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 365 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTCohort2020Relationship between upper limb motor function and activities of daily living after removing the influence of lower limb motor function in subacute patients with stroke: A cross-sectional study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTUpper limb motor function correlates with total ADL independence, but this link weakens significantly once lower limb function is accounted for. Only specific self-care tasks and stair climbing remain associated with upper limb strength after removing lower limb influence.
• PTCase Series2020Preoperative pain neuroscience education for shoulder surgery: A case series.The South African journal of physiotherapyIn 12 patients awaiting shoulder surgery, one session of pain education did not reduce pain ratings. It did increase pressure pain threshold at the operated shoulder and reduce fear of movement, though the fear reduction was smaller than the minimal clinical difference.
• OTCase Report2020Prism adaptation treatment for spatial neglect post brain tumour removal: A case report.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTA woman with left spatial neglect after brain tumour surgery tolerated prism adaptation during occupational therapy. Some neglect measures improved, especially daily function, but one case cannot show the treatment caused the change.
• SLPOther2020Development of the Signposting Questionnaire for Autism (SQ-A): measurement comparison with the 10-item Autism Spectrum Quotient-Child and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in the UK and Latvia.Molecular autismA new 14-item parent questionnaire for autism signs separated diagnosed autistic children from those with other special needs and no difficulties in both the UK and Latvia. It tracks closely with an existing short autism screen, offering a quick way to spot key behaviours.
• OTPilot2020Effects of peripheral nerve stimulation on paralysed upper limb functional recovery in chronic stroke patients undergoing low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and occupational therapy: A pilot study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTAdding peripheral nerve stimulation to occupational therapy improved hand motor scores, but the primary measure of functional object manipulation showed no difference between groups. The benefit was seen only in a secondary hand-specific test.
• PTRCT2020Usefulness of a simulated experience method for transfer assistance for hemiplegia or limited range of motion in multiple joints.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter a 3-minute simulated experience session, nursing assistants helped a mock care recipient put more load on the lower limbs during transfer. The load difference was 107.9 ± 123.6 N for pseudo-hemiplegia and 149.1 ± 132.4 N for limited joint motion.
• OTQualitative2020What are psychosocial risk factors for entrepreneurs to become unfit for work? A qualitative exploration.Work (Reading, Mass.)Entrepreneurs reported six psychosocial risk factors: financial stress, conflicts of interest, high responsibility, long hours, management issues, and administrative burdens. They identified stress resistance, flexibility, and good leadership as key traits for coping with these demands.
• SLPOther2021Using topic modeling to infer the emotional state of people living with Parkinson's disease.Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNAFor short speech turns, an automated topic model predicted emotional content better than a standard word-count tool. For longer interviews, the word-count tool was more accurate. Neither method is ready for clinical use, but the topic model may help caregivers interpret brief exchanges where facial masking obscures true feelings.
• OTRCT2021Cognitive oriented strategy training augmented rehabilitation (COSTAR) for ischemic stroke: a pilot exploratory randomized controlled study.Disability and rehabilitationAdding cognitive strategy training to task-specific stroke rehab showed no advantage over task-specific training alone. Both groups improved similarly on primary outcomes, though dropout was high. The added cognitive components did not produce measurable gains in activity performance or maintenance at follow-up.
• PTOTCohort2021Sociodemographic and clinical correlates of device-measured sedentary behaviour in multiple sclerosis.Disability and rehabilitationPeople with MS spend nearly 9 hours a day sedentary. Those who are older, have progressive MS, or higher disability spend even more time sitting in long, uninterrupted bouts. Self-report likely underestimates this burden, so objective monitoring is needed to target interventions.
• RCT2020Neurocognitive functioning in symptomatic adults with sickle cell disease: A description and comparison with unaffected siblings.Neuropsychological rehabilitationSymptomatic adults with sickle cell disease showed slower processing speed than their healthy siblings. While formal cognitive tests were normal, patients reported more executive dysfunction. These self-reported difficulties were linked to pain and depressive symptoms, not just the disease itself.
• PTOTSLPRCT2020The development of a manual-based digital memory notebook intervention with case study illustrations.Neuropsychological rehabilitationThree individuals with memory impairment used a digital notebook after 5–6 home sessions. Two reported improved daily function and memory; one did not, possibly due to app bugs and longer follow-up. All three reported better coping self-efficacy. This is a pilot case series, not evidence of efficacy.
• PTOTCohort2020Disability and Pain are the Best Predictors of Sick Leave After a Distal Radius Fracture in Men.Journal of occupational rehabilitationMen with distal radius fracture who reported more disability and pain one week after injury were more likely to have longer sick leave. Early symptoms tracked work loss more closely than fracture severity or treatment.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Behavior Problems Following Childhood TBI: The Role of Sex, Age, and Time Since Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationLow family income predicted behavior problems more strongly than injury severity did. Girls injured in adolescence showed higher attention and externalizing symptoms than boys. Social competence improved as time passed, but early deficits were common.
• PTSystematic Review2020A Systematic Review of Workplace Interventions to Rehabilitate Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Employees with Physical Demanding Work.Journal of occupational rehabilitationWorkplace strength-training programmes had the clearest evidence of reducing musculoskeletal pain in physically demanding jobs. Stress management, participatory ergonomics, and multifaceted programmes showed no benefit.
• Other2020Measuring emotional suppression in caregivers of adults with traumatic brain injury.Rehabilitation psychologyA new brief questionnaire reliably measures emotional suppression in caregivers of adults with traumatic brain injury. It identifies caregivers at risk for negative outcomes in under a minute, allowing therapists to spot those needing support for hiding their feelings.
• OTOther2020Dynamic changes in seating pressure gradient in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNAReclining a power wheelchair from 10 to 30 degrees lowered the steepness of pressure differences under the sit bones. Tilting from 15 to 35 degrees changed the direction of those differences. The study did not test pressure ulcer prevention.
• PTOTCohort2020Individualized OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment for Upper Limb Spasticity Resulted in High Clinician- and Patient-Reported Satisfaction: Long-Term Observational Results from the ASPIRE Study.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMost clinicians and patients were satisfied with onabotulinumtoxinA for adult upper limb spasticity, and reported difficulty with dressing, hygiene, posture and pain improved. Treatment varied widely, so this describes real-world use, not proof of benefit.
• Other2020Wellbeing at older ages: Towards an inclusive and multidimensional measure.Disability and health journalMost older adults with disabilities do not meet this study's threshold for wellbeing, with rates ranging from 4% to 18% depending on the limitation type. However, they share similar levels of social connection and health insurance coverage as those without disabilities.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2020Health behaviors and disordered eating in adolescents and young adults with spina bifida: results from a national survey.Disability and rehabilitationAdolescents and young adults with spina bifida reported higher rates of purging and restricting than typically developing peers. This risk extended to males and those with lower body mass index, meaning weight-based screening alone misses those already underweight or healthy.
• OTCase Series2020Feasibility of an iterative rehabilitation intervention for stroke delivered remotely using mobile health technology.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyFive chronic stroke survivors used a mobile app to practice goal-setting strategies remotely. Participants reported high satisfaction and felt understood by therapists, with no adverse events. The study adapted the intervention protocol but did not test whether the approach improves function or reduces disability.
• PTRCT2020Efficacy and Safety of AbobotulinumtoxinA for the Treatment of Hemiparesis in Adults with Lower Limb Spasticity Previously Treated With Other Botulinum Toxins: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationWith ongoing physiotherapy and stable concomitant medications, such as pain medication, anticholinergic drugs, and muscle relaxants, abobotulinumtoxinA 1000 U or 1500 U showed larger tone reductions than placebo. These subgroup differences were not tested.
• PTOTCohortHealth Phenotypes and Neurobehavioral Symptom Severity Among Post-9/11 Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationAmong post-9/11 Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury, symptom burden varied by health phenotype. Polytrauma and Moderately Healthy+Decline groups reported more severe symptoms and daily-life interference than Moderately Healthy, especially affective symptoms.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Association of formal and informal care with health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms: findings from the Caring for Adults Recovering from the Effects of Stroke study.Disability and rehabilitationStroke survivors receiving only informal care reported significantly higher depressive symptoms than those receiving no care. Shared care involving both formal and informal sources showed no difference in depression or quality of life compared to no care, despite the shared care group having more severe strokes.
• OTCase Report2021Testing of a 3D printed hand exoskeleton for an individual with stroke: a case study.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyA 3D-printed passive exoskeleton helped one stroke survivor extend his hand and grasp blocks with a normal pinch, rather than wedging them between fingers. The device scored well for usability, but this single case cannot prove it works for other patients.
• PTOTCohort2021Vocational Rehabilitation with or without Work Module for Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Sick Leave from Work: Longitudinal Impact on Work Participation.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAdding a work module to vocational rehabilitation was associated with higher work participation at 6 months, but not at discharge. The study was observational with high dropout, so this suggests a benefit rather than proving it.
• PTOTSLPPilot2021Development of a dyadic sleep intervention for Alzheimer's disease patients and their caregivers.Disability and rehabilitationA five-session sleep program for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers showed promising self-reported improvements in sleep and daily habits. It was not designed to prove efficacy, but it successfully refined materials for a future trial.
• OTSLPCohort2021Memory Support System training in mild cognitive impairment: Predictors of learning and adherence.Neuropsychological rehabilitationPatients with mild cognitive impairment who learned the Memory Support System better at the end of a 10-day program were more likely to keep using it at 6, 12, and 18 months. Baseline global cognition predicted how well they learned the system.
• SLPCase Series2021Treatment of verbal short-term memory abilities to improve language function in aphasia: A case series treatment study.Neuropsychological rehabilitationDelayed repetition produced modest gains for three participants on the treated task, and only one maintained the gain at one month. Concrete span improved for eight participants, but responses were mixed, so do not expect it to help all aphasia profiles.
• Other2021Assistive game controller for artificial intelligence-enhanced telerehabilitation post-stroke.Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNATwo healthy adults rated a new hand controller for stroke games as useful and easy to learn. They reported no difficulty putting it on. Because they had normal hand function and cognition, this does not show the device works for people with stroke impairments.
• PTOTRCT2021The Effect of Repeated abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®) Injections on Walking Velocity in Persons with Spastic Hemiparesis Caused by Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationRepeated lower-limb abobotulinumtoxinA injections were associated with higher walking speed, step length, and cadence after four injections in chronic spastic hemiparesis. Walking was not the primary outcome, and this was a before-after analysis.
• PTOTPilot2020Assistive technology self-management intervention for older Hispanics: a feasibility study.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyA culturally tailored group programme for older Puerto Ricans was feasible and well-accepted, with nine participants attending 85% of sessions. Participants reported learning new strategies and using abandoned devices. However, global health scores declined slightly, and the study was too small to prove the intervention works.
• Other2020TBI-CareQOL military health care frustration in caregivers of service members/veterans with traumatic brain injury.Rehabilitation psychologyA short questionnaire captures caregivers' frustration with military health care for traumatic brain injury. It appears reliable, takes under one minute, and high scores may flag caregivers needing follow-up. Frustration does not prove services are poor.
• PTOTCohort2020Longitudinal depressive and anxiety symptoms of adult injury patients in Kenya and their risk factors.Disability and rehabilitationMost injury survivors in Kenya had low distress, but 13% developed persistent elevated depression and anxiety. This group faced three times higher disability and very low return-to-work rates. Risk factors included being female, prior trauma exposure, and long hospital stays.
• Survey2020Reliability and validity data to support the clinical utility of the Traumatic Brain Injury Caregiver Quality of Life (TBI-CareQOL).Rehabilitation psychologyThe TBI-CareQOL caregiver measures are short, stable over three weeks, and distinguish caregivers of lower-functioning people with TBI from caregivers of higher-functioning people. They are measurement tools, not tested treatments.
• OTOther2020TBI-CareQOL family disruption: Family disruption in caregivers of persons with TBI.Rehabilitation psychologyA brief caregiver questionnaire consistently measured family disruption among TBI caregivers. Higher scores mean more interference in family life, and caregivers of low-functioning persons with TBI reported more disruption.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Spirituality and outcomes in caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI).Rehabilitation psychologyCaregivers with a stronger sense of life purpose and meaning coped better with the stress of caring for someone with severe brain injury. This existential well-being buffered the negative impact of the patient's disability on the caregiver's mental health more effectively than religious well-being did.
• OTSLPOther2020Assessing vigilance in caregivers after traumatic brain injury: TBI-CareQOL Caregiver Vigilance.Rehabilitation psychologyA new 6-item questionnaire measures the constant alertness caregivers of people with brain injury feel. It takes less than a minute to complete and reliably scores how much vigilance is impairing the caregiver's quality of life, distinguishing those caring for individuals with more severe disability.
• PTOTOther2020Financial difficulty in community-dwelling persons with lower limb loss is associated with reduced self-perceived health and wellbeing.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalPeople with lower limb loss who struggle to pay bills reported much greater difficulty working and doing daily activities due to physical and emotional problems. Financial difficulty was not linked to differences in physical function, pain, vitality, or mental health scores.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Severity of Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults and Risk of Ischemic Stroke and Depression.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationIn older adults with traumatic brain injury, high injury severity was associated with a much higher risk of ischemic stroke but not depression. Stroke risk was 6.68 times higher in the severe group. This suggests monitoring for stroke, not mood, based on injury severity.
• PTOTCohort2020Predicting Long-Term Sickness Absence and Identifying Subgroups Among Individuals Without an Employment Contract.Journal of occupational rehabilitationThree questions predict who stays sick-listed for a year: education level, expected absence duration, and help-seeking ability. Workers expecting absence over three months or lacking help-seeking skills are high risk. Four subgroups emerged, with those holding negative expectations needing the most return-to-work support.
• Cohort2020Rates of hospitalization for urinary tract infections among medicaid-insured individuals by spina bifida status, Tennessee 2005-2013.Disability and health journalMedicaid-insured people with spina bifida had 68.7 urinary tract infection hospitalizations per 1,000 versus 9.1 per 1,000 in those without, highest in infants and adults. The gap remained when common chronic conditions were excluded.
• OTSystematic Review2020Return to Work for Mental Ill-Health: A Scoping Review Exploring the Impact and Role of Return-to-Work Coordinators.Journal of occupational rehabilitationEvidence on return-to-work coordinators for mental health is sparse. Coordinators did not consistently improve return-to-work rates and sometimes took longer than conventional care. Their specific strategies are poorly described, and no study checked if mental health itself improved.
• PTOTQualitative2020Examining daily physical activity in community-dwelling adults with stroke using social cognitive theory: an exploratory, qualitative study.Disability and rehabilitationStroke survivors valued independence above all else. They built confidence by mastering small tasks. They managed barriers by planning and tracking steps. Family support helped, but overprotectiveness was a major barrier. Therapists should help patients negotiate boundaries with family to maintain autonomy.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Differential Effects of Time to Initiation of Therapy on Disability and Quality of Life in Patients With Mild and Moderate to Severe Ischemic Stroke.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn adults with stroke or TIA, longer time to therapy consult was associated with worse 30-day disability and self-reported function. In mild stroke, consult time also related to cognitive concerns; in moderate to severe stroke, treatment time related to mobility and disability.
• OTCohort2020The Predictive Value of Return to Work Self-efficacy for Return to Work Among Employees with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy.Journal of occupational rehabilitationBelief in one's ability to return to work did not predict actual return to work in employees with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Once sex and treatment intent were accounted for, this self-efficacy score added no predictive value. Sex and palliative treatment were the stronger predictors.
• PTOther2020Development and Validation of an Electronic Medical Record Algorithm to Identify Phenotypes of Rotator Cuff Tear.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationAn electronic record algorithm identified rotator cuff tear with sensitivity 0.68 and specificity 0.89 in validation, but it was better at ruling in than ruling out and was not tested outside one center.
• OTQualitative2020Severity of military traumatic brain injury influences caregiver health-related quality of life.Rehabilitation psychologyCaregivers of service members with moderate, severe, or penetrating brain injury described higher stress, less personal time, and family strain than caregivers of those with mild or uncertain severity. This was in 30 caregivers.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Patients with Symptomatic Hip Osteoarthritis Have Altered Kinematics during Stair Ambulation.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationPeople with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis walk up and down stairs differently than healthy controls. They turn their hips inward and their knees and ankles outward. These small changes may help avoid pain, but their long-term effect on joint health is unknown.
• PTCohort2021Association of Protein and Genetic Biomarkers With Response to Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections in Subjects With Axial Low Back Pain.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationPatients who got 50% pain relief after lumbar epidural steroid injection had higher baseline NPY and serotonin, lower CS846, and certain COMT variants. These markers were not tested to guide care.