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 357 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTSurvey2020The use of smartphone apps in clinical practice: A survey of South African physiotherapists.The South African journal of physiotherapy152 of 255 South African physiotherapists with smartphones used apps professionally, mainly for administrative tasks; 58 prescribed apps, but 94 did not because of quality, personalisation, safety and knowledge concerns.
• Other2020Simulation of human gait with body weight support: benchmarking models and unloading strategies.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationComputer simulations suggest a tuned-spring system for body weight support may allow walking to look more natural than a constant-force system. This is a theoretical model comparison. It has not been tested on patients, so it does not yet change clinical practice.
• PTRCT2020Effects of interactive video-game-based exercise on balance in older adults with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHospital-based supervised video-game stepping training improved Berg Balance Scale scores in the group that did it second, but not in the group that did it first, in 24 older adults with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Effects of nutritional status on prognosis in patients with severe hemiplegia who were recently admitted to a rehabilitation hospital.Journal of physical therapy sciencePatients with severe hemiplegia who had normal serum albumin levels at admission achieved better walking ability and daily living independence at discharge than undernourished patients. However, age and time since stroke onset differed significantly between the two groups.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Statistical measures of motor, sensory and cognitive performance across repeated robot-based testing.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRepeat testing on a robotic arm platform showed performance often improved due to learning, not recovery. Clinicians must use task-specific change thresholds to distinguish real skill gains from natural variability and practice effects.
• SLPOther2020Gender Differences in Emotion Dysregulation in an Autism Inpatient Psychiatric Sample.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn hospitalized youth with autism, females had higher emotion dysregulation than males, but the difference was small. Both groups had high scores compared with general youth.
• SLPRCT2020Effects of oxytocin administration on salivary sex hormone levels in autistic and neurotypical women.Molecular autismAfter taking oxytocin nasal spray, testosterone levels rose in 11 of 16 autistic women but fell in 21 of 29 neurotypical women. This suggests autistic women may react to oxytocin differently than non-autistic women, potentially affecting how they respond to treatment.
• SLPCohort2020Expediting clinician assessment in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.Developmental medicine and child neurologyA brief, standardized 15-minute observation using the CARS-2 effectively distinguished children with autism from those without in a clinic setting. Scores of 16 or higher were highly specific for autism, offering a tool to expedite diagnosis and reduce wait times for specialists.
• PTOther2020Impact of elastic ankle exoskeleton stiffness on neuromechanics and energetics of human walking across multiple speeds.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAt 1.50 m/s, no ankle exoskeleton stiffness reduced walking energy cost. At slow and fast walking, 50 Nm/rad reduced cost by 4.2% and 4.7%. The device was tethered and tested in healthy adults.
• OTOther2020Age- and gender-stratified adult myometric reference values of isometric intrinsic hand strength.Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand TherapistsAdults aged 21 and older showed different intrinsic hand strength by age, gender and body mass index. Strength usually peaked in the 30s and 40s, then declined. These values can help compare a patient's hand strength to similar peers.
• PTOTSystematic Review2020Dart thrower's motion and the injured scapholunate interosseous ligament: A scoping review of studies examining motion, orthoses, and rehabilitation.Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand TherapistsIn a torn scapholunate ligament, dart thrower motion may separate the scaphoid and lunate at end range, especially ulnar flexion. Midrange motion may be safer, but cadaver and imaging studies did not test repaired ligaments, and orthosis designs are unproven.
• PTOTOther2020Quantitative clinical assessment of motor function during and following LSVT-BIG® therapy.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWearable sensors showed that LSVT-BIG therapy improved walking speed, sit-to-stand times, and Timed-Up-and-Go scores in people with Parkinson's. These gains remained stable for 13 weeks after therapy ended. However, there was no improvement in balance or fine finger movements.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Structural validity of the mealtime behaviour questionnaire for children with autism spectrum disorder in Japan.Journal of physical therapy scienceA new 42-item questionnaire accurately groups mealtime problems in autistic children into five distinct areas: selective eating, manners, concentration, oral motor skills, and overeating. This structure helps therapists pinpoint specific causes of feeding difficulties rather than treating them as one single issue.
• PTOther2020Indirect measurement of anterior-posterior ground reaction forces using a minimal set of wearable inertial sensors: from healthy to hemiparetic walking.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThree wearable sensors on the pelvis, thigh and shank, plus a person-specific model, closely estimated walking propulsion and braking forces compared with forceplates in 10 healthy and 5 post-stroke walkers. The method still needs forceplate training.
• SLPOther2020Chemicals, noise and occupational hearing health in South Africa: A mapping study.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsSouth African occupational hearing loss is treated as a noise-only problem, ignoring chemical ototoxicity. Policies and research focus on mining, leaving informal workers exposed to solvents and medications without protection or specific guidelines.
• SLPCase-Control2020A Six-Minute Measure of Vocalizations in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchToddlers with autism produced more nonsyllabic vocalizations and fewer syllabic ones during a six-minute tablet task than typically developing children. However, these vocal patterns did not reliably distinguish autism from other developmental language delays in this small sample.
• PTOther2020Use of malleoli as an indicator for flatfoot in patients with Down syndrome: development of a simple and non-invasive evaluation method through medial longitudinal arch.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 16 children with Down syndrome and flatfoot, ankle bone heights on radiographs tracked the arch bone height closely. The inner ankle bone may be a simpler landmark for assessing flatfoot, but surface testing is still needed.
• PTRCT2020The ReWalk ReStore™ soft robotic exosuit: a multi-site clinical trial of the safety, reliability, and feasibility of exosuit-augmented post-stroke gait rehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationUsing a soft robotic exosuit for gait training was safe and feasible for stroke patients when supervised by physical therapists. After five sessions, patients walked faster both with and without the device. This pilot shows the technology works in clinics, but it does not prove the device improves long-term walking.
• PTOTOther2020Responsiveness of pain, functional capacity tests, and disability level in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoPain scores changed most after two weeks of therapy for chronic low back pain. The five-time sit-to-stand test also changed noticeably. But the functional reach and step tests barely budged. Disability scores improved less than expected. These tests may need longer to show real progress.
• SLPOther2020Estimating miners at risk for occupational noise-induced hearing loss: A review of data from a South African platinum mine.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsMiners with no baseline hearing loss were still estimated to have a 20% risk, and tuberculosis or HIV status was not recorded in the mine's records.
• PTSurvey2020Perception of tertiary care clients toward the availability of physical therapy service at primary health care centers in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional survey.Journal of physical therapy scienceSeventy-five percent of clients referred to a tertiary PT clinic in Saudi Arabia wanted PT at nearby primary care centers, mainly for faster access and less travel. They doubted PHC had skilled therapists, equipment, or wheelchair-accessible buildings.
• SLPNarrative Review2020A critical analysis of the current South African occupational health law and hearing loss.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsSouth African occupational hearing loss law is fragmented and treats noise as the main cause. Chemical, pressure, and vestibular causes are not clearly named. Workers are selectively protected, tested, and compensated.
• PTOTOther2020The effects of a defecation posture, supported by the upper limbs, on respiratory function.Journal of physical therapy scienceArm-supported forward-leaning posture on a toilet seat produced larger breath volumes and higher comfort ratings than upright or unsupported forward-leaning postures in 73 healthy young adults.
• OTSLPOther2020Incorporating discriminative stimuli into functional communication training with augmentative and alternative communication devices: a tutorial.Augmentative and alternative communication (Baltimore, Md. : 1985)This tutorial describes how to embed color-coded discriminative stimuli into AAC software to signal when communication responses are reinforced. It provides a step-by-step progression for teaching functional communication and thinning schedules, but notes that formal efficacy evaluations of these specific software applications are still needed.
• SLPSystematic Review2020Middle ear pathologies in adults within the mining industry: A systematic review.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsTwo studies found middle ear problems in mine workers: 6.4% had abnormal ear test results among 294 sand and gravel mine workers, and 14% reported prior ear drainage among 59 gold mine workers. The evidence is too small to set trends.
• SLPCase Report2020A descriptive analysis of assessment measures on the effectiveness of a comprehensive stuttering intervention approach: A single case study.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsIn one adult man who stutters, a seven-month comprehensive approach combining fluency shaping and stuttering modification reduced stuttering severity and impact scores. Self-acceptance improved. This describes one person's experience, not proof the treatment works.
• PTRCT2020Effect of home-based Tai Chi, Yoga or conventional balance exercise on functional balance and mobility among persons with idiopathic Parkinson's disease: An experimental study.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoThere was no significant difference between home-based Tai Chi, Yoga and conventional balance exercise for balance and mobility in 27 people with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease, though all three improved over eight weeks.
• SLPOther2020Masking Effects in the Perception of Multiple Simultaneous Talkers in Normal-Hearing and Cochlear Implant Listeners.Trends in hearingNormal-hearing listeners did worse as more competing talkers spoke. Mandarin-speaking cochlear implant users did slightly better with 4 competing talkers than with 1, but they still performed worse than normal-hearing listeners.
• PTOTPilot2020Web-Based Health Coaching for Spinal Cord Injury: Results From a Mixed Methods Feasibility Evaluation.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesEleven people with spinal cord injury completed a web-based peer coaching program, but none of the changes in self-efficacy, mood or secondary conditions reached significance. The authors report feasibility, not proof the intervention works.
• OTNarrative Review2020The interaction between pain and movement.Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand TherapistsNo new finding changes practice here. The article summarizes pain and movement theories and prior evidence, not original outcomes.
• PTOTSystematic Review2020Systematic review with network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of robotic-assisted arm training for improving activities of daily living and upper limb function after stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationNo robotic arm training type improved daily living or arm function significantly more than others. Indirect comparisons found no clear evidence to support choosing one specific device over another for stroke recovery.
• SLPRCT2020Self-guided mindfulness and cognitive behavioural practices reduce anxiety in autistic adults: A pilot 8-month waitlist-controlled trial of widely available online tools.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults using self-guided online mindfulness and CBT tools showed large anxiety reductions at 3 months. However, the waitlist group also improved by 6 months, eliminating any advantage of the active treatments. These tools are acceptable for high-functioning adults but may not offer lasting benefit over time.
• PTOTRCT2020Gait improvements by assisting hip movements with the robot in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFive minutes of hip-assistive robot training improved hip movement symmetry and push-off force in children with cerebral palsy, but did not increase walking speed. The benefits were temporary and seen only after the robot was removed.
• SLPOther2020Feedback-based noise management matrix in action.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsThe model predicts hearing loss, but actual damage is worse than predicted. Earmuffs failed because noise exceeded their rating. Workers still developed hearing loss even with protection, so rely on custom devices and reduce exposure time.
• PTOTRCT2020Effects of virtual reality associated with serious games for upper limb rehabilitation inpatients with multiple sclerosis: randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding Leap Motion virtual games to usual upper-limb therapy improved dexterity and coordination on the more affected side in MS, but not grip strength, fatigue, or quality of life compared with control.
• SLPSystematic Review2020Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for improving aphasia after stroke: a systematic review with network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationtDCS showed no evidence of improving functional communication after stroke. Anodal tDCS was associated with better naming nouns, especially over the left inferior frontal gyrus. Naming verbs and safety showed no differences.
• PTOTRCT2020Timing-dependent effects of transcranial direct current stimulation with mirror therapy on daily function and motor control in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationApplying tDCS before mirror therapy improved daily activities more than doing them together or with sham. However, motor function improved similarly in all three groups, so the brain stimulation did not add benefit to physical movement recovery.
• PTOTSLPRCT2020Electronic participation-focused care planning support for families: a pilot study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyCaregivers of children in early intervention used a web-based care-planning tool over two weeks. Most finished it independently in under 13 minutes. Feedback was neutral to favorable, but many found it burdensome. It is feasible for future trials but not yet a tested treatment.
• SLPCohort2020A Cross-Sectional, Quantitative Videofluoroscopic Analysis of Swallowing Physiology and Function in Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHRThickened liquids reduced unsafe swallows compared to thin liquids without increasing residue. ALS patients showed delayed airway closure and reduced pharyngeal constriction, even when they reported no swallowing symptoms. This supports instrumental assessment over symptom reporting for early detection.
• OTCase-Control2020Concentrations of Cortical GABA and Glutamate in Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchYoung adults with autism had typical brain chemical levels linked to excitation and inhibition across visual, auditory and motor regions. These levels did not relate to visual sensitivity or overall autism severity, so this study does not support an excitation-inhibition imbalance in adults.
• Other2020Loss of the neurodevelopmental disease-associated gene miR-146a impairs neural progenitor differentiation and causes learning and memory deficits.Molecular autismMouse loss of miR-146a shifted early neural progenitor balance, increased hippocampal asymmetry, and impaired fear, object, and location memory. It is a basic mechanism study, not evidence for human therapy.
• PTOther2020Characteristics of selective motor control of the lower extremity in adults with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 11 adults with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, lower limb movement control was worse at the ankle, subtalar joint, and toes than at hips and knees. Control scores related to overall mobility level, but not to stiffness or joint range.
• SLPQualitative2020Occupational noise induced hearing loss in the mining sector in South Africa: Perspectives from occupational health practitioners on how mineworkers are trained.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsOccupational health practitioners said mineworkers know only superficially about noise hearing loss, and they were unclear who should train them. Language, literacy and compensation pay-outs were seen as barriers to effective awareness.
• PTQualitative2020Exploring Physiotherapists' Use of Motor Learning Strategies in Gait-Based Interventions for Children with Cerebral Palsy.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsEight physiotherapists said child characteristics and each child's response drove their gait-strategy choices. They adapted cues and task progression during sessions, but used inconsistent language for the same strategies.
• PTOTOther2020Assessment of dynamic balancing responses following perturbations during slow walking in relation to clinical outcome measures for high-functioning post-stroke subjects.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn slow walking, 44% of stroke subjects fell outside the healthy response range for forward pushes and 27% for backward pushes; outward pushes also showed impaired responses, while inward pushes mostly did not. Routine tests related only to forward pushes.
• Other2020Predicting reactive stepping in response to perturbations by using a classification approach.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationComputer models trained on body-motion and foot-pressure data from ten healthy adults could tell whether a person would step after a forward push, but predictions were weak until the moment just before a step began. This is a lab method, not a patient test.
• SLPNarrative Review2020Engineering noise control for mines: Lessons from the world.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsEngineering controls like acoustic curtains and machine enclosures reduced noise by 2–9 dB in global mining studies. No South African data confirms these methods work locally. Treat international evidence as a guide, not proof, for local mine safety.
• PTCohort2020A comparison of turn and straight walking phases as predictors of incident falls.Gait & postureIn 253 older adults, turns and straight walking predicted falls similarly. Higher swing percent linked to lower fall risk in both, while more double support linked to higher fall risk in both. Swing time variability linked to higher risk only during turns.
• OTSurvey2019Profiles and Predictors of Smart Home Technology Adoption by Older Adults.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthOlder adults mostly own basic safety devices like alarms and thermostats but reject complex automation like voice assistants or remote monitoring. Being female, younger, or having mobility issues predicts higher adoption, but these factors explain very little of the variance, so no single profile guarantees success.
• Case Report2020Chronic nerve health following implantation of femoral nerve cuff electrodes.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn one person with spinal cord injury, femoral nerve implants caused only temporary nerve irritation that resolved by 15 weeks. Stimulation thresholds stabilized over a year, and the subject regained the ability to stand unaided for over 30 minutes.