and back pain during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.Brazilian journal of physical therapyDuring quarantine, adults who stopped exercising were nearly three times as likely to report worsening back pain compared to those who stayed active. Consistently inactive people and those using computers or tablets heavily were also more likely to develop or experience increased back pain.
• PTOTCohort2022Utilization of Mid-Thigh Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Predict Lean Body Mass and Knee Extensor Strength in Obese Adults.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA machine learning tool accurately measured thigh muscle size from existing MRI scans in 47 obese adults. These measurements strongly predicted lean body mass and knee strength, offering a way to assess physical function without new radiation exposure.
• OTCohort2022Fertility rates in women with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Wisconsin Medicaid.Disability and health journalWomen with intellectual and developmental disabilities had lower general fertility rates than women without, but similar total fertility rates. Autistic women and those with cerebral palsy had later peak fertility and lower overall rates than those with intellectual disability.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Influence of siblings on adaptive behavior trajectories in autism spectrum disorder.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIndividuals with autism who grew up with siblings showed faster gains in adaptive skills from age 9 to 26 than those without siblings. Having a male closest-age sibling or a same-gender sibling was linked to steeper growth, though these findings are preliminary.
• PTOTSLPPilot2022Usability of a two-way personalized mobile trainer system in a community-based exercise program for adults with chronic traumatic brain injury.Brain injuryTwenty adults with chronic traumatic brain injury completed a 3-month home exercise program supported by a mobile tracking app. They achieved 76% compliance, and 90% rated the program good or excellent, but exercise endurance did not significantly improve.
• PTOTQualitative2021A human factors analysis of missed mobilisation after discharge from intensive care: a competition for care?PhysiotherapyWard therapy planning prioritised patients nearing discharge, so post-ICU mobilisation was delayed or less frequent. Staff shortages, equipment problems and patients unable to stand and step to a chair made sitting out less likely.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Continuity of primary care and prenatal care adequacy among women with disabilities in Ontario: A population-based cohort study.Disability and health journalWomen with disabilities who lacked a consistent primary care provider before pregnancy were more likely to have inadequate prenatal care. They also had higher odds of late entry into care and receiving intensive prenatal visits clustered late in pregnancy, rather than timely, consistent monitoring.
• OTOther2022Factors associated with recovery from posttraumatic stress disorder in combat veterans: The role of deployment mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).Rehabilitation psychologyVeterans recovered from PTSD reported lower depression, pain, and neurobehavioral symptoms, better sleep, and higher quality of life than those with current PTSD. Cognitive scores did not differ by recovery alone, but recovered veterans with deployment mTBI had better processing speed.
• OTQualitative2022Experiences of autistic and non-autistic individuals participating in a corporate internship scheme.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic interns reported lower baseline confidence and unique struggles with sensory distractions and communication misunderstandings. However, they matched non-autistic peers in task performance and self-efficacy by the internship's end. Managers found that accommodating autistic styles improved their own communication skills and team dynamics.
• OTOther2022Food insecurity in households of children with ASD in COVID-19 pandemic: A comparative analysis with the Household Pulse Survey data using stabilized inverse probability treatment weights.Disability and health journalHouseholds of children with autism were nearly four times more likely to face very low food security during the pandemic compared to the general population. They relied more on school meals and faced greater barriers to delivery and grocery shopping than other families.
• OTQualitative2022Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours Among Autistic Adults Presenting to the Psychiatric Emergency Department: An Exploratory Chart Review.Journal of autism and developmental disordersHalf of autistic adults presenting to a psychiatric emergency department had suicidal thoughts identified only during routine screening, not as their chief complaint. Charts showed suicidal thoughts often emerged during life transitions or interpersonal conflicts, with 62% of patients perseverating on these thoughts.
• OTCase Report2021Caregivers' roles in preventing patients with severe Alzheimer's disease from becoming distracted during mealtimes: two case reports.Journal of physical therapy scienceTwo women with severe Alzheimer's ate better when moved to quiet seats away from noisy caregivers. Placing utensils in their hands helped them start eating, but loud voices and visual distractions stopped them.
• OTSLPCohort2021Developmental Outcomes in Early-Identified Children Who Are Hard of Hearing at 2 to 3 Years of Age.Ear and hearingHard-of-hearing toddlers with hearing aids scored lower than hearing peers in language and adaptive behavior, but not in emotional or behavioral problems. Their social competence lagged specifically in areas requiring conversation, not basic empathy.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Injuries in Quidditch: A Prospective Study from a Complete UK Season.International journal of sports physical therapyQuidditch time-loss injury rates are comparable to other full-contact sports, but concussion rates are higher than rugby. There was no significant difference in injury or concussion rates between males and females, suggesting mixed-sex contact may be safe for head injuries.
• PTOTSurvey2022Self-reported parkinsonism features in older autistic adults: A descriptive study.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceOlder autistic adults without suspected intellectual disability often reported parkinsonism features such as stiffness and slowness. 16.9% in the Netherlands and 33% in the USA screened positive, compared with 2.6% estimated for parkinsonism in people over 65. This is screening, not diagnosis.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022The Relationships Between Radiation Dosage and Long-term Swallowing Kinematics and Timing in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survivors.DysphagiaIn long-term nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors, higher radiation to most swallowing muscles linked to worse kinematics. However, higher radiation to the inferior pharyngeal constrictor appeared to preserve hyolaryngeal elevation, a counterintuitive finding that does not prove this structure is safe.
• OTSLPQualitative2022Self-reported camouflaging behaviours used by autistic adults during everyday social interactions.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults described four ways they manage social interactions: hiding personal or autistic traits, keeping engagement passive and safe, mimicking neurotypical communication, and actively building rapport. They used scripts, limited self-disclosure, and focused on their partner's interests to control how they were perceived.
• PTOTSLPRCT2022Effectiveness of Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance intervention in improving motor skills of children with developmental coordination disorder: A randomized waitlist-control trial.Clinical rehabilitationChildren with developmental coordination disorder improved their self-rated motor performance and satisfaction, and these gains lasted three months. However, they did not show immediate improvement in general motor skills on standardized testing. Children with co-occurring ADHD did not show this delayed general transfer.
• OTSystematic Review2022Comparison of Content and Psychometric Properties of Malnutrition Outcome Measures: A Systematic Review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineFor malnutrition, BMI is the most commonly used measure but is not enough alone. MNA is recommended for older patients, MUST for hospitalized patients, and PG-SGA covers the broadest range of issues.
• PTOTCase Series2022Implanted Peroneal Nerve Stimulator Treatment for Drop Foot Caused by Central Nervous System Lesion: A Twelve-Month Follow-up of 21 Patients.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients with drop foot from central nervous system lesions reported high satisfaction and perceived performance gains after implanted peroneal nerve stimulation. Walking speed and endurance improved slightly. This was an uncontrolled study of 21 patients, so it shows what happened, not that the device caused the change.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Using the Multidimensional Model of Acceptance to Investigate How Different Facets of Acceptance are Related to Quality of Life Following Spinal Cord Injury.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAcceptance predicts quality of life in spinal cord injury even after controlling for depression and anxiety. Focusing on value-change and behavioural engagement matters most. Letting go of control showed weak links.
• PTOTOther2021Somatosensory deficits and neural correlates in cerebral palsy: a scoping review.Developmental medicine and child neurologyAcross 48 studies, most studies found tactile and proprioceptive deficits in people with cerebral palsy, often in both affected and less affected limbs; pain evidence was sparse and neuroimaging results were inconsistent.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Inventory of assessment practices in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities in three European countries.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDProfessionals assess multiple domains in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities, often using observation and involving parents. However, most assessment instruments used have no published data on their reliability or validity for this specific group. This means the accuracy of these common clinical assessments is currently unknown.
• PTOTCohort2021Fractures and Chronic Recurrence are Commonly Associated with Ankle Sprains: a 5-year Population-level Cohort of Patients Seen in the U.S. Military Health System.International journal of sports physical therapyFractures accompany nearly one in five ankle sprains, and recurrence is common. Over half of patients received no rehabilitation, and those who did waited a mean of 72.6 days. Clinicians should screen for fractures and consider earlier access to care rather than assuming sprains are self-limiting.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Social and non-social sensory responsivity in toddlers at high-risk for autism spectrum disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchToddlers who later developed autism showed higher sensory responsivity to both social and non-social stimuli at 12 months. These differences widened by 24 months, suggesting early sensory irregularities are generalized rather than limited to social contexts.
• OTSLPNarrative Review2021Using the Ecological Validity Model to adapt parent-involved interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Latinx community: A conceptual review.Research in developmental disabilitiesAdapting parent-led autism interventions for Latinx families requires addressing language, family roles, and cultural values. Using bilingual materials and involving extended family improves engagement. This framework guides clinical practice but does not prove these adaptations increase child outcomes.
• OTCase Report2022CyberLimb: a novel robotic prosthesis concept with shared and intuitive control.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationOne trans-radial amputee pilot used a heavy CyberLimb prototype with a jaw-clench headband, smartphone, backpack and wrist auto-leveling. She preferred the headband over EMG control, but the system was too heavy for daily use.
• PTOTRCT2022The effects of short bouts of ergometric exercise for severely burned children in intensive care: A randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationShort bouts of ergometric exercise in the burn ICU were safe and feasible but did not improve lean body mass, total weight, or walking distance compared to standard care alone. Both groups improved similarly. The study was small and underpowered, so a benefit cannot be ruled out.
• PTOTCase Report2022User-centered design and spatially-distributed sequential electrical stimulation in cycling for individuals with paraplegia.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn one experienced athlete with paraplegia, spatially distributed sequential stimulation (SDSS) allowed longer distances and higher speeds on an FES bike than single electrode stimulation (SES). The pilot still needed technical support to use the system, and it remains experimental.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2022White Paper by the European Society for Swallowing Disorders: Screening and Non-instrumental Assessment for Dysphagia in Adults.DysphagiaMany commonly used dysphagia screening tools and patient questionnaires have poor or unproven accuracy. The paper recommends stopping use of unvalidated measures and relying only on tools with strong evidence for the specific patient population being assessed.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Objective and subjective psychosocial outcomes in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A 6-year longitudinal study.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceOver six years, autistic adults showed a small increase in objective functioning and subjective well-being. Higher intellectual ability predicted better objective outcomes, while co-occurring psychiatric conditions and more autism traits predicted lower initial levels. No gender differences were found in outcomes or change over time.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Measures of self-regulation used in adult rehabilitation populations: A systematic review and content screening.Clinical rehabilitationNo existing generic self-regulation measure covers all six key aspects of rehabilitation self-regulation. Most tools focus only on confidence or awareness, leaving gaps in assessing how patients communicate limitations or use their remaining abilities.
• PTOTCohort2022Activity, socket fit, comfort and community participation in lower limb prosthesis users: a Cambodian cohort study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMost participants were satisfied with their prostheses and highly active, but general comfort scores missed significant discomforts. Activity levels did not predict community participation. People who were more active and engaged reported less satisfaction with how society perceived them.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Longitudinal Changes in the Sensorimotor Pathways of Very Preterm Infants During the First Year of Life With and Without Intervention: A Pilot Study.Developmental neurorehabilitationNon-sedated MRI scans in very preterm infants were feasible, with high retention and image quality. Brain white matter structure changed predictably over six months. Differences between intervention groups were inconsistent and could not determine if the therapy worked.
• PTOTCohort2021Effects of different baggage carrying methods on walking while wearing an arm sling in simulated hemiplegic stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceWearing an arm sling and carrying a 1 kg bag restricted pelvic rotation and tilt compared to normal walking. The differences were small (less than 5°) and hard to see. This was tested in healthy adults simulating stroke, not actual patients.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Age Effects of Bone Conduction Vibration Vestibular-evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs) Using B81 and Impulse Hammer Stimuli.Ear and hearingBone conduction VEMPs did not escape age-related decline; responses dropped with age regardless of stimulus. Air conduction remained superior for cervical VEMPs in older adults, while impulse hammer taps produced the strongest ocular VEMPs. Neither method replaced air conduction, but bone conduction avoids middle ear interference.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Psychological Factors Change During the Rehabilitation of an Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.Physical therapyPsychological readiness to return to sport increased and fear of reinjury decreased over 12 months, while motivation remained high. High motivation and readiness predicted better sports participation, but not physical test scores. Most patients expected to run by 8 months.
• OTSLPCohort2022Gaming Disorder in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdults with autism showed more gaming disorder symptoms than controls, with 9.1% meeting the screening cut-off versus 2.9%. Introversion, feeling alienated from peers, and difficulty changing thoughts to manage emotions predicted higher gaming disorder symptoms.
• PTOTCase-Control2022Individuals with Higher Levels of Physical Activity after Stroke Show Comparable Patterns of Myelin to Healthy Older Adults.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairStroke survivors who were more physically active showed brain myelin patterns comparable to healthy older adults, unlike those with low activity levels. This suggests physical activity may protect against myelin asymmetry after stroke, independent of motor impairment or arm use differences.
• OTSLPCohort2022Diagnostic- and sex-based differences in depression symptoms in autistic and neurotypical early adolescents.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic early adolescents reported more severe depressive symptoms than neurotypical peers, with females reporting higher severity than males. These effects were additive, meaning autistic females had the highest scores. Autistic youth specifically endorsed more interpersonal problems and negative self-esteem, including beliefs of worthlessness.
• OTOther2022COVID-19 vaccine website accessibility dashboard.Disability and health journalState COVID-19 vaccine websites contained accessibility errors that could block people with disabilities. Insufficient text contrast was the most common issue. Registration portals often required visual CAPTCHAs without audio options, creating barriers for blind or visually impaired users.
• PTOTQualitative2022Walking activities beyond gait training: Priorities in everyday life for parents and adolescents in pediatric neurorehabilitation.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineParents prioritized school group movement and obstacle navigation, while adolescents focused on independent public transport use. These distinct priorities suggest gait therapy goals should shift from normalizing movement patterns to practicing specific, meaningful daily activities for each age group.
• OTCohort2021The impact of COVID-19 on the social inclusion of older adults with an intellectual disability during the first wave of the pandemic in Ireland.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDROlder adults with intellectual disabilities interviewed after the first lockdown reported significantly higher access to and use of technology, and more frequent family contact, than those interviewed before. Contact with friends and participation in social activities showed no significant difference.
• OTSLPCohort2021Peer preferences and characteristics of same-group and cross-group social interactions among autistic and non-autistic adolescents.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic students strongly preferred interacting with other autistic peers, while non-autistic students showed no significant preference for either group. Over five months, both groups increasingly sought out same-neurotype partners. Social interactions between autistic peers were more reciprocal and relational than those across neurotypes.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2021Dementia in people with severe or profound intellectual (and multiple) disabilities: Focus group research into relevance, symptoms and training needs.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDCarers and families of people with severe intellectual disabilities want a dementia diagnosis to explain behaviour and guide care choices. They identified subtle declines in daily activities like eating and dressing as key signs. Current training lacks specific guidance for this population.
• PTOTSLPOther2021The effects of neuromuscular joint facilitation treatment using neck patterns on the acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds in healthy adults.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn healthy adults, a new neck resistance technique produced swallowing sounds with higher amplitude and frequency than resting, matching the traditional Shaker exercise. Since participants had no swallowing disorders and outcomes were acoustic rather than clinical, this does not show the treatment improves swallowing in patients.
• OTSLPCohort2022Brief Report: The Influence of Autism Severity and Depression on Self-Determination Among Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutism symptom severity, not depression, predicted lower self-determination in 59 young adults. While more severe autism correlated with higher depression, only autism severity uniquely explained reduced self-determination. Clinical focus should target autism-related barriers to goal-setting rather than mood alone.
• PTOTSurvey2022Physical activity levels and shoulder pain in wheelchair users during COVID-19 restrictions.Disability and health journalDuring UK lockdown, wheelchair users reported no change in leisure-time physical activity at mild, moderate, or heavy levels. Daily wheelchair use and chair transfers decreased, but these changes were not linked to new or worse shoulder pain.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Medical symptoms and conditions in autistic women.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic women reported higher rates of prediabetes symptoms, reproductive diagnoses, and irregular puberty. Metabolic conditions like diabetes were less common, possibly due to lower healthcare access. Clinicians should screen for these sex-steroid-related issues in autistic women.
• PTOTCohort2022Impairments in Cognitive Control Using a Reverse Visually Guided Reaching Task Following Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairMost stroke participants were impaired on a reverse reaching task, including with their less affected arm. A simple reaching test missed reverse-reaching problems in 27.1% of participants with the less affected arm.