THE INDEX

Every paper we have read

Each one summarised from the full article, not its abstract, and kept only if it speaks to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology or nursing. Newest first.

35,183 PAPERS · PAGE 229 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTCase-Control2026Exploring brain activity differences in functional constipation using fNIRS: a case-control study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBrain activity did not differ significantly between functional constipation patients and healthy controls during three defecation-related tasks. Group-averaged trends showed lower motor and sensory activation during defecation tasks and higher activation during sphincter contraction in patients.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Efficacy of Physical Modalities for Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain After Stroke: A Systematic Review.Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPTIn adults with post-stroke shoulder pain, electrical, shock-wave, or laser modalities sometimes reduced pain, especially when added to physiotherapy. Function improved less consistently, and the evidence was very uncertain, so do not treat these as proven stand-alone therapies.
• PTOTCase Report2026Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Distal Biceps Tenotomy for Fixed Spastic Elbow Contracture in Cerebral Palsy: Case Report and Technical Note.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn a 63-year-old woman with severe spastic cerebral palsy, ultrasound-guided percutaneous distal biceps tenotomy improved passive elbow extension and made hygiene and positioning easier. This single case does not show the procedure works.
• Other2026The E3 Ubiquitin Ligase UBE3B Regulates Synaptic Development and Cortical Network Activity.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchLoss of UBE3B in mouse brains caused fewer vocalizations, less social interaction, impaired learning and motor coordination, and fewer excitatory synapses. It is a genetic mouse model. No therapy was tested.
• PTPilot2026Application of Circadian Rhythm-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Severe Pneumonia-A Feasibility Study With Convenience Sampling.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationSevere pneumonia ICU patients receiving a bundle of airway care, positioning, breathing, limb, nutrition and psychological support timed to circadian rhythms had shorter ventilation and stay, better lung function, adherence and sleep than usual care. The bundle's components cannot be separated.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Functional recovery and mortality after intensive inpatient rehabilitation for severe acquired brain injury in older adults: a retrospective cohort study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOlder adults after severe acquired brain injury who had swallowing problems and diabetes at admission had poorer function at discharge. Death during inpatient rehabilitation was more common in older patients.
• PTOther2026Electrical bioimpedance spectral markers distinguish balance ability in older adults without provoking fall risk.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationOlder adults with better single-leg balance showed more orderly muscle impedance signals during safe standing and sitting than those with poorer balance. This small marker study did not test whether the signals predict falls.
• PTOther2026The cost of imbalance: how balance problems drive energy cost of walking in persons with multiple sclerosis.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn people with MS who had walking problems, poorer balance was linked to higher energy cost of walking, especially at slower speeds. This suggests rehabilitation may need to target both balance and walking speed, not balance alone.
• OTOther2026The Influence of Sensory Processing on Executive Function in Young Autistic Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn young autistic children, more sensory seeking and less responding to input were linked with greater caregiver-reported executive function difficulties, especially working memory, even after anxiety and ADHD were considered.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Market shaping for AT: scoping review and case study of an intervention.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHearing aid prices dropped 94% in Rwanda and 96% in Iran after UNICEF added them to its supply catalogue. Wheelchair prices fell less, averaging 34% across three countries. These gains rely on bulk public procurement, not clinical assessment or fitting.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Associations between interpreter dependency and rehabilitation outcomes and care processes following acquired brain injury: a Swedish registry-based cohort study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineInterpreter-dependent patients started rehabilitation with lower independence and quality of life but improved at the same rate as others. However, their patient experience surveys were collected significantly less often, leaving their voices missing from routine care data.
• PTOther2026Validation of heart rate measurements from the polar verity sense during the submaximal Ekblom-Bak test in adult individuals with obesity.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn adults with obesity, arm-worn Polar Verity Sense matched chest strap heart rate during steady-state cycling, giving nearly identical estimated VO2 max. Most participants preferred the arm-worn device, but it was tested only during cycle ergometry.
• Narrative Review2026Market shaping via digital public infrastructure for assistive technology in low- and middle-income countries.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences
• PTOther2026Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Use Among Commercially Insured and Medicare Advantage Patients.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesRemote therapeutic monitoring use was mostly for musculoskeletal problems (56.3% of commercial use), and other clinicians such as therapists and nurses delivered 48.7%. Use grew from 2089 months in 2022 to 24,494 months in 2024, but most patients used it for only one calendar year.
• Qualitative2026Implementing mobile integrated health for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a qualitative readiness assessment.Disability and health journalStakeholders identified three priorities for launching mobile health programs for adults with intellectual disabilities: integrating records with existing systems, adapting clinical protocols for behavioral and physical needs, and leveraging caregivers as partners. This is a readiness assessment, not efficacy evidence.
• OTSLPRCT2026The Effect of Online Parent Training With and Without Coaching Support on the Well-Being of Families of Children With Neurodisabilities: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchCoached online parent training improved family communication scores more than self-directed training or a resource website. Self-directed training showed some benefits over control but not consistently. Effects were small and seen only in families who completed most of the program.
• OTRCT2026Efficacy of a soft robotic exoskeleton for upper-limb rehabilitation in subacute stroke inpatient rehabilitation: a randomised controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn subacute inpatient stroke, adding a soft robotic glove to conventional occupational therapy did not improve upper-limb outcomes more than adding supervised GRASP with wrist support to conventional occupational therapy. Both groups improved similarly.
• PTOther2026A domain-specific approach to characterizing balance confidence post-stroke.Topics in stroke rehabilitationPeople with chronic stroke had the lowest balance confidence for recovering after a bump, averaging 48%. ABC scale items separated into walking, preparing for movement, and reacting to a disturbance.
• Qualitative2026Provider assessment of caregiver reliability in preparation for intrathecal baclofen use in pediatric conditions.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineProviders deciding on intrathecal baclofen pumps for non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy often used distance, family stability, and socioeconomic status to judge caregiver reliability, with no standardized measure.
• PTRCT2026Effects of an actuated ankle exoskeleton on walking stability in healthy adults: a controlled laboratory study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn 18 healthy adults, walking with an ankle exoskeleton increased variability in stride length and ground-contact timing, but local stability near the ankle improved. Overall stride timing stayed unchanged. Device mass and assistance were combined, so neither alone can be blamed.
• PTCase Report2026Safety and Feasibility of Early Aquatic Physical Therapy for Military Survivors of Gunshot Wounds and Blast Injuries: A Case Series.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAll 3 military patients with gunshot or blast wounds received early aquatic therapy alongside acute multidisciplinary care and land-based rehabilitation without adverse events or wound infection. Each showed functional gains and returned to duty, but the case series cannot separate the aquatic component.
• PTOTSurvey2026Identifying classes with different disability profiles amongst patients with persistent neck pain.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients with persistent neck pain fall into three distinct groups based on which daily tasks they struggle with, rather than just how much pain they feel. One group has mild issues, one struggles specifically with reading and lifting, and one has severe limitations across almost all activities.
• PTOTPilot2026Assisted cycling in non-ambulant adults with cerebral palsy: exploratory effects and feasibility in residential care.Journal of rehabilitation medicineFatigue, sleep and quality of life did not change after assisted cycling in non-ambulant adults with cerebral palsy. The programme was feasible, and some participants reported less leg pain and constipation.
• PTOTQualitative2026Let us tell you how to train us! experiences of children and youth with the Wheelchair Skills Training Program and their preferences for training delivery: a descriptive qualitative study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChildren and youth using manual wheelchairs liked the Wheelchair Skills Training Program when it matched their goals, used playful practice, and built a supportive trainer relationship. They wanted flexible settings, timing, and dosage. These are experiences and preferences, not evidence that the program works.
• PTOTSLPRCT2026Transfer effects of animal-assisted therapy on socioemotional skills in adult inpatient rehabilitation after acquired brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAfter six weeks, adults with brain injury who received animal-assisted occupational, speech, or physiotherapy showed more social behavior in a standardized outside-therapy task than usual therapy. Mood, thinking, motivation, quality of life and attendance did not differ. High dropouts mean this is not firm evidence.
• PTOTPilot2026Delivering Virtual Group Interventions for Youth With Persisting Symptoms After Concussion (Move&Connect-Youth) and Their Caregivers (Move&Connect-Caregivers): Fidelity and Engagement Evaluation.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesVirtual group concussion programs for youth and caregivers were mostly delivered as planned. Participants valued facilitator support and peer connection. Youth found exercises sometimes mismatched, and caregivers faced scheduling and material-access barriers. No clinical outcome results are reported here.
• SLPCohort2025The Role of Laryngology Evaluation in Parkinson Dysphonia Therapy: Process Evaluation and Outcomes.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationRequiring laryngology clearance before Parkinson disease voice therapy delayed the start from SLP intake to therapy, 117 days versus 46 days when clearance happened during therapy. Laryngoscopy findings and procedures did not differ.
• SLPQualitative2026Experiences of professionals in DHH education: challenging communicative monotony.Journal of deaf studies and deaf educationExperts in deaf education in Türkiye described spoken language as dominant, sign language as secondary, and TC as a flexible recommendation only. They linked this to policy, teacher training, setting, family choices, and limited sign language access.
• SLPQualitative2026New Zealand deaf adults' perspectives on speech-language therapy for deaf children.Journal of deaf studies and deaf educationDeaf adults in New Zealand said speech-language therapy for deaf children should support the whole child, not only speech. They asked for early access to sign and spoken language, confidence, culture, everyday communication, respectful relationships and family involvement.
• PTCase Report2026Cryoneurolysis for Spasticity in a Pediatric Patient With Cold Urticaria Managed With Targeted Skin Warming: A Case Report.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationOne child with cold urticaria had cryoneurolysis for leg spasticity with active skin warming; no cold flare occurred, and ankle and hamstring range and heel strike improved at 1 month.
• PTSLPSystematic Review2026Use of Wearable Sensors in Angelman Syndrome: A Systematic Review.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRWearable sleep and vocalization sensors have been used in small Angelman syndrome studies, mostly at home. Some matched existing measures, but device intolerance and limited testing mean they are not ready as routine clinical tools.
• OTSurvey2026Analysis of the Impact of the Use of Rehabilitation Services on Employment Outcomes for People With Disabilities: Based on Propensity Score Matching.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPeople with disabilities in China who reported receiving rehabilitation services were more likely to be employed than comparable people who did not. This cross-sectional survey cannot show the services caused employment.
• OTSLPOther2026Autism in neurofibromatosis type 1: prevalence, phenotype and clinical implications.Molecular autismIn children with neurofibromatosis type 1, 28.1% met autism criteria and 51.5% had clinically significant autistic traits. Boys and girls were equally affected. Those below the autism threshold had similar functional difficulties, so supports may be needed without a diagnosis.
• PTCohort2026Biomechanical and functional outcomes of high-burden and low-burden multilevel surgery in young people with cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyGait pattern improved after both low-burden and high-burden multilevel surgery in ambulatory young people with cerebral palsy. Functional walking capacity improved only after low-burden surgery; high-burden surgery did not improve walking capacity and walking speed decreased.
• Other2026Preliminary Testing of the English Version of the Adolescent Screener for Intelligence and Learning Disabilities (SCIL) Among Adolescents in Nigeria.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRThe 14-item SCIL screen for Nigerian adolescents at the suggested score of 15 rarely flagged people without disability but did not catch enough people who met the study's disability criteria. Lower cutoff scores of 10 to 12 caught more.
• PTOTSurvey2026Consumer Priorities for Upper-Extremity Outcome Assessments.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationStroke survivors and caregivers valued clinician-rated arm movement, strength and hand tasks over biomarkers or general disability. They preferred weekly in-person assessments during treatment.
• OTCohort2026Examining the Role of Behavioral Health Factors on Inpatient Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Outcomes Among Service Members and Veterans.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationService members and veterans improved after inpatient traumatic brain injury rehab; alcohol use before admission did not appear to reduce improvement, while tobacco use was linked to slower PTSD symptom improvement.
• PTOTCohort2026Early Gait Responsiveness as a Predictor of Functional Trajectory in Older Adults Undergoing Postacute Rehabilitation.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn older adults in postacute rehab, walking distance that increased faster during the first five therapy sessions predicted better discharge function. Each extra meter per session was linked to a 2.6-point higher FIM motor score. This is an observational signal, not proof that changing therapy dose improves outcomes.
• SLPOther2026Through deaf eyes: factors influencing suicidal behavior among deaf adults.Journal of deaf studies and deaf educationDeaf adults who reported suicidal behavior described communication barriers, audism, bullying, burnout, strained relationships, and poor access to deaf-aware mental health care as influencing it. These are self-reported associations, not proof of cause or treatment effect.
• SLPNarrative Review2026Embracing variability: toward proactive and precision-based voice science.Logopedics, phoniatrics, vocologyVoice variability may be meaningful rather than noise under a proposed framework. It is theoretical, with no patients, outcomes, or tested intervention, so it does not change clinical practice directly.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026A Systematic Review of Stair Fall Risk Assessment Instruments in Older Adults.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationStair-specific tests can add useful information to fall-risk assessment in older adults, but none is complete enough to stand alone. Timed stair tests and STEPS have the best evidence; self-report stair confidence tools are less established.
• PTCohort2026'They Even Have the Capacity, but the Places Aren't Prepared to Receive Them': Community Environment and Participation of Autistic Children in a Family-Engaged Research Analysis.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchNo measured environmental factor or income was linked to autistic children’s community participation frequency, involvement, or desire for change. Caregivers still reported low participation in many activities and barriers like safety, cost, and unprepared places.
• PTCohort2026Severity of structural lumbar spinal stenosis does not impact responsiveness to exercise-based rehabilitation.Physical therapyRadiographic stenosis severity did not change short-term response to exercise-based rehabilitation. People with mild, moderate, or severe stenosis had similar improvements in pain, disability, goals, strength, and narcotic use.
• PTOther2026Toward Automation of Motor Assessments in Stroke: Proof-of-Concept Model to Interpret Balance and Gait in Patients With Stroke.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA video model recognized sit, stand, and turn actions from balance and gait assessment recordings, but performed poorly on feet together, nudge, and walking. It is not ready to replace clinician observation.
• Other2026Assessing the Diagnostic Performance of Triglyceride-Glucose-Based Indices for Early Detection of Metabolic Syndrome in Paediatric Down Syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRIn 60 children with Down syndrome, 9 had metabolic syndrome. A blood index based on fasting triglycerides and glucose detected it as well as HOMA-IR. Adding body measurements did not improve detection.
• PTOTCase-Control2026Thumb Positioning Modulates Median Nerve Mobility and Morphology During Postural Changes in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Implications for Nerve Gliding Exercises.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationThumb abduction reduced median nerve excursion in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, suggesting nerve gliding exercises should avoid overstretching the thumb during the final step to prevent neural strain.
• PTOTPilot2026Feasibility of Behavioral Intervention and Guided Stepping Training Early Post-Stroke (BIG STEPS): A Pilot Randomized Trial.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationEarly stepping training after stroke was feasible and safe, with participants averaging 6534 steps/day versus 4031 in the control group at 12 weeks. This pilot supports larger trials but does not yet prove lasting functional gains.
• SLPCohort2026Racial and Ethnic Differences in Rates of Prolonged Autism Diagnosis Process & Prior Diagnoses in Mental Health Specialty Care.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMost children diagnosed with autism in specialty mental health care were diagnosed at the first visit, but just over 21% had a prolonged diagnosis process. Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic children were less likely than white children to have that delay.
• PTOther2026Application of Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography as an Objective Outcome Measure in Nonspecific Low Back Pain Associated with Myofascial Trigger Points.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA trained physiotherapist could measure quadratus lumborum stiffness by ultrasound with agreement close to a radiologist's. In people with nonspecific low back pain, quadratus lumborum stiffness was higher than in controls, but psoas major measurements were less consistent.
• SLPNarrative Review2025Clinical Applications of Laryngeal Ultrasonography: A Review.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationThis narrative review summarizes existing literature on laryngeal ultrasound. It reports no new patient data or outcomes, so there is no primary evidence here to change clinical practice.