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 372 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• Other2021Beneficiaries of Rehabilitation.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationThis paper discusses the theoretical definitions of who counts as a rehabilitation beneficiary. It reviews frameworks from epidemiology, human rights, and health accounting to propose methods for grouping users. It reports no patient outcomes or tested treatments.
• RCT2021Anxiety and Depression Reduction as Distal Outcomes of a College Transition Readiness Program for Adults with Autism.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThe STEPS college transition program reduced depression symptoms in adults with autism compared to usual care, but did not change anxiety or loneliness. Participants with greater difficulty regulating emotions reported more anxiety, depression, and isolation before starting treatment.
• SLPRCT2021Parent Perceptions of Caregiver-Mediated Telemedicine Tools for Assessing Autism Risk in Toddlers.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents found a parent-led video autism screening acceptable and comfortable. They liked guiding play with their child, but some worried the short visit could miss the behaviors they were most concerned about.
• OTSLPSurvey2021Teacher-Reported Prevalence of FASD in Kindergarten in Canada: Association with Child Development and Problems at Home.Journal of autism and developmental disordersTeacher-reported FASD in Canadian kindergarten was uncommon. Children with FASD only generally scored higher than children with other neurodevelopmental disorders on teacher-rated development, but teacher-reported home problems were more common in the FASD groups.
• Other2021Contribution of the scientific field of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine to improvements in health-related rehabilitation at all levels of the healthcare system: A discussion paper.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThis paper discusses how rehabilitation research fits into healthcare systems but reports no patient data or outcomes. There is nothing here to change your practice.
• Other2021Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Postacute Care Decision Making.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationNo tested outcome or comparison is reported. This service description of a New York health system's early COVID-19 postacute care redesign lists process changes and discharge counts, but there is no finding to change practice.
• Cohort2021Atypical Topographical Organization of Global Form and Motion Processing in 5-Month-Old Infants at Risk for Autism.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAt 5 months, infants with a sibling with autism showed visual brain responses more to the side for whole-shape and whole-motion patterns, while basic visual change processing matched controls. This is a brain signal difference, not a diagnosis.
• Other2021Five Features to Look for in Early-Phase Clinical Intervention Studies.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairFive features are suggested for reading early-phase neurorehabilitation studies, but the article reports no patients, outcomes, or tested intervention. It does not change practice.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Development and Validation of the WHO Rehabilitation Competency Framework: A Mixed Methods Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationThe final WHO rehabilitation competency framework has 5 domains, 17 competencies, 4 core values, 56 behaviors, 20 activities, and 62 tasks. It was built from existing frameworks, professional surveys, and 36 service users.
• PTCohort2021Prevalence of discomplete sensorimotor spinal cord injury as evidenced by neurophysiological methods: A cross-sectional study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineSome people with clinically complete spinal cord injury had neurophysiological signs of possible remaining sensorimotor connections. The estimate was 17 to 52 percent of 23, depending on criteria. This is not evidence that treatment works.
• SLPOther2020Visuo-attentional correlates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children with Down syndrome: A comparative study with children with idiopathic ASD.Research in developmental disabilitiesChildren with Down syndrome and autism searched for visual targets faster than those with Down syndrome alone, matching the profile seen in idiopathic autism. However, their ability to shift attention away from a central object did not differ from peers without autism.
• PTOTCase Report2020Portable neuromodulation induces neuroplasticity to re-activate motor function recovery from brain injury: a high-density MEG case study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA man with severe brain injury and a long-standing walking plateau stood for 20 minutes with minimal assistance after 14 weeks of physiotherapy plus tongue stimulation. His sitting balance scores improved substantially. This is a single case, so it does not prove the device works.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Validation of ICD-10-CM surveillance codes for traumatic brain injury inpatient hospitalizations.Brain injuryInpatient records coded for skull fractures alone often do not represent true traumatic brain injury, with a positive predictive value of 15.8%. Records coded for intracranial injury were far more accurate, confirming TBI in 96.9% of cases when listed as the primary diagnosis.
• SLPRCT2020Does implementing a new intervention disrupt use of existing evidence-based autism interventions?Autism : the international journal of research and practiceGiving teachers a computer-assisted autism program caused them to use existing one-to-one behavioral therapies less. Teachers who received the software showed almost no growth in using these therapies over the year, while control teachers increased their use significantly.
• SLPOther2020Autistic peer-to-peer information transfer is highly effective.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic people shared information and built rapport just as effectively as non-autistic people when paired with same-neurotype peers. However, mixed groups struggled significantly with both information transfer and rapport, suggesting communication breakdowns arise from diagnostic mismatch rather than inherent social deficits.
• SLPOther2020Prediction of social behavior in autism spectrum disorders: Explicit versus implicit social cognition.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic youth who took longer to infer others’ thoughts, generated less creative social responses, and processed faces and voices slowly showed more social communication difficulties. This was not a treatment study.
• OTSurvey2020Dimensions of group home culture as predictors of quality of life outcomes.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDTwo staff-perceived culture dimensions predicted resident outcomes. Better team leadership linked to higher engagement. Staff focus on well-being linked to more community participation. Culture did not predict choice or domestic tasks. These are associations, not proof that changing culture improves outcomes.
• PTOTRCT2020Fall inducing movable platform (FIMP) for overground trips and slips.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA new mobile platform successfully induced realistic trips and slips in healthy young adults without restricting their walking. The device attached to the ankle and moved with the person, allowing researchers to capture natural balance recovery reactions that treadmill studies often miss.
• PTCohort2020Factors Associated With the Outcome of a First-Line Intervention for Patients With Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis or Both: Data From the BOA Register.Physical therapyMore baseline pain was associated with larger pain reduction after a physical therapist-led education, self-management and personalized exercise programme, at home or supervised. Age and BMI were weakly associated; comorbidity, walking difficulty and wanting surgery were linked to smaller pain reduction or pain increase.
• SLPCohort2020Impact of a digital Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised on likelihood and age of autism diagnosis and referral for developmental evaluation.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceToddlers who screened positive for autism using a digital M-CHAT-R were five times more likely to receive a developmental referral by age 4 than those screened with paper. The digital tool improved referral rates but did not significantly change the age at which children were referred.
• PTOTSLPRCT2020A comprehensive scheme for the objective upper body assessments of subjects with cerebellar ataxia.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA sensor-based system accurately identified cerebellar ataxia and estimated severity. Using just two tests, finger chase and finger tapping, matched the accuracy of four tests. This suggests clinicians could rely on a shorter, objective assessment without losing diagnostic precision.
• PTPilot2020An Affordable, User-friendly Telerehabilitation System Assembled Using Existing Technologies for Individuals Isolated With COVID-19: Development and Feasibility Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesTen isolated patients with COVID-19 completed a single telerehabilitation session using a tablet, video call, remote control and pulse oximeter. They reported high satisfaction, and the exercise was reported as safe with oxygen monitoring.
• SLPOther2020Reliability and validity of the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale modified for autism spectrum disorder.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceThe modified Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale (PARS-ASD) reliably measures anxiety severity in autistic youth, including those with lower IQs. It takes under 20 minutes, requires brief training, and correlates strongly with parent-reported anxiety scales while distinguishing anxiety from core autism symptoms.
• SLPSurvey2021What Contributes to Stigma Towards Autistic University Students and Students with Other Diagnoses?Journal of autism and developmental disordersDiagnostic labels were less stigmatized than behavior descriptions. For autism and depression, labeled vignettes elicited less stigma than unlabeled vignettes, but disruptive autism behaviors were more stigmatized than withdrawn autism behaviors.
• OTOther2021COVID-19 outcomes among people with intellectual and developmental disability in California: The importance of type of residence and skilled nursing care needs.Disability and health journalMost people with IDD receiving services in California lived in family homes and had the lowest case and death rates. Skilled nursing facilities had the highest.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2021Effect of core-based exercise in people with scoliosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clinical rehabilitationCore exercises may slightly reduce spinal curvature and improve quality of life in scoliosis, but the evidence is weak and inconsistent. Pain and visible trunk rotation did not improve. Do not expect these exercises to reverse structural changes or relieve pain.
• SLPOther2021Professional Development for Enhancing Autism Spectrum Disorder Awareness in Preschool Professionals.Journal of autism and developmental disordersNine preschool professionals reported feeling more able to understand autism, adjust the classroom and prevent difficult situations after a 6-week programme. Their reported preparation time and need for further training did not show a clear change.
• PTRCT2021Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and heat to reduce pain in a chronic low back pain population: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Brazilian journal of physical therapyFor chronic low back pain, heat plus TENS did not reduce pain more than no treatment over 4 weeks. Pressure pain thresholds were higher, but main pain outcomes did not differ.
• SLPCohort2021The Association Between Maternal Prenatal Fish Intake and Child Autism-Related Traits in the EARLI and HOME Studies.Journal of autism and developmental disordersHigher fish intake in late pregnancy linked to more autism traits, not fewer. Salmon showed the opposite pattern. Results varied by fish type and cohort, with no strong overall evidence that prenatal diet changes child development.
• PTOther2021Clinical spasticity assessment using the Modified Tardieu Scale does not reflect joint angular velocity or range of motion during walking: Assessment tool implications.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe Modified Tardieu Scale fast tests were usually faster than joint movement during walking, especially at the ankle. They often did not match the range and reaction angle seen during walking, so a positive score may not mean spasticity is affecting gait.
• SLPPilot2021Digitally-Mediated Social Stories Support Children on the Autism Spectrum Adapting to a Change in a 'Real-World' Context.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn ten autistic children, a one-week digital social story intervention significantly improved teacher-rated understanding, closeness to goals, and reduced anxiety before a school camp. These pre-camp ratings correlated with fewer problems during the camp, but the study had no control group.
• PTOTCohort2021Impact of rehabilitation start time on functional outcomes after stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStarting stroke rehabilitation on day 1 or 2 was linked to better discharge outcomes than starting later. For haemorrhagic stroke specifically, starting on day 1 was worse than day 2. This is an observational association, not proof that timing causes the difference.
• PTOTRCT2021Effect of combined home-based, overground robotic-assisted gait training and usual physiotherapy on clinical functional outcomes in people with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationAdding a home-based robotic leg orthosis to usual physiotherapy improved walking distance and balance in chronic stroke survivors. These gains persisted 12 weeks after the device was removed. The robotic device alone cannot be credited as the sole cause, as all participants also received standard care.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Rehabilitation setting during and after Covid-19: An overview on recommendations.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThis review of 31 early pandemic papers produced no tested outcomes, only expert recommendations. It advises telerehabilitation and strict PPE for speech and swallowing therapists, plus phased respiratory exercises for post-acute patients.
• PTOTCohort2021Reliability and precision of single frequency bioelectrical impedance assessment of lower extremity swelling following total knee arthroplasty.Physiotherapy theory and practiceSingle-frequency bioelectrical impedance assessment is highly reliable for measuring leg swelling after knee replacement. It detects smaller true changes than tape measurements. A 2% reduction in swelling is considered a real change, helping therapists judge if treatment is working.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Measurement of range-of-motion in infants with indications of upper cervical dysfunction using the Flexion-Rotation-Test and Lateral-Flexion-Test: a blinded inter-rater reliability study in a clinical practice setting.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapyTwo manual tests for infant neck stiffness show poor agreement between therapists. The tests cannot reliably measure reduced mobility. Therapists should not use these tests alone to diagnose or decide on treatment for infants.
• PTCohort2020Strength of Plantar- and Dorsiflexors Mediates Step Regularity During a High Cognitive Load Situation in a Cross-sectional Cohort of Older and Younger Adults.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)Healthy older adults showed more irregular side-to-side stepping than younger adults, linked to ankle strength. However, carrying a tray that blocked their view made both groups step more rigidly and regularly. The study found no significant difference in dual-task walking costs between age groups.
• SLPQualitative2020Dropping out and moving on: A qualitative study of autistic people's experiences of university.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults who dropped out of university described late diagnosis, sensory overload, and a lack of proactive support as key drivers. Many felt disengagement became inevitable due to unmet expectations and outsider status, leading to long-lasting shame.
• RCT2020The effect of bright light therapy on depressive symptoms in adults with intellectual disabilities: Results of a multicentre randomized controlled trial.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDBright light therapy did not improve the main depression score more than usual care alone. Both lightbox groups showed score decreases within their own groups, but the trial was small and the main comparison was not answered clearly in adults with intellectual disabilities.
• SLPCohort2020Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in High-Risk Younger Siblings.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPThe M-CHAT-R identified autism in high-risk siblings with much higher accuracy than in the general population. Because parents of high-risk children reported concerns consistently, the follow-up interview added little value. High-risk toddlers who screen positive should be referred for evaluation immediately.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Service deserts and service oases: Utilizing geographic information systems to evaluate service availability for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceService deserts exist for autism care in Michigan. Rural areas and low-income urban neighborhoods, particularly Detroit, have significantly fewer providers and longer travel distances than wealthier suburbs. This geographic gap limits access to essential behavioral and educational services.
• PTRCT2020Multimodal Balance Training Supported by Rhythmic Auditory Stimuli in Parkinson Disease: Effects in Freezers and Nonfreezers.Physical therapyAdding metronome beats to balance and gait training in Parkinson disease gave larger balance gains than training without beats right after training in patients with and without freezing. At 6 months, the metronome group still had balance improvements compared with baseline.
• PTPilot2020The Motor skills At Playtime intervention improves children's locomotor skills: A feasibility study.Child: care, health and developmentOutdoor play with added motor stations and brief demonstrations was linked to greater locomotor skill gains than usual free play over 15 weeks. Ball skills did not show a clear group difference.
• SLPSystematic Review2020Measuring change in facial emotion recognition in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceOnly six of 36 tests used in ASD intervention studies had been used by more than one research team. The most common test found change in only 7 of 21 studies, so no single measure reliably detects change.
• OTCase-Control2020Sensory profiles in adults with and without ADHD.Research in developmental disabilitiesAdults with ADHD reported different sensory processing than matched adults, even after accounting for anxiety or depression. They missed weak stimuli more, were more sensitive to detail, and sought more sensation, but did not report more avoidance.
• PTCohortNIH Toolbox Cognition Battery in Young and Older Adults: Reliability and Relationship to Adiposity and Physical Activity.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)The NIH Toolbox executive function tests showed acceptable day-to-day stability in healthy adults. Older participants had more consistent scores than younger ones. Age and body fat percentage correlated with cognitive performance, but self-reported physical activity did not.
• PTCohortFrailty and Function in Heart Failure: Predictors of 30-Day Hospital Readmission?Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)Lower physical function and higher frailty scores were associated with a greater risk of hospital readmission in older adults with heart failure. However, no specific score on either measure could accurately identify which patients would be readmitted within 30 days.
• PTRCTLong-Term Efficacy of Treatment Effects After a Kyphosis Exercise and Posture Training Intervention in Older Community-Dwelling Adults: A Cohort Study.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)3.0 years after a 3-month kyphosis exercise and posture program, kyphosis measured by kyphometer decreased by 1.5 degrees, not different from the change during the program. Lordosis improved, but several physical function and quality-of-life scores declined.
• PTRCT2021Dose-related effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineHigher intensity shock wave therapy worked better than lower intensity or placebo for knee osteoarthritis pain and function. The number of shocks (2,000 vs 4,000) made little difference. No serious side effects occurred.
• OTPilot2021Inpatient Virtual Vision Clinic Improves Access to Vision Rehabilitation Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationVirtual vision consults using iPad tests and OT support increased monthly vision rehabilitation visits at an acute rehab hospital. Access continued during the COVID-19 quarantine, though visits were lower.