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 377 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTSLPSurvey2021Disability and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPeople with chronic moderate-severe TBI reported fewer pandemic-related changes to daily life, habits, and well-being than noninjured peers. They also reported less frequent masking and staying home, while some said TBI made the pandemic harder.
• SLPSurvey2021I Have a Fear of Negative Evaluation, Get Me Out of Here! Examining Latent Constructs of Social Anxiety and Autistic Traits in Neurotypical and Autistic Young People.Journal of autism and developmental disordersFear of negative evaluation stood out as a distinct part of social anxiety in autistic and neurotypical young people. Some social difficulty questions overlapped with broader anxiety and wellbeing.
• SLPCohort2021Swallowing and Voice Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19: An Observational Cohort Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost patients referred to speech therapy for COVID-19 swallowing or voice problems improved significantly. Nearly all resumed oral intake within days and were decannulated, but more than half still had voice issues on discharge, requiring specific outpatient follow-up pathways.
• PTRCT2021Physical activity with person-centred guidance supported by a digital platform for persons with chronic widespread pain: A randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineFor people with chronic widespread pain, adding a digital platform after a person-centred physiotherapy health plan did not reduce pain more than a follow-up phone call. The phone-call group improved overall fatigue more.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Prevention and management of respiratory disease in young people with cerebral palsy: consensus statement.Developmental medicine and child neurologyRespiratory disease is a leading cause of death in cerebral palsy, but there is no high-level evidence that any intervention prevents or treats it. These guidelines rely on expert consensus to recommend risk screening for swallowing, mobility, and reflux.
• PTOther2021Regularity of kinematic data between single and dual-task treadmill walking in people with Parkinson's disease.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn people with Parkinson’s disease, walking while naming words was associated with less predictable trunk and center-of-gravity movement, especially side to side. This was a lab measurement, not a clinical test or treatment result.
• RCT2021Brain lateralization in children with upper-limb reduction deficiency.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFive children with left-arm reductions and five controls used devices on their left hand. Dexterity scores did not differ between the groups. But children with reductions showed left-hemisphere brain activation while moving the affected side, not the right-hemisphere pattern seen in controls.
• Other2021Rationale and description of BrainLevel: Computerized repeated practice with strategy use instruction for children with acquired brain injury.Clinical rehabilitationThis paper describes the design of a new computerized cognitive training program for children with brain injury, combining games with strategy coaching. It reports no patient outcomes or trial results, as the effectiveness is currently being evaluated in a separate clinical trial.
• SLPRCT2021Sibling Configuration as a Moderator of the Effectiveness of a Theory of Mind Training in Children with Autism: a Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAfter an eight-week theory-of-mind training, sibling number and having an older sibling did not predict gains in theory-of-mind knowledge or overall autistic traits. They did predict better parent-reported everyday theory-of-mind behavior and fewer social-cognition problems.
• Pilot2021Intervention effects on professionals' attitudes towards the participation of adults with visual and severe or profound intellectual disabilities.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDDirect support professionals who received participation training wrote profiles of their clients that listed significantly fewer disabilities after six months. However, their self-reported attitudes showed no significant improvement compared to standard care, and a simple information brochure produced similar or better attitude changes.
• SLPRCT2021Parent utilization of ImPACT intervention strategies is a mediator of proximal then distal social communication outcomes in younger siblings of children with ASD.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceThe training did not directly improve children's social communication or expressive language. It was associated with later improvement through parents using ImPACT strategies after training, then better motor imitation or intentional communication.
• OTRCT2021Achieving Independence and Mastery in School: An Open Trial in the Outpatient Setting.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMiddle schoolers with autism and their parents completed a 7-week clinic-based program teaching organization and study skills. All 21 families finished the course. Parents reported large improvements in homework habits, while teachers noted modest gains in productivity and assignment completion.
• SLPQualitative2021'I Felt Like I was Floating in Space': Autistic Adults' Experiences of Low Mood and Depression.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic adults described low mood as linked to feeling different, hiding emotions to fit in, and finding it hard to ask for support. Several said visual aids helped them identify emotions.
• Pilot2021How sandbag-able are concussion sideline assessments? A close look at eye movements to uncover strategies.Brain injuryWhen twenty healthy volunteers were coached to fake poor King-Devick test scores, their eye movements changed. Longer pauses between eye movements, more eye movements, and more backward eye movements helped detect the faking.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Health-Enabling Technologies to Assist Patients With Musculoskeletal Shoulder Disorders When Exercising at Home: Scoping Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesMost home exercise technologies for shoulder pain are prototypes that track range of motion but rarely check movement quality. Only eight studies showed significant clinical improvements, so these tools currently assist rather than replace therapy.
• PTOTSLPPilot2020Relationship between correcting error and smoothness of movement in the process of motor learning.Journal of physical therapy scienceTwelve healthy adults learned to distribute weight evenly during sit-to-stand. Load errors dropped significantly after practice, but movement smoothness only improved at the lower back in one direction. This small study in healthy people does not show how patients with impairments learn.
• PTOTQualitative2020Swedish parents' experiences of their role in treatment for children with congenital limb reduction deficiency: Decision-making and treatment support.Child: care, health and developmentSwedish parents of children with congenital limb reduction deficiency described making treatment choices as both expected and uneasy, wanting clinicians to support their decisions rather than make them. They also carried daily device practice, school coordination, and aftercare duties.
• PTRCT2020Comparison between high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation and muscle energy technique on pain and trunk neuromuscular postural control in male workers with chronic low back pain: A randomised crossover trial.The South African journal of physiotherapyHVLA thrust manipulation and muscle energy technique reduced pain in men with chronic low back pain. Pain fell after the first session and again after 15 days. No clear change was seen in trunk muscle activation or standing balance.
• PTQualitative2020Aspects of the minds of mothers of children with developmental but no intellectual disabilities and the nature of these disabilities.Journal of physical therapy scienceMothers of children with developmental disabilities without intellectual impairment described a slow realization of the problem because the children appeared typical in early years. Anxiety peaked when school failure and social rejection damaged the children's self-esteem, leading to severe distress.
• PTCohort2020Relationship between low back pain and lumbar and hip joint movement in desk workers.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 10 desk workers with chronic low back pain, higher pain scores correlated with a greater proportion of lumbar movement and a smaller proportion of hip movement during forward and backward bending. The study cannot show which causes the other.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2020The Efficacy of Fall Hazards Identification on Fall Outcomes: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationFall hazard identification programs did not reduce the number of falls in adults over 50. The pooled data showed no benefit compared to usual care. While these programs help identify hazards, they did not lower fall rates in the included trials.
• PTOther2020An electroencephalography (EEG) study of short-term electromyography (EMG) biofeedback training in patients with myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius.Journal of physical therapy scienceFifteen minutes of EMG biofeedback changed brain activity in people with upper trapezius pain, but did not significantly reduce their pain scores. The relaxation effect appeared in the EEG, not in the patient's experience.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Effects of a dual task and different levels of divided attention on motor-related cortical potential.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn healthy young adults, a moderate dual task increased brain activity before finger tapping, but a complex dual task did not. This suggests that very difficult cognitive tasks may disrupt movement preparation signals rather than enhancing them, offering a potential marker for attentional load.
• Other2021Use of dementia care mapping in the care for older people with intellectual disabilities: A mixed-method study.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDStaff valued Dementia Care Mapping for revealing blind spots in their own behaviour and improving team coordination, but found it difficult to maintain the resulting action plans in daily practice.
• PTOther2021Midfoot and ankle motion during heel rise and gait are related in people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.Gait & postureIn people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, midfoot and ankle position at peak single-limb heel rise tracked position at peak ankle power during walking. People who dorsiflexed at heel rise also showed more dorsiflexion during stance.
• PTSLPCohort2021Mortality in 787,666 school pupils with and without autism: A cohort study.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceSchool-aged pupils with autism in Scotland did not have a higher overall risk of death than their peers. The mortality rate was similar between groups, though neurological conditions like epilepsy were the most common cause of death in the autism group.
• PTOTCase Report2021Rhabdomyolysis After the Use of Percussion Massage Gun: A Case Report.Physical therapyA 25-year-old woman developed severe rhabdomyolysis and muscle bruising after using a percussion massage gun on her thighs following cycling. She recovered with hospital treatment, but this single case shows the device can cause serious muscle damage, especially if used without medical supervision.
• OTSurvey2021Brief Report: Parent Perspectives on Sensory-Based Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents valued sensory interventions for their children with autism, but many found them difficult to use due to cost, access, and child resistance. They preferred low-tech, home-based items over specialized equipment. This reflects parental experience, not proof that these treatments work.
• PTOther2021Adaptations in trunk-pelvis coordination variability in response to fatiguing exercise.Gait & postureTrunk muscle fatigue reduced stride-to-stride variability between the trunk and pelvis during walking turns in healthy adults. The timing pattern of variability remained similar, and the analysis methods showed the same overall decrease.
• SLPRCT2021For which younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder does parent-mediated intervention work?Autism : the international journal of research and practiceImPACT parent teaching was associated with better later expressive language only in younger siblings who had no extra risk factors. It did not affect parenting stress or parenting efficacy.
• OTSLPSurvey2021The Association Between Autistic Traits and Disordered Eating is Moderated by Sex/Gender and Independent of Anxiety and Depression.Journal of autism and developmental disordersHigher autistic traits correlate with more disordered eating symptoms, but this link is significantly stronger in females than males. The association persists even after accounting for anxiety and depression, suggesting autistic traits are an independent factor in eating disorder risk.
• SLPSurvey2021"The doctor will see you now": Direct support professionals' perspectives on supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities accessing health care during COVID-19.Disability and health journalPhone visits were most common, and comments were mixed. Video visits were least common, but some direct support professionals found them helpful for clients with challenging behaviour. In-person visits were still used for dental care, bloodwork and injections.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Brain-Computer Interfaces for Communication: Preferences of Individuals With Locked-in Syndrome.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairPeople with locked-in syndrome want communication brain-computer interfaces that allow direct conversation and writing, controlled by imagining movement or speech. They prefer to learn about these aids when they first lose the ability to speak or move, rather than earlier in their disease.
• Qualitative2021The Self of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Qualitative Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdolescents with autism or ADHD described their self-awareness as emerging through social interactions, even when they struggled to express emotions or felt misunderstood. They actively worked to adjust their behavior to gain acceptance, rather than lacking social interest.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Comorbidity in traumatic brain injury and functional outcomes: a systematic review.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineMost studies found that having additional medical or psychiatric conditions alongside traumatic brain injury predicts poorer recovery. However, results were inconsistent across conditions, and standard comorbidity scores often failed to capture this impact.
• PTOTOther2020Comparison of DEKA Arm and Body-Powered Upper Limb Prosthesis Joint Kinematics.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAble-bodied users wearing a DEKA Arm bypass took significantly longer to complete hand tasks than those using a body-powered prosthesis, with times up to 328% higher. However, the DEKA group moved their joints closer to normal ranges. Neither device proved universally faster or smoother.
• OTCohort2020The use of online support by people with intellectual disabilities living independently during COVID-19.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRUse of an online support service for people with intellectual disabilities spiked immediately after lockdowns began. Unplanned contacts nearly doubled per user in the first few weeks, likely driven by anxiety and lack of information. Planned contacts rose more slowly and steadily over time.
• PTSurvey2020Current knowledge of idiopathic scoliosis among practising physiotherapists in South Africa.The South African journal of physiotherapySouth African physiotherapists showed gaps in idiopathic scoliosis knowledge, especially diagnosis, prevalence, bracing, and exercise methods. Most were not confident using Adam's forward bend test or a scoliometer, so first-contact screening may be missed.
• PTOTOther2020Differences in dual task paradigms and executive function ability for recreational athletes in United Arab Emirates.Journal of physical therapy scienceRecreational athletes showed no significant difference in executive function or dual-task walking speed based on sport type or activity level. Walking while counting backwards slowed gait speed for most participants, regardless of whether they played self-paced or team sports.
• PTOTQualitative2020Perceptions of Physical Activity in African American Older Adults on Hemodialysis: Themes From Key Informant Interviews.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationTen African American older adults on hemodialysis described walking to the mailbox, shopping, or using day care equipment as feasible ways to stay active. They cited pain, lack of motivation, and icy sidewalks as primary barriers, while family encouragement and personal desire to walk again drove their efforts.
• PTOTSurvey2020Effect of health consciousness behavior and health-promoting behavior on the quality of life in elders in South Korea.Journal of physical therapy scienceElders who actively engage in health-promoting behaviors, report better health, and exercise have significantly higher quality of life scores. Simply being health-conscious (knowing about health risks) was not linked to better quality of life outcomes in this group.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Cerebral Palsy Research Network Clinical Registry: Methodology and Baseline Report.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA new cerebral palsy registry has enrolled 1,858 patients across 12 sites. It captures routine care data but currently misses key therapy details like dose and duration, and has high missing data rates for communication and feeding. It is not yet ready to answer questions about which treatments work best.
• Other2020Trial-to-Trial Variability in Electrodermal Activity to Odor in Autism.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAdults with autism did not show greater trial-to-trial variability in skin conductance to odor and faces. They showed less variability to fear odor, but the overall group difference was not significant.
• PTOTOther2020Pectoralis minor length measurements in three different scapula positions.The South African journal of physiotherapyPectoralis minor length varies significantly depending on scapula position. The passive posterior tilt yields the longest measurement, while the dominant side is consistently shorter than the non-dominant side. Clinicians must specify the position used when assessing or comparing muscle length.
• SLPCohort2020Environment-Wide Association Study (En WAS) of Prenatal and Perinatal Factors Associated With Autistic Traits: A Population-Based Study.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchPrenatal parental mental health symptoms, not specific environmental exposures, were the strongest predictors of later autistic traits. No single factor stood out, suggesting a complex interplay. Clinicians should note that maternal reporting bias and genetic confounding may drive these associations rather than modifiable environmental causes.
• SLPPilot2020A Pilot Validation Study of the Newborn Behavioral Observations System: Associations with Salivary Cortisol and Temperament.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPIn healthy infants, the Newborn Behavioral Observations system's Organization of State subscale correlated with lower stress reactivity and less infant negativity. Motor and Autonomic subscales showed poor reliability. The tool may serve as a brief proxy for regulation, but requires further validation.
• PTSurvey2020The knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of physiotherapists in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, towards mental health.The South African journal of physiotherapyKwaZulu-Natal physiotherapists reported positive attitudes towards mental health but said undergraduate training left them underprepared. They learned through experience and team contact, and wanted more knowledge about medication effects and communication.
• Other2020A Novel Chd8 Mutant Mouse Displays Altered Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Enhanced Motor Coordination.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchA new mouse model of a common autism-linked gene mutation showed enhanced motor coordination and altered vocalizations, but no social deficits or repetitive behaviors. These findings contradict human autism symptoms, suggesting this specific mouse line is a poor model for clinical translation.
• Narrative Review2021Including Children with Developmental Disabilities in the Equation During this COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThis commentary outlines the risks to children with developmental disabilities during the pandemic, such as delayed diagnoses and lost therapy access. It suggests keeping clinics open and using telehealth but reports no patient outcomes or tested interventions to act on.
• SLPRCT2021Application of Latent Class Analysis to Identify Subgroups of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders who Benefit from Social Skills Training.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParent-reported difficulty interacting predicted which children with autism improved in social skills training. Those with low or average difficulty improved significantly. Those with high difficulty did not, regardless of their starting skill level. Parent and teacher involvement helped the most impaired group.