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 99 OF 218 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCohort2022Effect of short-duration, limited rehabilitation on maintenance of the activities of daily living in patients with acute phase of COVID-19.Journal of physical therapy scienceInpatients who received about 20 minutes of bedside rehabilitation daily during isolation maintained their daily living scores, while those transferred to acute care without rehabilitation declined significantly. Baseline nutrition and doing self-training at home were the strongest factors linked to better function.
• OTOther2022Development of Tests for Arm Coordination Impairment in Paralympic Classification.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA pen-and-tablet spiral test produced repeatable movement times for most test conditions in 19 adults without impairments, and movement time tracked task difficulty. It has not yet been tested in athletes with arm coordination impairment.
• OTSurvey2022Quality monitoring of intellectual and developmental disabilities systems in the US: Assessing the utility and applicability of selected National Core Indicators to national and state priorities.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesState managers rated participant-reported IDD outcome measures important, but fewer said they were usable or used for quality improvement. The paper is a survey of managers, not evidence that the measures improve services.
• OTCohort2022Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and child behaviour problems in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Child: care, health and developmentIn South African children, more adverse childhood experiences were associated with higher-risk behaviour scores, especially emotional and conduct problems. The link remained after household chaos was adjusted, but hyperactivity was not associated.
• OTCase Report2021The effects of dry needling on the thumb: A case report.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTA single patient with post-surgical thumb pain and stiffness improved thumb opposition and reduced pain after dry needling. The change occurred during concurrent occupational therapy, so dry needling's specific contribution cannot be separated from the overall treatment.
• OTRCT2021Impact of Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Combined with Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on the Cognitive Performance of Patients with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTAdding brain stimulation to occupational therapy improved visual memory and attention in men with schizophrenia, but did not change visuomotor organization or thinking operations. The benefit was limited to basic cognitive skills, not functional or higher-level abilities.
• OTSurvey2021Preparing Advanced Clinicians and Practitioners: A Model for Mentorship in Occupational Therapy Practice.Occupational therapy internationalPediatric OTs rated a week-long sensory integration mentorship highly, citing better clinical reasoning and networking. Most wanted more time for specific topics and smaller groups. The study reports satisfaction with the course format, not evidence that the mentorship improved patient care or clinical skills.
• OTOther2021Psychometric properties of the Korean Motor-free Visual Perception Test-4 in healthy people.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTThe Korean version of the Motor-free Visual Perception Test-4 is reliable and valid for healthy Koreans aged 10 to 79. It correlates well with another visual perception test and shows no sex differences, though scores decline with age.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Posture Matters: Object Manipulation During the Transition to Arms-Free Sitting in Infants at Elevated vs. Typical Likelihood for Autism Spectrum Disorder.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsInfants at elevated likelihood for autism spent significantly less time grasping toys when sitting independently compared to supported sitting. This postural demand reduced their total object manipulation time, potentially limiting early learning opportunities.
• PTOTOther2022Mobility Disability and Exercise: Health Outcomes of an Accessible Community-Based Center.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA 12-week community exercise program increased upper body strength and reduced pain in adults with mobility disabilities. Most participants continued exercising afterward, but cardiorespiratory fitness and body weight did not change significantly.
• OTOther2022Impact of workplace displacement during a natural disaster on computer performance metrics: A 2-year interrupted time series analysis.Work (Reading, Mass.)Displaced employees logged more total hours but fewer active hours at the computer immediately after the hurricane. Active time and typing speed recovered during the staged return to the office, though total hours remained elevated compared to baseline.
• OTOther2022Anxiety in Angelman Syndrome.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesCaregivers reported elevated anxiety in 26% of children with Angelman syndrome. Anxiety scores correlated with irritability, hyperactivity, and disruptive behaviors, but not with developmental or adaptive functioning levels. Genotype did not distinguish anxiety levels.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Co-occurring medical and behavioural conditions in children with Down syndrome with or without ADHD symptom presentation.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRChildren with Down syndrome and ADHD symptoms have significantly more sleep problems, disruptive behaviour, allergies, and seizures than those without. Parents report widespread executive function difficulties, but teachers see these challenges in all children with Down syndrome, not just those with ADHD.
• OTQualitative2022Levelling the playing field: Exploring inequalities and exclusions with a community-based football league for people with experience of mental distress.Australian occupational therapy journalMen with experience of mental distress described a community football league as a place where shared understanding fostered belonging, while mainstream settings often excluded them through stigma or medication side effects. They valued football as an occupation in its own right, not just therapy.
• OTPilot2022Promoting Sports Engagement during the COVID-19 Pandemic via Virtual Reality Games.Occupational therapy internationalYoung adults playing a commercial VR sports game reported higher engagement, but most health scores did not change clearly; only vitality rose. This small pilot with university students is not proof.
• OTOther2022Minimum detectable change in reaction time to the Posner task due to change in sustained attention.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn healthy young adults, reaction-time changes smaller than 23 to 34 milliseconds, depending on condition, may be measurement error, not real change.
• PTOTSurvey2022Clinical use of blood flow restriction in people with neurologic conditions: a cross-sectional survey.Journal of physical therapy scienceMost surveyed clinicians think blood flow restriction is safe for neurologic conditions, and 38% have used it. They applied it to conditions like stroke and TBI where evidence is missing. Reported benefits were subjective, so this does not prove the treatment works.
• PTOTOther2022Recording of Falls in Elderly Fallers in Northern Greece and Evaluation of Aging Health-Related Factors and Environmental Safety Associated with Falls: A Cross-Sectional Study.Occupational therapy internationalMost falls happened indoors, especially at night in bedrooms and bathrooms. Poor lighting and clutter were key triggers. Despite repeated falls, very few participants made home safety changes because they lacked education on how to prevent them.
• PTOTCohort2022Relationship among trunk control, activities of daily living, and upper extremity function during the first week after stroke in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Journal of physical therapy scienceTrunk control strongly correlated with daily living ability and arm function within 7 days of stroke. Trunk control and age predicted daily living ability, with trunk control being the stronger factor. Early trunk assessment is critical for planning acute stroke rehabilitation.
• OTQualitative2022Mothers' experiences of giving medicines to children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities-The impact on time.Child: care, health and developmentMothers of children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities said giving medicines was relentless and time-consuming. It controlled daily life. They were always on call, planned around dosing, and needed careful organization for safe administration.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Adaptations in Muscular Strength for Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis Following Robotic Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesRobot-assisted lower-limb training increased leg strength in all three lower-limb studies; one of two upper-limb studies increased grip force. Strength was not the main target in these five small studies, so it is not proven as a stand-alone strength treatment.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Comparative Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin in Salivary Glands vs. Oromotor Therapy in the Management of Sialorrhea in Cerebral Palsy Impact on Sleep Quality.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAdding botulinum toxin to oromotor therapy improved sleep and swallowing more than therapy alone in children with cerebral palsy. The toxin group saw greater reductions in sleep breathing disorders and difficulty falling asleep.
• PTOTRCT2021The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Proprioception and Motor Function for Individuals with Moderate Parkinson Disease: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.Occupational therapy internationalWhole-body vibration did not improve proprioception or outperform conventional therapy in moderate Parkinson's disease. Both groups showed short-term gains in motor function and balance, suggesting vibration is a viable passive alternative for those unable to engage in active movement.
• PTOTPilot2022Robotic Rehabilitation and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesFive children with bilateral cerebral palsy completed 10 days of robotic arm training plus transcranial direct current stimulation. It was feasible and tolerated, but the study did not test whether arm function improved. Three children stopped, and training time fell as sessions continued.
• OTSurvey2022Occupational therapy service provision in adult intensive care units in Australia: A survey of workload practices, interventions and barriers.Australian occupational therapy journalMost Australian ICU therapists work ad hoc with no formal service arrangement. Staffing shortages are the main barrier. Common daily tasks include bed-based self-care retraining and movement, but structured outcome measures and mental health interventions are rarely used.
• OTOther2022The Psychometric Properties of the Original Version of Assessment of Time Management Skills (ATMS).Occupational therapy internationalThe 30-item Assessment of Time Management Skills does not measure a single trait in English-speaking adults. It works best as three separate subscales for time management, organization and planning, and emotion regulation. Two items showed poor fit and may need rewording.
• OTCase Series2022Effects of Sensory Garments on Sleep of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Occupational therapy internationalFour children with autism wore compression t-shirts. Results were inconsistent. The oldest child, who sought more sensory input, showed improved sleep onset. The three younger children showed no consistent benefit. Parents reported increased stress related to getting the children to wear the garment.
• PTOTOther2022Responding to stakeholder needs to engage rehabilitation professionals in the delivery of evidence-based health programming for adults with osteoarthritis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn a physical therapy program, students coaching free self-directed walking sessions reported communication and professional growth. 62 adults with osteoarthritis completed six weeks; 23 withdrew. Participants said coaching kept them interested and the program motivated them to become more active.
• OTCohort2022Response to treatment and outcomes of infantile spasms in Down syndrome.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn children with Down syndrome and infantile spasms, spasms stopped in 88% (46 children), but 85% of those followed up had developmental concerns and 25% had ongoing seizures. Prednisolone as first medicine stopped spasms in 60%; vigabatrin caused many side effects.
• OTRCT2022A Haptic Sleeve as a Method of Mechanotactile Feedback Restoration for Myoelectric Hand Prosthesis Users.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHaptic forearm feedback improved grasp success and reduced energy expenditure compared with vision alone in eight able-bodied volunteers operating a myoelectric hand. It is a prototype, not tested in amputees.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Factor Structure of an ICF-Based Measure of Activity and Participations for Adults in Taiwan's Disability Eligibility Determination System.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThe FUNDES-Adult assessment for disability eligibility in Taiwan separates into two distinct scores: one for what a person does in their current environment, and one for what they could do without aids or help. These two dimensions measure different things.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Identification of the cause of fall during the pre-impact fall period.Journal of physical therapy scienceA waist sensor identified fall causes like tripping or slipping with 83% accuracy, but only in the 0.5 seconds before impact. This was tested on simulated falls in young adults, not real falls in older people, so it is not ready for clinical care.
• OTSLPOther2022Daily Living Skills in Adolescent and Young Adult Males With Fragile X Syndrome.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesMales with fragile X syndrome aged 15 to 23 often did personal self-care independently but needed more help with chores, cooking, errands, and finances. Stronger nonverbal thinking and understanding sentences were linked to greater independence; anxiety was not.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022Factors related to sustainable employment of people with acquired brain injury or spinal cord injury: The employer's perspective.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesEmployers said keeping staff with brain or spinal injury depends on matching tasks to ability and open communication. They valued job coaches to bridge gaps, especially when invisible cognitive issues or self-awareness problems arise.
• OTQualitative2022Leisure Possibilities of Adults Experiencing Poverty: A Community-Based Participatory Study.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieAdults experiencing poverty valued leisure but faced structural barriers like cost, safety and rigid organizational schedules. Many had deep local knowledge of free activities. Service providers should partner with users to plan accessible, judgement-free spaces rather than focusing solely on individual skills.
• OTOther2022Immediate effects of head-mounted display adaptation in cases of unilateral spatial neglect: study of straight-ahead pointing.Journal of physical therapy scienceA head-mounted display that twisted the view in three directions moved straight-ahead pointing downward more than a view shifted only sideways. Both moved left similarly, and neglect desk tests did not show clear improvement.
• OTOther2022Critical perspectives on implementation of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy - Exemplified by Lifestyle Redesign® in a Danish context.The British journal of occupational therapyA Danish Lifestyle Redesign® project simplified a US trial to five participants with no control group, yet recommended widespread implementation. This weak evidence base risks undermining occupational therapy's scientific credibility and professional recognition.
• PTOTQualitative2022Designing a trial of early electrical stimulation to the stroke-affected arm: Qualitative findings on the barriers and facilitators.The British journal of occupational therapyTherapists perceived time and lack of confidence as major barriers to early electrical stimulation, but patients confidently self-managed the treatment and found it acceptable. Patients reported insufficient staff support due to ward pressures. This highlights a disconnect between clinician concerns and patient experience.
• OTSLPOther2022Delineating the autistic phenotype in children with neurofibromatosis type 1.Molecular autismChildren with NF1 who screened positive for autism showed social communication deficits similar to idiopathic autism, but their repetitive behaviours were distinct. They rarely had motor stereotypies, but commonly showed insistence on sameness, such as difficulty with minor changes and noise sensitivity.
• PTOTCohort2022Balance factors affecting the quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.The South African journal of physiotherapyIn patients with knee osteoarthritis, greater body sway while standing was linked to lower quality of life scores in both physical and mental health. Other balance measures like reaction time did not correlate with quality of life. This suggests sway is a key marker for patient wellbeing.
• PTOTQualitative2022Intervention needs among hotel employees and managers.Work (Reading, Mass.)Hotel room cleaners and managers identified needs beyond clinical health programs, including fair pay, manageable workloads, and safety training for chemical hazards. Both groups preferred small, hands-on workshops over brochures, but disagreed on whether these could happen during work hours.
• OTSurvey2022Occupational Therapy Practice in Palliative and End-of-Life Care in Québec.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieMost occupational therapists in Québec palliative care focus on equipment, positioning, and wound care. Leisure, end-of-life rituals, and social participation are rarely addressed, despite being priorities for many clients.
• PTOTCohort2022Sufficient sleep duration in autistic children and the role of physical activity.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMore physical activity linked to better sleep in autistic kids, but the benefit weakened as severity rose. The link held for mild autism but disappeared in severe autism, intellectual disability, girls, and younger children.
• OTCohort2022Quality of life and self-perceived health of adolescents in Middle School.CoDASAdolescents who rated their own health as good or excellent had higher quality of life scores. However, quality of life ratings dropped as age increased, suggesting older teens perceive their well-being differently than younger ones.
• OTSLPQualitative2022Managing communication changes in persons with multiple sclerosis: Findings from qualitative focus groups.International journal of language & communication disordersPeople with MS wanted routine communication assessment, practical information, affordable services, support groups, and clinicians who ask about communication and refer to speech pathology, psychology, OT and neuropsychology.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Musculoskeletal discomfort in veterinary healthcare professions.Work (Reading, Mass.)Every surveyed veterinarian and technician reported musculoskeletal discomfort in the past year. Observations confirmed high-risk postures like bending and kneeling, but adjustable tables and stools significantly lowered these ergonomic risks.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Fatty Acids, Amphiregulin Production, and Lung Function in a Cohort of Midwestern Veterans.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHigher plasma levels of certain fatty acids linked to better lung function, while others linked to worse. Dietary intake showed few associations. These are observational links in veterans, not proof that eating specific fats improves breathing.
• PTOTQualitative2022Exploring how occupational therapists and physiotherapists evaluate rehabilitation potential of older people in acute care.The British journal of occupational therapyTherapists judged older patients' rehab potential by comparing current function with pre-admission baseline, treating acute problems first, then watching response to therapy. Pathway choices often depended on bed and service availability more than clear criteria.
• PTOTOther2022Vibrotactile Perception for Sensorimotor Augmentation: Perceptual Discrimination of Vibrotactile Stimuli Induced by Low-Cost Eccentric Rotating Mass Motors at Different Body Locations in Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesVibrotactile intensity discrimination is best on the arm, knee, and shoulders, and worst on the torso. Older adults initially show poorer discrimination than younger adults, but this gap closes significantly after just three days of practice.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2022Somesthetic, Visual, and Auditory Feedback and Their Interactions Applied to Upper Limb Neurorehabilitation Technology: A Narrative Review to Facilitate Contextualization of Knowledge.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAugmented sensory feedback can support upper limb stroke recovery, but more is not always better. Match feedback type to the patient's specific deficits and task complexity, and fade it over time to avoid dependency and maintain challenge.