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 95 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPPilot2022The Utility and Acceptability of a New Noninvasive Ventilatory Assist Device, Rest-Activity Cycler-Positive Airways Pressure, During Exercise in a Population of Healthy Adults: Cohort Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesHealthy adults walked the same distance with or without a new portable breathing device, but reported feeling more breathless while using it. No adverse events occurred, and participants did not ask to stop. The device is feasible for testing in people with COPD but not yet proven beneficial.
• OTSLPQualitative2022A qualitative exploration of autistic mothers' experiences II: Childbirth and postnatal experiences.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic mothers described childbirth as overwhelming due to sensory issues and unclear communication, not just pain. They valued continuity of care, private rooms, and direct explanations. Postnatal support was often fragmented, with autism knowledge lacking among professionals, leading to missed accommodations and anxiety.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Upper limb soft robotic wearable devices: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMost upper-limb soft robotic suits are still prototypes tested on healthy people, not patients. Only one study showed motor recovery in stroke survivors. These devices are not ready for clinical use, and their real-world benefit for daily tasks remains unproven.
• OTSLPOther2022Autism Voices: A novel method to access first-person perspective of autistic youth.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic teenagers across the spectrum, including minimally verbal youth, engaged in interviews when questions used picture cards and allowed answers via writing, texting, or pointing. Parents sometimes helped communication, but older verbal teens preferred interviewing without them.
• PTOTCohort2022Effect of life-space mobility on subjective well-being in aged home-based rehabilitation users with different levels of independence in activities of daily living.Journal of physical therapy scienceFor home-based rehab users who are mostly independent, greater life-space mobility strongly correlated with better subjective well-being. This link was absent in those with moderate or severe disabilities. Expanding community access may support well-being in higher-functioning patients.
• PTOTPilot2022Feasibility and Potential Effects of Robot-Assisted Passive Range of Motion Training in Combination with Conventional Rehabilitation on Hand Function in Patients with Chronic Stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineTwelve chronic stroke patients who received robot-assisted passive finger movement before conventional hand therapy showed improved hand strength and function. However, the study had no control group and a very small sample, so it is impossible to tell if the robot caused the improvement or if standard therapy alone would have achieved the same result.
• PTOTQualitative2022ExerG: adapting an exergame training solution to the needs of older adults using focus group and expert interviews.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationOlder adults want exergames to feel safe and real. They asked for harnesses, therapist presence, and tasks like shopping rather than fantasy worlds. Therapists worried that technical glitches or lack of home access would ruin motivation. These insights guide device design, not treatment outcomes.
• PTOTOther2022Effect of different seat heights on lumbar spine flexion during stand-to-sit motion.Journal of physical therapy scienceStanding up from a low seat requires much more forward bending of the lower back than standing from a standard seat. The back flexes more because the pelvis tilts backward while the chest keeps tilting forward, increasing the mechanical load on the lumbar spine.
• OTPilot2022Evaluating surface EMG control of motorized wheelchairs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFour patients with ALS and limited hand dexterity used jaw muscle sensors to drive a wheelchair. Three who had lost independent control rated the system as very much improved. This is a small pilot, so it shows the device is usable, not that it works better than other options.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Does time spent in rehabilitation make a difference on activity limitation and impairment in people with stroke? - A Cochrane Review summary with commentary.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIncreasing rehabilitation time did not consistently improve outcomes. While some subgroup analyses suggested benefits for daily activities and upper limb function when time differences were large, the overall certainty was very low. There is no evidence to recommend a specific minimum daily dose of rehabilitation for stroke patients.
• PTOTQualitative2022Initial development of a patient-reported outcome measure of disability due to Katakori via evaluating patient comprehensibility and comprehensiveness.Journal of physical therapy sciencePatients testing a draft questionnaire for Katakori disability found wording, scoring, and missing activities confusing, so developers revised it into a final version. It is not yet a validated outcome measure.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Motorless cadence control of standard and low duty cycle-patterned neural stimulation intensity extends muscle-driven cycling output after paralysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationClosed-loop control of implanted nerve stimulation significantly improved cycling endurance for six of seven participants with paralysis. The system adjusted stimulus intensity to maintain a target cadence, delaying muscle fatigue and allowing higher power output to be sustained for longer than with fixed, supramaximal stimulation.
• PTOTOther2022Visual oscillation effects on dynamic balance control in people with multiple sclerosis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationVirtual trees swaying in a VR scene disrupted balance in people with MS but not in healthy controls. This suggests patients may mistake moving objects for their own motion, which could explain falls in busy environments like grocery stores.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Evaluating the Association Between Hearing Loss and Falls in Adults With Vestibular Dysfunction or Nonvestibular Dizziness.Ear and hearingHearing loss was not associated with falls in patients with vestibular dysfunction or non-vestibular dizziness. This null finding held across all subgroups, including those aged 65 or older, those with high medication burden, and those with bilateral vestibular hypofunction.
• PTOTOther2022Mobility-Focused Physical Outcome Measures Over Telecommunication Technology (Zoom): Intra and Interrater Reliability Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesGrip strength and functional reach scores match in-person results when done over Zoom. Timed tests like the 3-meter walk are unreliable because of lag, recording times about 1 second slower than in-person checks.
• PTOTSLPOther2022The reliability and effectiveness of shoulder joint evaluation by ultrasonography in stroke patients: deltoid muscle thickness, acromion-humeral distance, acromion-lesser tuberosity distance.Journal of physical therapy scienceUltrasound reliably measures deltoid thickness, acromion-humeral distance, and acromion-lesser tuberosity distance in stroke patients. Hemiplegic deltoid thickness was significantly lower than the non-hemiplegic side at 0, 30, and 60 degrees of abduction. This supports using ultrasound to objectively assess shoulder subluxation risk.
• PTOTSLPPilot2022Temporal virtual reality-guided, dual-task, trunk balance training in a sitting position improves persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: proof of concept.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA single 10-minute virtual reality balance session improved dizziness scores and balance in people with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness. This proof-of-concept study cannot confirm the virtual reality alone caused the change, as all participants also took medication and did daily home exercises.
• PTOTCase-Control2022Tailored patient self-management and supervised, home-based, pulmonary rehabilitation for mild and moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn mild-to-moderate COPD, a four-week home program with weekly physiotherapist visits improved breathing comfort, walking distance, and diaphragm movement compared to usual care. Gains in breathing comfort and walking distance held at two-month follow-up, though inspiratory muscle strength declined slightly.
• OTSLPCohort2021Work and well-being: Vocational activity trajectories in young adults with autism spectrum disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchYoung adults with autism or other developmental delays tended to keep the same work or education path from ages 18 to 28. Those in independent activities had higher reported well-being than the No Activities and Volunteer groups.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2021Relation of sensory processing and stomatognical system of oral respiratory children.CoDASMouth-breathing children showed significantly more sensory processing dysfunction than nasal-breathing peers, especially in balance and movement. This may contribute to head movements and food escape during eating. Screen for sensory issues in mouth-breathers who struggle with mealtimes.
• OTSLPOther2021Child Psychological Functioning During the COVID-19 Lockdown: An Ecological, Family-Centered Approach.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPDuring lockdown, children's internalizing problems linked to parent depression and poor attachment security. Externalizing problems linked to family chaos and dysfunction. Children's COVID-19 anxiety tracked with their own fear of being alone and their parents' anxiety, not family income.
• PTOTSLPPilot2022Regional cerebral blood perfusion changes in chronic stroke survivors as potential brain correlates of the functional outcome following gamified home-based rehabilitation (IntelliRehab)-a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn eight chronic stroke survivors, three months of gamified home rehabilitation improved arm function scores. Brain blood flow changed in specific regions, but these changes did not correlate with the functional gains. The study cannot prove the software caused the improvement, as all participants also received conventional rehabilitation.
• PTOTQualitative2022"It's second best": A mixed-methods evaluation of the experiences and attitudes of people with musculoskeletal pain towards physiotherapist delivered telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.Musculoskeletal science & practicePeople with musculoskeletal pain viewed telehealth as valuable but second-best to in-person care. They valued convenience and safety but struggled with physical assessment and lacking hands-on treatment. Many preferred a hybrid model where video supports follow-up rather than replacing clinic visits.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022"Hidden gains"? Measuring the impact of mindfulness-based interventions for people with mild traumatic brain injury: a scoping review.Brain injuryMindfulness-based interventions for mild traumatic brain injury show significant improvements in coping, somatic symptoms, and emotional health. However, studies rarely measure physical function, sleep, or pain catastrophizing. Qualitative reports suggest benefits in daily life and sleep that quantitative tests missed.
• OTPilot2022Assistive Robots for Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Exploratory Task-Based Evaluation Study With an Early-Stage Demonstrator.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesMost people with ALS rated an early-stage robot arm in a lab as relevant and easy to control, but they said it was too large, needed caregiver setup, and was not ready for home use.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022The diagnostic trajectory of developmental coordination disorder in the Netherlands: Experiences of mothers.Child: care, health and developmentMothers of children with DCD were mostly satisfied with the diagnosis, yet 40% found the process stressful and it took about three years. Satisfaction depended heavily on the diagnosing professional's manner and the support provided after the diagnosis.
• PTOTCase Series2022Multisite Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation for Walking and Autonomic Recovery in Motor-Incomplete Tetraplegia: A Single-Subject Design.Physical therapyTwo men with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury walked three times farther when transcutaneous spinal stimulation was added to locomotor training. Improvements in walking, balance, and bowel function lasted for months after the stimulation stopped.
• OTSystematic Review2022Cognitive rehabilitation in people with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of emerging virtual reality-based approaches.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAcross 17 small studies of 226 people with autism, virtual reality training often reported improved attention, memory, executive skills, or daily skills, but only nine showed clear gains. Evidence is too uneven to change routine practice.
• PTOTCohort2022Degree of Safety Against Falls Provided by 4 Different Prosthetic Knee Types in People With Transfemoral Amputation: A Retrospective Observational Study.Physical therapyFluid-controlled prosthetic knees were linked to a higher rate of falls than microprocessor knees in people with transfemoral amputation during inpatient rehab. Antidepressants and antiepileptics carried even larger fall risks than any knee type.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Differences in preoperative function and outcome of patients with versus without sarcopenia after total hip arthroplasty.Journal of physical therapy scienceSarcopenia was found in 2 of 25 hip arthroplasty patients. These two patients had lower muscle mass and grip strength, and both needed transfer to a convalescent hospital rather than going home. No statistical comparison was possible.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Intrauterine drug exposure as a risk factor for cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyInfants with intrauterine drug exposure had a 5.2% rate of cerebral palsy, ten times higher than the general population. Even after excluding very preterm infants, the rate remained significantly elevated. These children warrant high-risk developmental surveillance regardless of other medical complications.
• PTOTOther2021Validity and Acceptability of Wearable Devices for Monitoring Step-Count and Activity Minutes Among People With Multiple Sclerosis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesCommercially available activity monitors performed poorly for people with multiple sclerosis. They gave inaccurate step counts and failed to measure activity time. Participants distrusted devices that seemed wrong, which reduced their motivation to use them. Do not rely on these specific consumer devices for clinical monitoring in this population.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Differences in the production and perception of communicative kinematics in autism.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic adults produced gestures with different timing and recognized them with equal accuracy but slower speed than neurotypical adults. Complex, repetitive gestures helped neurotypical recognition but hindered autistic recognition. This reflects different processing strategies rather than a deficit in understanding gestures.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of caregivers of autistic children and youth: A scoping review.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchCaregivers of autistic children reported severe stress from lost therapies and school closures. Parents managed by creating new routines and connecting online. Telehealth helped some families but failed those with limited access or complex needs. The review found no evidence that these remote adaptations actually improved child or parent outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Physiotherapy-assisted prone or modified prone positioning in ward-based patients with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study.PhysiotherapyIn 13 frail ward patients with COVID-19, physiotherapy-assisted prone or side-lying positioning raised oxygen saturation by 4% and lowered oxygen flow needs after 15 minutes. Modified positions enabled participation for those unable to lie fully flat.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Early Intervention Referral Information, Transmission, and Sources-A Survey of State Part C Coordinators and Analysis of Referral Forms.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPState Early Intervention referral forms vary widely, with healthcare settings sending the most referrals but only 25% of forms explicitly targeting providers. Parents remain a major source, yet few forms are translated. Clinicians should verify local referral pathways, as electronic data exchange between health and education systems is rare.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2021A Socially Assistive Robot for Stroke Patients: Acceptance, Needs, and Concerns of Patients and Informal Caregivers.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPatients and caregivers saw value in a robot for home exercise but worried it lacked human empathy and physical support. Caregivers were willing to drive up to 45 minutes for sessions. Both groups insisted the robot must supplement, not replace, human therapists.
• PTOTPilot2021Changes in Cortical Activity in Stroke Survivors Undergoing Botulinum Neurotoxin Therapy for Treatment of Focal Spasticity.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesNine stroke survivors showed increased brain activity in motor areas after botulinum toxin injections. However, the average improvement in arm function was smaller than the threshold considered clinically meaningful. This suggests the brain changes may not translate to noticeable functional gains for most patients.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Using ICF to Describe Problems With Functioning in Everyday Life for Children Who Completed Treatment for Brain Tumor: An Analysis Based on Professionals' Documentation.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesRecords for nine brain tumor survivors focused almost exclusively on body functions, ignoring how these problems link to school and social participation. Therapists should stop assuming medical charts capture daily life barriers and explicitly document activity limitations and environmental supports.
• PTOTPilot2022Electromyographic Characteristics of a Single Motion Shoulder Exercise: A Pilot Study Investigating a Novel Shoulder Exercise.International journal of sports physical therapyA novel Figure-of-8 shoulder exercise activated the rotator cuff and most scapular muscles similarly to standard exercises. However, it significantly under-activated the middle and lower trapezius compared to the standard protocol. The exercise may be a viable simplification but lacks full scapular stabilizer engagement.
• OTSLPQualitative2022Exploring interpersonal and environmental factors of autistic adolescents' peer engagement in integrated education.Autism : the international journal of research and practicePeer engagement depended on shared interests and peers' acceptance of social styles. Autistic students thrived when activities allowed them to connect over common passions, while rigid behavioral expectations often led to rejection.
• PTOTOther2022Patellofemoral Joint Loading During the Performance of the Forward and Side Lunge with Step Height Variations.International journal of sports physical therapySide lunges generated higher knee joint forces than forward lunges at deeper angles, while forward lunges generated higher forces at shallow angles. Lunging at ground level produced greater stress than lunging onto a 10cm platform at moderate knee bends. This helps therapists select lunge variations to control knee loading.
• OTSLPOther2022Facilitating the inclusion of adults with intellectual disability as direct respondents in research: Strategies for fostering trust, respect, accessibility and engagement.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDResearchers built a survey with adults with intellectual disability on the design team. Using plain language, visuals, and flexible administration modes, they collected 100 responses in most groups. Adults with intellectual disability reported the survey was easy to understand and complete.
• PTOTSLPOther2021The Nottwil Standard-Development and Implementation of an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Based Clinical Standard Assessment for Post-acute Rehabilitation After Newly Acquired Spinal Cord Injury.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA new ICF-based assessment standard for spinal cord injury rehab saw high compliance for physical tests like muscle strength and mobility. However, assessments for autonomic function, pain, and mental health were performed in only 35-41% of cases. The standard is feasible but requires stronger enforcement for these often-missed domains.
• PTOTCohort2021The Association of Physical Function Measures With Frailty, Falls History, and Metabolic Syndrome in a Population With Complex Obesity.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPatients with complex obesity showed physical function typical of people twenty years older. Frailty was rare but linked to falls, while metabolic syndrome was common but not linked to frailty. Screening for falls risk and frailty should be routine in this group.
• PTOTRCT2021Effectiveness of Lymphedema Prevention Programs With Compression Garment After Lymphatic Node Dissection in Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAdding prophylactic compression garments to standard education and exercise did not significantly lower lymphedema rates at 2 years compared to standard care alone. However, patients who wore the garment daily for 8 hours in the first 3 months had significantly lower incidence than those who did not.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2021Emerging Concepts and Evidence in Telematics Novel Approaches or Treatments for Spasticity Management After Botulinum Injection.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA search for telehealth tools to guide stretching after botulinum toxin injections for spasticity found no apps or games designed for this purpose. Only one assessment app exists, which measures muscle tone but does not deliver treatment.
• PTOTPilot2021The Impact of Sub-maximal Exercise on Neuropathic Pain, Inflammation, and Affect Among Adults With Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA single bout of arm-cranking exercise reduced neuropathic pain and improved mood in adults with spinal cord injury. Pain relief was larger and more consistent in those with tetraplegia. Those with paraplegia reported higher exertion, and their pain changes were less clear immediately after exercise.
• PTOTNarrative Review2021Physiological Considerations to Support Podium Performance in Para-Athletes.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPara-athlete physiology varies by impairment, so able-bodied sports protocols may not transfer. Practitioners should individualize monitoring, cooling, breathing support, and energy availability rather than assume standard training works.
• OTSurvey2021The association between COVID-19, personal wellbeing, depression, and suicide risk factors in Australian autistic adults.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchSelf-reported impact of the pandemic was not linked to suicide risk scores in autistic adults. Personal wellbeing was the only significant predictor of lower risk. Therapists should focus on building general life satisfaction rather than assuming pandemic stress directly drives suicidality.