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 375 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTCohort2021Symptoms upon postural change and orthostatic hypotension in adolescents with concussion.Brain injuryAdolescents with acute concussion did not meet blood pressure criteria for orthostatic hypotension more often than healthy controls, but they reported lightheadedness or dizziness on standing more often. Dizziness was linked with abnormal eye movement testing, not blood pressure drops.
• PTCohort2021Factors Associated With Symptomatic Rotator Cuff Tears: The Rotator Cuff Outcomes Workgroup Cohort Study.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationIn patients with shoulder pain, symptomatic rotator cuff tears were more likely with older age, dominant shoulder involvement, and higher BMI. Smoking and reported shoulder use at work were not linked. This does not prove cause.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Brain activity during real-time walking and with walking interventions after stroke: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBrain imaging during real-time walking in stroke survivors shows increased activity in motor and planning areas compared to standing, but findings vary widely by walking phase. Activation patterns are inconsistent when compared to healthy adults, and no single brain region reliably predicts walking recovery.
• PTSLPRCT2021Liuzijue qigong versus traditional breathing training for patients with post-stroke dysarthria complicated by abnormal respiratory control: Results of a single-center randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationFor stroke patients with dysarthria, adding Liuzijue qigong to basic articulation training improved speech breathing and overall speech ability more than traditional breathing training. It did not significantly improve loudness control compared to the standard approach.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Combining transcranial direct current stimulation with a motor-cognitive task: the impact on dual-task walking costs in older adults.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationApplying brain stimulation while older adults walked a complex virtual reality task cut dual-task walking costs by almost 50%. Stimulation while seated or sham stimulation during walking did not change gait costs. This immediate effect requires confirmation in larger trials before clinical use.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Comparison of use of plaster casting versus elastic bandage following carpal tunnel release: a randomized controlled study.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePlaster casting after carpal tunnel surgery offered no advantage over elastic bandaging for strength, pain, or healing. The cast group reported significantly more difficulty with daily activities at two weeks, but groups were equal by four weeks. Elastic bandaging is sufficient for postoperative care.
• OTRCT2021Does rTMS Targeting Contralesional S1 Enhance Upper Limb Somatosensory Function in Chronic Stroke? A Proof-of-Principle Study.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairHigh-frequency brain stimulation to the side opposite the stroke, paired with sensory stimulation to the affected hand, made affected-arm two-point discrimination 1.187 mm better versus sham. Other clinical sensory tests did not change.
• SLPOther2021Sex/Gender Differences in Camouflaging in Children and Adolescents with Autism.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn 84 children, girls with autism or high autistic traits took turns and built on drawings more like neurotypical girls than boys with autism or high traits did, despite similar parent-reported traits. Theory of mind and full-scale IQ were similar across groups.
• PTOTPilot2021A Brief Intervention to Support Implementation of Telerehabilitation by Community Rehabilitation Services During COVID-19: A Feasibility Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationAfter the combined six-week remote support program, more than half of client consultations were via telerehabilitation, but clinicians' perceived barriers did not change.
• SLPQualitative2020Parent perceptions of participation in a parent-mediated communication-focussed intervention with their young child with autism spectrum disorder.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents valued the therapist's non-judgmental support and video feedback, which helped them read their child's cues. However, daily home practice and clinic travel were burdensome. Some parents felt distressed when their child did not quickly start speaking, despite the therapy's benefits.
• PTSurvey2020Association among social-networking service usage via smartphone, internet addiction, and psychological stress in Japanese physical therapy university students: a single-university cross-sectional study.Journal of physical therapy scienceMale students and those who spent more time on their smartphones showed higher internet addiction scores. Passive social media use, like browsing without purpose, linked to greater psychological stress. Self-study time did not correlate with these issues.
• PTOther2020Principal motion analysis of manual stretching techniques for the ankle joints.Journal of physical therapy sciencePhysical therapists used different ways to move and press the foot when stretching a spastic foot after stroke, and the technique also differed by patient. This maps therapists' motions, not patient outcomes.
• PTOther2020Relationship between stride length and maximal ball velocity in collegiate baseball pitchers.Journal of physical therapy scienceLonger absolute stride length correlated with higher ball velocity in collegiate pitchers, but stride length relative to height or leg length did not. Stride length was unrelated to body height, leg length, or hip flexibility. This suggests coaches should not assume a longer stride is better for every pitcher without checking their specific mechanics.
• PTOther2020Throwing distance and competitive performance of Boccia players.Journal of physical therapy scienceHigher-level Boccia players threw farther than lower-level players. Certified players averaged 16.38 m, versus 10.67 m and 8.34 m. This links throwing distance with competition level, not proof training improves performance.
• PTCase-Control2020The effect of the type of foam pad used in the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (mCTSIB) on the accuracy in identifying older adults with fall history.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoBoth Airex and Neurocom foam pads identified older adults with a fall history similarly well. A mCTSIB foam score of 223 of 240 seconds, or composite score of 447 of 480 seconds, distinguished fallers from non-fallers.
• SLPCohort2020The effect of school exposure and personal contact on attitudes towards bullying and autism in schools: A cohort study with a control group.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAttending a school with a specialist autism centre increased pupils' prosocial emotions towards bullying but did not change their judgements, intended behaviours, or attitudes towards autism. Increased personal contact with autistic people was associated with more positive attitudes towards them.
• Narrative Review2020Continuing to look in the mirror: A review of neuroscientific evidence for the broken mirror hypothesis, EP-M model and STORM model of autism spectrum conditions.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceNeuroscientific evidence does not support the 'broken mirror' theory that autism stems from a global mirror neuron deficit. Instead, findings point to atypical top-down regulation of visual-motor systems. Clinicians should not assume a single broken brain mechanism explains imitation difficulties.
• PTOTSystematic Review2020Patients' perceptions with musculoskeletal disorders regarding their experience with healthcare providers and health services: an overview of reviews.Archives of physiotherapyPatients with musculoskeletal pain, arthritis or osteoporosis wanted clear tailored information, respectful communication, trusted clinicians, individualized treatment and smooth care transitions. Most evidence came from reviews of healthcare services, not physiotherapy alone.
• OTSLPSurvey2020Bilingualism in autism: Language learning profiles and social experiences.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults who know more languages rate their social life as more satisfying than monolingual peers. Proficiency in a third language also linked to higher social quality. This is a self-report correlation, not proof that learning languages improves social outcomes.
• PTSurvey2020Effects of gender and grade on differences in physiotherapy students' interest and reasons for participating in overseas volunteer programs.Journal of physical therapy scienceFemale physical therapy students reported more interest in overseas volunteer programs than male students. Grade differences appeared only among females, with first-year females reporting the highest interest. These are self-reported interests, not patient-care outcomes.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2020A systematic review and meta-analysis on effect of spinal mobilization and manipulation on cardiovascular responses.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoSpinal manipulation and mobilization slightly lowered systolic blood pressure in the main analysis, but the result was borderline and varied greatly between studies. Diastolic pressure and heart rate showed no significant change. This is not yet reliable evidence for treating hypertension.
• Other2020A Psychometrically Robust Screening Tool To Rapidly Identify Socially Impaired Monkeys In The General Population.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchThis paper validates a social impairment screening tool for rhesus macaques to aid autism research in animal models. It contains no human data, clinical outcomes, or interventions, and therefore offers nothing for physical, occupational, or speech-language therapy practice.
• OTSLPCase-Control2020Service use by youth with autism within a system-driven implementation of evidence-based practices in children's mental health services.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceYouth with autism in public mental health services received more total claims and longer care than matched peers. They received less psychotherapy but more case management, medication, and crisis services. Behavioral parent training was their most common primary evidence-based practice.
• PTOTRCT2021Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Cardiopulmonary Responses and Predictors of Change in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationEight weeks of cycling did not significantly improve peak oxygen consumption, but both exercise groups improved submaximal aerobic capacity compared to controls. Younger participants with lower baseline fitness who cycled at higher speeds showed the greatest gains.
• PTOTOther2021Implementation of evidence-based assessment of upper extremity in stroke rehabilitation: From evidence to clinical practice.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStroke therapists implemented a new upper extremity assessment guideline. Short screening tests were adopted quickly, but the comprehensive Fugl-Meyer test required significant training time. Adherence to strict assessment timelines remained difficult due to workload and staff rotation.
• PTOTPilot2021Standardizing fatigue-resistance testing during electrical stimulation of paralysed human quadriceps muscles, a practical approach.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationDistributed stimulation did not improve fatigue resistance in three men with spinal cord injury during dynamic knee extension. The protocol standardized testing at 40% of maximal evoked torque, but no electrode configuration significantly outperformed conventional stimulation.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021How persons with transtibial amputation regulate lateral stepping while walking in laterally destabilizing environments.Gait & postureBoth able-bodied adults and those with transtibial amputation tightened their lateral stepping control when faced with visual or platform perturbations. Amputees did not show impaired regulation, suggesting their balance deficits stem from biomechanics rather than a failure to adapt their stepping strategy.
• PTOTCase-Control2021Symmetry function in gait pattern analysis in patients after unilateral transfemoral amputation using a mechanical or microprocessor prosthetic knee.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA microprocessor knee did not make gait clearly more symmetrical than a mechanical knee. The two groups differed mainly in hip movements in the frontal plane, and both still walked asymmetrically compared to healthy controls.
• Case Series2021Discriminability of multiple cutaneous and proprioceptive hand percepts evoked by intraneural stimulation with Utah slanted electrode arrays in human amputees.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThree amputees with nerve implants identified different hand sensations in blind trials. They distinguished location, quality, and intensity, including proprioceptive signals. This confirms intraneural electrodes can deliver discriminable sensory feedback, a prerequisite for functional bionic arms.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021The Emergence of Autism Symptoms Prior to 18 Months of Age: A Systematic Literature Review.Journal of autism and developmental disordersInfants later diagnosed with autism showed subtle deficits in gaze, smiling, gestures and motor skills from 6 to 12 months, before full symptoms appeared. These early signs were often less frequent typical behaviors rather than unusual excesses, making them hard to spot without careful monitoring.
• PTOTCohort2021Bone quality in adults with severe motor and intellectual disabilities.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn adults with severe motor and intellectual disabilities, the ability to walk was the strongest predictor of better bone quality. Older age and anti-epileptic drug use were linked to lower bone quality. Tube feeding and sex were not significant factors.
• PTOTRCT2021Robot enhanced stroke therapy optimizes rehabilitation (RESTORE): a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationNine patients with subacute stroke completed 10 days of robotic therapy on top of standard care. They showed significant improvements in motor and function scores compared to baseline, while the control group showed minimal change.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Cortical activity during sensorial tactile stimulation in healthy adults through Vojta therapy. A randomized pilot controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStimulation at the Vojta pectoral point activated motor and sensory brain areas in healthy adults, while sham stimulation did not. This supports the therapy's neurophysiological basis but does not prove clinical effectiveness in patients with neurological disorders.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Construct validity of the Actiwatch-2 for assessing movement in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDThe Actiwatch-2 accurately detects the presence of upper body movement in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities, distinguishing it from stillness. However, it fails to identify body position or the specific type of activity, such as massage versus active play. Individual calibration is required.
• OTSLPOther2021Assessing Irritability in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the Affective Reactivity Index.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThe ARI effectively measures irritability in children with autism. Noncompliance was a stronger predictor of irritability than anxiety. Anxiety only increased irritability in children who did not have high levels of noncompliance.
• OTOther2021Family network typologies of adults with intellectual disability: Associations with psychological outcomes.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDAdults with intellectual disabilities living in supported accommodation fall into four distinct family network types. Those with the smallest, least supportive networks reported the lowest satisfaction with personal relationships and community, yet also displayed the fewest behavioural problems.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2021"Just tell me in a simple way": A qualitative study on opportunities to improve the transition from acute hospital care to home from the perspectives of patients with traumatic brain injury, families, and providers.Clinical rehabilitationPatients and families recovering from traumatic brain injury at home want simple, written education on symptoms and recovery phases, plus clear timelines for discharge. They also need a coordinated plan for follow-up care. Therapists can support this by providing plain-language materials and helping map out post-discharge goals.
• Cohort2020Weight status and associated comorbidities in children and adults with Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRChildren and adults with Down syndrome had the highest overweight or obesity rates, especially adult females. Across diagnoses, overweight or obesity was associated with sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid problems. Race showed no clear differences.
• SLPOther2020Facial emotion recognition in autistic adult females correlates with alexithymia, not autism.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn autistic women, difficulty recognising their own emotions and an outward focus were associated with poorer ability to identify others' emotions. Autism severity was not associated with accuracy, and neither was associated with speed.
• SLPOther2020The Dutch Sensory Perception Quotient-Short in adults with and without autism.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAdults with autism reported higher sensory sensitivity than neurotypical adults. Women with autism reported higher sensitivity than men with autism, a gender difference not seen in the control group. The Dutch SPQ-Short reliably measures these self-reported sensory experiences.
• PTOTSLPRCT2020Cost-effectiveness of botulinum neurotoxin A versus surgery for drooling: a randomized clinical trial.Developmental medicine and child neurologyTwo-duct ligation cost more upfront but was more effective than botulinum toxin A for drooling in children with cerebral palsy. Success rates were 63% versus 27%. The higher initial cost of surgery was offset by fewer repeat treatments, suggesting it may be more cost-effective over time.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2020Parents' perceptions and concerns about physical activity participation among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents describe promoting physical activity as an overwhelming burden. They struggle to find activities that are predictable, meaningful and adaptable, often relying on rigorous planning and advocacy to manage their adolescent's anxiety and social difficulties.
• PTRCT2020Effectiveness of hamstring stretching using a pressure biofeedback unit for 4 weeks: A randomized controlled trial.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoFour-week hamstring stretching while using a pressure unit to keep the pelvis tilted forward gave a 21.0° larger gain in knee-extension angle measured in that position than stretching without it; measured without the unit, the groups did not differ.
• PTPilot2020Acceptability and outcomes of an individualized exergaming telePT program for veterans with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.Archives of physiotherapyTen veterans with MS found remote exergaming physical therapy acceptable and improved walking distance and speed. Fatigue did not change. The pilot had no control group, so it cannot prove the program caused the gains.
• PTRCT2020Effects of incentive spirometry on cardiopulmonary parameters, functional capacity and glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoIncentive spirometry added to medical management for eight weeks did not lower fasting blood sugar more than medical management alone, but improved lung function test scores and six-minute walk distance.
• PTOther2020Abdominal muscle activation: An EMG study of the Sahrmann five-level core stability test.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoIn healthy young men, Sahrmann levels 3 and 5 produced significantly higher abdominal muscle activity than levels 1, 2, and 4. Level 5 elicited the greatest activation across all three muscle groups. No significant difference was found between levels 3 and 5, or between the three muscles within any level.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2020Sleep health practices and sleep knowledge among healthcare professionals in Dutch paediatric rehabilitation.Child: care, health and developmentAllied health professionals in Dutch paediatric rehabilitation addressed sleep less often than physicians, had low sleep knowledge, and many did not feel they knew enough. If you work with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, ask about sleep and refer when needed.
• PTSystematic Review2020Resistance Exercises in Early Functional Rehabilitation for Achilles Tendon Ruptures Are Poorly Described: A Scoping Review.The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapyEarly functional rehabilitation exercises for Achilles tendon ruptures are poorly described in research. Most studies omit critical dosage details like load and repetitions, making it nearly impossible for therapists to replicate proven protocols or compare outcomes across different treatments.
• PTOTNarrative Review2021A review of movement disorders in chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity show excessive side-to-side sway, slower shorter steps, and jerky grasping. These objective movement deficits link to sensory loss but may also involve weakness or vision reliance, requiring targeted assessment beyond patient reports.
• SLPCohort2021Saethre-Chotzen syndrome: long-term outcome of a syndrome-specific management protocol.Developmental medicine and child neurologyAmong 32 patients with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, eight needed a second skull expansion. Five of nine patients who developed papilledema had head circumference growth falling before papilledema, and abnormal transverse sinuses were more common in patients with papilledema.