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 401 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSystematic Review2021How wearable sensors have been utilised to evaluate frailty in older adults: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWearable sensors show promise for objectively identifying frailty in older adults, but current evidence is too varied to recommend a specific device or placement. Physical activity and gait speed appear most useful, though definitions differ widely across studies.
• SLPNarrative Review2021Language and culture in speech-language and hearing professions in South Africa: Re-imagining practice.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsSouth African speech therapists and audiologists are urged to abandon Eurocentric training and adopt Afrocentric, culturally responsive practices. The paper argues that language mismatches and structural inequalities currently hinder effective patient care and demands curriculum reform.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Hand rehabilitation programmes for second to fifth metacarpal fractures: A systematic literature review.The South African journal of physiotherapyOne high-quality trial found a structured home exercise programme matched or beat traditional physiotherapy for hand movement and function after surgery. Two observational studies suggested early self-managed mobilisation works for non-surgical fractures, but evidence remains limited.
• SLPCohort2021Personal Music Players and Hearing Loss: The HUNT Cohort Study.Trends in hearingIn adults followed for 21 years, personal music player use and weekly hours showed no association with hearing threshold. High preferred volume was associated with 1.4 dB worse hearing at 3 to 6 kHz.
• SLPOther2021Influence of Three Auditory Profiles on Aided Speech Perception in Different Noise Scenarios.Trends in hearingHearing aid users with severe auditory deficits performed worse in noise when fitted with a specific hearing aid brand that provided less gain. Users with milder deficits showed less variation between brands. This suggests fitting choices matter most for patients with complex hearing loss.
• Narrative Review2021Sonoelastography of the Shoulder: A Narrative Review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesSonoelastography shows mixed results for shoulder pain, with studies disagreeing on whether tendinopathy makes tissue stiffer or softer. It is highly operator-dependent and not yet ready to replace MRI or clinical exam for diagnosis.
• SLPOther2021Speech Movement Variability in People Who Stutter: A Vocal Tract Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHRDuring fluent nonsense-word repetition, adults who stutter had more variable lip, tongue and soft palate movements than fluent controls. They also took longer on longer or more complex words. Variability did not track stuttering severity.
• SLPOther2021Unilateral Acoustic Degradation Delays Attentional Separation of Competing Speech.Trends in hearingWhen the attended speech was degraded, 22 normal-hearing adults answered fewer content questions correctly and the brain response that picked out the target voice appeared later. This does not show a clinical fix for cochlear implant users.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Dysphagia in cervical spinal cord injury: How international literature trends can guide South African practice patterns - A scoping review.The South African journal of physiotherapyDysphagia is common in cervical spinal cord injury, often transient but risky due to respiratory compromise. Tracheostomy and ventilation are key markers. In South Africa, speech therapists are scarce, so nurses and physiotherapists should screen for swallowing issues early to prevent pneumonia.
• SLPOther2021Amplitude Growth Functions of Auditory Nerve Responses to Electric Pulse Stimulation With Varied Interphase Gaps in Cochlear Implant Users With Ipsilateral Residual Hearing.Trends in hearingChanging the gap between electrical pulses altered auditory nerve responses. Some changes related to hearing loss duration, but they did not predict speech perception.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Assessment of medical morbidities in a rhesus monkey model of naturally occurring low sociality.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMale rhesus monkeys classified as naturally low-social suffered significantly higher rates of trauma and more total injuries than socially competent peers. No differences were found in gastrointestinal, inflammation, or other medical morbidities. This supports the validity of this animal model for studying ASD-related physical risks.
• Other2021Differential effects by sex with Kmt5b loss.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMale Kmt5b heterozygous mice had early motor weakness, lower weight, and smaller brains. Female mice had social preference and stress grooming differences. These sex-specific mouse findings do not show what therapists should do.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Participation and quality of life in persons living with spinal cord injury in Norway.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePeople with spinal cord injury who participated more in work and leisure reported higher life satisfaction and mental health. Sociodemographic factors like income and education were stronger predictors of quality of life than the severity of the injury itself.
• OTSLPCohort2021Factors associated with cognitive improvement in subacute stroke survivors.Journal of rehabilitation medicineHalf of subacute stroke survivors with cognitive impairment improved clinically. Patients who could eat independently and interact socially on admission were more likely to improve. This suggests preserved daily function predicts cognitive recovery, not just baseline impairment.
• SLPNarrative Review2021Modelling speech motor programming and apraxia of speech in the DIVA/GODIVA neurocomputational framework.AphasiologyThe DIVA and GODIVA models map apraxia of speech to specific brain circuits, distinguishing damage to motor program storage from damage to sequencing and selection pathways. These frameworks explain clinical features like distorted sounds versus syllable segregation but remain theoretical models rather than tested interventions.
• OTQualitative2021Implementing Partnering for Change in Québec: Occupational Therapy Activities and Stakeholders' Perceptions.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieTherapists spent most time on classroom-wide activities and building trust with staff. Stakeholders valued this collaboration but felt one day a week was insufficient to support all students and educators equitably.
• PTOTCohort2021Morphological and skill-related fitness components as potential predictors of injury in elite netball players: A cohort study.The South African journal of physiotherapyHigher body fat percentage predicted lower injury risk in elite netball players, while no skill-related fitness test predicted injury. The protective effect of heavier players may reflect contact injuries where lighter players are more vulnerable.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Perceived Barriers to Blood Flow Restriction Training.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThree barriers stop clinicians from using blood flow restriction: choosing pressure, picking a device, and managing pain. The authors recommend using limb occlusion pressure, avoiding elastic wraps, and starting with low pressure to help patients tolerate the exercise.
• Other2021Overcoming hurdles to intervention studies with autistic children with profound communication difficulties and their families.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceThis paper offers practical advice for researchers running trials with non-verbal or minimally verbal autistic children. It describes how to manage testing environments, engage families, and handle challenging behaviours. It does not report whether any intervention worked or what the trial results were.
• OTCohort2020Pre-placement examinations for newly recruited health care support staff.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTNewly recruited health support staff had lower handgrip strength than local norms, but weak grip did not predict musculoskeletal symptoms. Only lower bilateral lifting capacity was significantly associated with current symptoms, suggesting pre-placement exams should prioritize functional lifting tests over grip strength.
• OTSurvey2020Current practices and factors affecting evidence-based occupational therapy practice for patients with dementia in Japan.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTJust under half of surveyed Japanese occupational therapists reported practicing evidence-based care frequently. The strongest barrier was self-rated ability to understand scientific papers, followed by access to information and availability of advice from colleagues.
• OTOther2020Development of the final version of the occupational adaptation questionnaire for family caregivers.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTA questionnaire for family caregivers in Japan covered gratitude, life balance, caring awareness, health and social role. It can help occupational therapists ask about caregiver problems, but it has no cutoffs.
• SLPOther2021Examination of the ADOS-2 Expressive Language Score in Fragile X Syndrome.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesThe ADOS-2 Expressive Language Score tracks expressive language in adolescents with Fragile X Syndrome, correlating strongly with parent reports and direct tests. It does not reflect anxiety or rule-breaking behaviors, making it a useful quick proxy for language ability when comprehensive testing is not possible.
• PTOther2021Exercise-related fatigue affects joint-driven resistance: comparison of flexor and extensor.Journal of physical therapy scienceFatiguing elbow exercises increased joint resistance in healthy men. The effect was strongest in the distal range of motion after biceps fatigue. Triceps fatigue caused smaller, less consistent increases in resistance.
• Other2021New guidance to seekers of autism biomarkers: an update from studies of identical twins.Molecular autismThis paper offers no new clinical findings. It is a theoretical review arguing that autism severity varies in identical twins due to non-shared environmental factors, which complicates the search for biological markers. It does not test treatments or provide guidance for direct patient care.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Leisure and Productivity in Older Adults with Cancer: A Systematic Review.Occupational therapy internationalCancer limits social leisure and physical activity in older adults, with 14% to 18% reporting social restrictions. Patients often abandon valued tasks for low-demand activities. Evidence for occupational therapy interventions is sparse, relying mostly on case reports rather than trials.
• OTOther2021A video game based hand grip system for measuring muscle force in children.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA video game hand grip matched published grip norms in 14 of 20 age groups, and all but one of 13 patients with muscle disease finished. It is not yet a tested clinical measure for therapy changes.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2021Validation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for traumatic brain injury from Australian community patient perspectives.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAustralian TBI survivors confirmed most standard disability categories but highlighted missing subjective experiences. These included distorted taste, muscle stiffness, and the distress of adjusting to memory gaps. Clinicians should assess these specific sensory and psychological changes, which are often overlooked in standard care.
• PTOther2021Blended teaching versus traditional teaching for undergraduate physiotherapy students at the University of the Witwatersrand.The South African journal of physiotherapyBlended teaching significantly improved theoretical exam scores compared to traditional lectures, but did not improve clinical performance marks. Students generally preferred the blended format, though some found the volume of resources overwhelming.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2021Long Term Exercise Engagement of Adults Living With Type Two Diabetes Is Enhanced by a Person-Centred Care Approach Delivered by Knowledgeable, Well Trained Health Care Professionals.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeople with type 2 diabetes stayed in a community exercise programme for the blood pressure checks, social contact and tailored advice. Exercise was the added bonus. Clinicians should focus on building trust and safety first, then introduce movement.
• PTOTRCT2021Repeated standing back extension exercise: Influence on muscle shear modulus change after lumbodorsal muscle fatigue.Work (Reading, Mass.)After inducing back muscle fatigue, five sets of standing back extension exercises significantly reduced muscle stiffness in healthy men. The exercise had no effect on stiffness in participants who were not fatigued first.
• PTOTCohort2021Differences in physical function across cancer recovery phases: Findings from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey.The British journal of occupational therapyRecent cancer survivors reported significantly more difficulty with high-level tasks like standing for two hours, walking a quarter-mile, and working than those two or more years post-diagnosis. Basic daily activities like eating and bathing showed no difference. Screening should prioritize mobility and work capacity early in recovery.
• PTOther2021Decoloniality in physiotherapy education, research and practice in South Africa.The South African journal of physiotherapyThis paper is an opinion piece and contains no clinical evidence or research findings to act on.
• SLPCohort2021Spoken Word Learning in Children With Developmental Language Disorder or Dyslexia.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHRChildren with dyslexia-only struggled to learn new spoken words across all tasks, despite having average vocabulary and language skills. Children with DLD-only showed only mild difficulties, primarily with verbal semantic recall. The dyslexia group's struggles appeared to be linking new words to meanings, not just phonology.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Exploration of Sensory Processing Difficulties among Children Attending Primary School in Denmark.Occupational therapy internationalParents of 1,723 Danish primary school children reported that 21.3% showed definite sensory processing difficulties, with boys more affected than girls. The most common issues were sensory seeking and auditory filtering, suggesting a need for classroom awareness rather than clinical diagnosis.
• PTOther2021Stabilization of postural sway on a sideward slope using cuboid support insoles.Journal of physical therapy scienceOn a 15° side slope, cuboid-support insoles had a shorter path traced by the body's balance point during standing than no insoles and the other tested insoles, in people with flat and normal feet. The area covered by that movement did not change.
• PTSurvey2021Sleep disorders and depression due to menopausal symptoms in middle-aged Korean females.Journal of physical therapy scienceMiddle-aged women reporting severe menopausal symptoms also scored higher for sleep problems and depression on a 1 to 10 scale. The study is cross-sectional, so it shows an association but cannot prove that menopause caused the sleep or mood issues.
• OTSLPOther2021Assessing general and autism-relevant quality of life in autistic adults: A psychometric investigation using item response theory.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchThe ASQoL measure produced biased results for autistic women compared to men, falsely suggesting lower quality of life. The 4-item WHOQOL-4 was stable across groups and accurately measured global quality of life, making it a better choice for clinical assessment.
• OTSurvey2021Role Perception and Professional Identity of Occupational Therapists Working in Education Systems: Perception du rôle et identité professionnelle des ergothérapeutes qui travaillent dans les systèmes scolaires.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieOccupational therapists in education systems gave teamwork with educational staff a score of 3.26 on a 1 to 7 scale, yet this teamwork was the strongest area associated with professional identity. Seniority in education and feeling professionally capable also added to that identity.
• OTSurvey2021An investigation of the diet, exercise, sleep, BMI, and health outcomes of autistic adults.Molecular autismAutistic adults were less likely than non-autistic adults to meet minimal diet, exercise, and sleep recommendations, with more sleep problems and dietary restrictions, especially among autistic females.
• SLPCohort2021Short-term trajectories of restricted and repetitive behaviors in minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMinimally verbal school-aged children displayed frequent restricted and repetitive behaviors, mostly verbal rather than object-focused. Rates remained stable during active social communication treatment but significantly decreased three months after the intervention ended.
• SLPOther2021Effects of Noise and Second Language on Conversational Dynamics in Task Dialogue.Trends in hearingTurn-taking timing changed only slightly, but pairs took longer on the task in noise and English, spoke louder in noise, and spoke slower in English. For SLPs, noise and second language changed speech and interaction, not just turn timing.
• PTNarrative Review2021Physiotherapy and pelvic floor health within a contemporary biopsychosocial model of care: From research to education and clinical practice.The South African journal of physiotherapyPelvic floor muscle training can improve or cure urinary incontinence in women. Most pelvic health research still focuses on physical function, not mood, work, communication or tailored care.
• PTCase Report2021Dry needling for treating spasticity in multiple sclerosis.Journal of physical therapy sciencePain, spasms, walking and quality-of-life scores improved in 12 people with relapsing-remitting MS after 4 months of lower-limb dry needling, but the gains were gone one month later. Without a control group, dry needling cannot be shown to have caused them.
• OTCase-Control2021Shifted phase of EEG cross-frequency coupling in individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome.Molecular autismChildren with Phelan-McDermid syndrome showed a shifted timing of brain waves compared to typically developing peers. This neural difference did not correlate with their autism severity or sensory issues, but it did track with repetitive behaviours like insistence on sameness and rituals.
• SLPSurvey2021Acoustic immittance measures and middle ear assessment: Current practice by South African audiologists.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsMost South African audiologists used only 226 Hz tympanometry, not advanced middle ear tests, citing equipment and training gaps. This is an audiologist practice survey, not evidence for PT, OT or SLP care.
• PTOther2021Ultrasound investigation into the relationship between hip adduction and the patellofemoral joint.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 40 healthy adults, moving the hip into 20° adduction consistently reduced the ultrasound gap between patella and femoral condyle by 0.18 cm. This indicates lateral patellar tilt. It may inform patellofemoral pain rehab, but patients were not tested.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Nonpharmacological Treatment for Supporting Social Participation of Adults with Depression.Occupational therapy internationalNonpharmacological interventions like animal-assisted therapy, social engagement programs, and behavioral activation can improve social participation and reduce depressive symptoms in adults. However, evidence for improved quality of life is weak, and no single program was proven superior due to varied study designs.
• OTOther2021A Comparative Study of Efficacy and Functionality of Ten Commercially Available Wrist-Hand Orthoses in Healthy Females: Wrist Range of Motion and Grip Strength Analysis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOff-the-shelf wrist splints tested in healthy women did not hold the wrist in the recommended 10 to 15° extension. None consistently prevented wrist flexion. Grip strength decreased for every splint except #6.
• Cohort2021Association between spectral electroencephalography power and autism risk and diagnosis in early development.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchInfants with a sibling with autism showed lower absolute brain activity at 3 months, but this did not predict who would develop autism. The groups converged by 36 months, meaning early EEG power alone cannot diagnose the condition.