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 459 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOther2022The Kenevo microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee compared with non-microprocessor-controlled knees in individuals older than 65 years in Sweden: A cost-effectiveness and budget-impact analysis.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalFor people over 65 needing a first leg prosthesis, a microprocessor knee cost €6,576 more per patient but gained 0.58 quality-adjusted life years, yielding a cost-effectiveness ratio of €11,369 per QALY. This fell below Sweden’s higher willingness-to-pay threshold of €40,000 but exceeded the lower €8,000 threshold.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Exploring Social Support for Women Coping with a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme after Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.Journal of rehabilitation medicineWomen with heart disease often skip rehab to protect families from worry or resume housework. Support from spouses and peers helps them attend. Therapists should assess caregiving burdens and consider women-only groups to address these social barriers.
• PTOTRCT2022Comparison of Six-Minute Walk Test and Modified Bruce Treadmill Test in Paediatric Patients With Severe Burns: A Cross-Over Study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe treadmill test pushed children with severe burns to higher heart rates and perceived effort than the six-minute walk. The walk test was easier to complete and remains a useful option for patients who cannot tolerate the treadmill.
• PTOTCohort2022Prediction of bowel management independence after ischemic spinal cord injury.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineA single motor strength score taken within 40 days of ischemic spinal cord injury predicted who would regain independent bowel management at one year. The model showed fair accuracy but missed many patients who would not recover, so use it to guide expectations rather than to rule out need for support.
• PTSurvey2022Use of Standardized Outcome Measures for People With Lower Limb Amputation: A Survey of Prosthetic Practitioners in the United States.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost U.S. prosthetic practitioners used outcome measures for people with lower-limb amputation, but fewer than half used them routinely for any purpose. Limited clinic space, short appointment time, and low agreement on standardized administration made many mobility tests hard to use.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Latent Neuropsychological Profiles to Discriminate Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Active-Duty Service Members.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationStatistical clustering of symptoms and test scores separated service members into five profiles, but diagnostic labels like mild TBI or PTSD did not map cleanly to them. Many with mild TBI plus PTSD showed normal functioning, while others had combined deficits.
• PTOther2022The impact of ankle-foot orthosis's plantarflexion resistance on knee adduction moment in people with chronic stroke.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalRaising plantarflexion resistance on an articulated ankle-foot orthosis increased the knee adduction moment, a measure of medial knee loading, and shifted the center of pressure medially in people with chronic stroke. The participants did not have knee osteoarthritis.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Work-related support in clinical care for patients with a chronic disease: development of an intervention.Journal of occupational rehabilitationA new stay-at-work care pathway was developed for chronic disease patients. It uses screening cards and conversation tools to help clinicians discuss work issues during routine visits. The intervention is not yet tested for effectiveness.
• Cohort2022Sick Leave Due to Stress, What are the Costs for Dutch Employers?Journal of occupational rehabilitationDutch employees on stress-related sick leave averaged 202 calendar days, or 101 working days, costing employers €19,151 per episode. Burn-out episodes were longest and costliest. This describes absence, not tested treatment effects.
• PTOTSurvey2022Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Associated Technology Use in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: An International RIMS-SIG Mobility Survey Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPhysical activity dropped significantly in people with MS during the pandemic, driven by lost access to gyms and pools. Walking increased and remained the top choice. Most people disliked purely remote care, preferring in-person or hybrid support once restrictions lifted.
• PTOTPilot2022Art skill-based rehabilitation training for upper limb sensorimotor recovery post-stroke: A feasibility study.Clinical rehabilitationStroke patients in inpatient rehab completed high-intensity drawing tasks delivered by trained non-clinicians. Participants with severe arm weakness and cognitive impairment tolerated the program well, with 93% satisfaction and no new adverse events. This suggests art-based training is feasible as an adjunct to standard care.
• PTOTCohort2022Five-Year Cumulative Incidence of Axillary Web Syndrome and Comparison in Upper Extremity Movement, Function, Pain, and Lymphedema in Survivors of Breast Cancer With and Without Axillary Web Syndrome.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationAxillary web syndrome persisted in 50% of survivors five years after breast cancer surgery. While function and pain did not differ between those with and without the condition, survivors with AWS had significantly reduced shoulder abduction range of motion both early and late post-surgery.
• Other2022Prolonged disorders of consciousness: A response to a "critical evaluation of the new UK guidelines.".Clinical rehabilitationThe authors defend UK guidelines that restrict advanced brain imaging and EEG to research settings for patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness. They argue these techniques lack the reliability and validity required for routine clinical decision-making regarding awareness or care withdrawal.
• Other2022Climate Change and Physiatry: A Call to Proportional and Prospective Action.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationThis paper is a call to action for physiatrists regarding climate change. It outlines theoretical risks to patients with disabilities and suggests advocacy strategies. It contains no original research, no patient data, and no tested interventions.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Predictors of Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19 Development and Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationNearly half of adults with confirmed COVID-19 developed post-acute sequelae (PASC) defined as new symptoms lasting at least 31 days. Patients with PASC used significantly more rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology, both during and after their initial infection.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Can Outpatient Rehabilitation Be Continued During the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Report from a Japanese Regional Medical University Hospital.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationOutpatient rehabilitation at one Japanese hospital fell in spring 2020 but returned to prepandemic daily numbers by 2021 while screening, masking, disinfection, spaced training, and paused swallowing studies were used. No outpatient rehabilitation clusters occurred.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023Physical activity and perceived barriers in individuals with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMiddle-aged and older adults with traumatic brain injury were less likely to meet physical activity guidelines than younger adults, yet more often reported no barriers. Younger adults cited fatigue, time constraints, and gym discomfort more frequently.
• PTSurvey2023Health information seeking in the digital age: a national survey of women with disabilities.Disability and rehabilitationWomen with physical disabilities were frequent online health information seekers, but most found the information only a little helpful and described searching as effortful and frustrating.
• PTOTOther2023Assessment of Patient-Reported Physical Function in Persons With Upper Extremity Amputation: Comparison of Short Form Instruments.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationThe 13-item PROMIS Upper Extremity measure scored with amputation-specific calibration outperformed the standard 7-item version. It provided more reliable scores across a wider range of function, though it failed to distinguish between prosthesis users and non-users.
• PTOTCohort2023Impact of Opioid Use on Duration of Time Loss After Work-Related Lower Limb Injury.Journal of occupational rehabilitationWorkers with lower limb injuries who were dispensed opioids took longer to return to work. The effect was strongest for those given both strong and weak opioids, who had a median of 331 compensated days off compared to 31 days for those given no opioids.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Improving shared decision-making for prosthetic care: A qualitative needs assessment of prosthetists and new lower-limb prosthesis users.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalProsthetists and new users want shared decision-making for first prostheses but struggle to align values and options. Users need to know the journey involves socket changes and want to try components. Clinicians need better tools to elicit goals beyond walking.
• PTOTOther2022Multimodal Ambulatory Monitoring of Daily Activity and Health-Related Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Survivors of Stroke: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Validity.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn 40 community-dwelling mild stroke survivors, 7 days of smartphone prompts plus a thigh accelerometer were feasible, acceptable, and appeared to track activity and symptoms. It is not proof that any treatment works.
• PTRCT2022The Better By Moving study: A multifaceted intervention to improve physical activity in adults during hospital stay.Clinical rehabilitationA multifaceted hospital ward programme did not significantly increase patients' measured physical activity, reduce time lying in bed, shorten stay or increase discharge home. Patients and staff reported more encouragement and exercise, but no measured activity improvement was shown.
• Other2022Stroke Recovery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Position Paper on Recommendations for Rehabilitation.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationRecommendations in this stroke rehabilitation position paper are not tested interventions. It reports no original patient outcomes, so there is nothing here to change practice.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Barriers and facilitators related to self-management of shoulder pain: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis.Clinical rehabilitationPatients often abandon shoulder self-management because they expect hands-on treatment to 'fix' the problem. Clinicians reinforce this by expressing doubt about self-care. Success requires early education that challenges these beliefs, schedules follow-up support, and aligns exercises with the patient's daily routine.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Associations of Preexisting Vascular Risk Factors With Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationSmoking before head injury predicted worse function and more symptoms at six months. High blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol showed weaker or no links. Patients with any vascular risk factor were less likely to return to baseline function by six months than those with none.
• PTOTOther2022Using Implementation Science to Guide the Process of Adapting a Patient Engagement Intervention for Inpatient Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder Rehabilitation.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationClinicians and a patient advocate adapted an engagement intervention for spinal cord injury rehab. They changed goal-setting cards and trackers to fit therapy sessions but kept core principles like letting the patient choose goals.
• SLPCohort2022Research Letter: Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Disease Duration on Neuropsychological Functioning After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationIn 89 veterans with traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea, longer time since sleep apnea diagnosis was associated with worse delayed word recall. Other brief cognitive tests, and having sleep apnea at all, were not associated with scores.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Transcranial direct current stimulation in the management of phantom limb pain: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAnodal tDCS over the primary motor cortex significantly reduced phantom limb pain intensity in adults with amputation. Multi-session protocols (5-10 sessions) provided longer-lasting relief than single sessions. The effect was seen in both upper and lower limb amputees, regardless of how long ago the amputation occurred.
• OTSLPRCT2022The "Mirror Effect Plus Protocol" for acute Bell's palsy: A randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up.Clinical rehabilitationIn acute Bell's palsy, MEPP added to medication and counselling (mirror feedback, motor imagery, soft-tissue manipulation, mime therapy, neuromuscular retraining, motor learning principles) showed mixed facial symmetry results: House-Brackmann scores favoured it, but Sunnybrook scores did not differ.
• PTOTSLPRCT2022Impact of adding scapular stabilization to postural correctional exercises on symptomatic forward head posture: a randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAdding scapular stabilization to postural exercises reduced forward head posture angle from 39 to 53 degrees, versus 46 for postural exercises alone. Neck disability scores dropped more with the added exercises. Both groups improved, but the combined approach was superior for posture and pain sensitivity.
• PTOTSurvey2022Perceived impacts of COVID-19 on wellbeing among US working-age adults with ADL difficulty.Disability and health journalWorking-age adults with severe difficulty in daily activities reported much higher rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and worsened physical health than those without. They also reported more strain on family relationships, but no significant difference in financial impacts or ability to see a doctor.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2022Internet-Based Information Sharing With Families of Patients With Stroke in a Rehabilitation Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case-Control Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesStroke patients whose families received video updates on rehabilitation progress improved more in daily living activities than matched controls. However, families chose to participate, so proactive support rather than the videos may have driven the gain.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Predictors of functional outcomes in adults with brain tumor undergoing rehabilitation treatment: a systematic review.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineRehabilitation improves physical function and daily living in adults with brain tumors. Outcomes are comparable to those seen in stroke and traumatic brain injury. There are no standardized guidelines for assessment or timing, so treatment must be tailored to each patient's functional status.
• Survey2022Uptake of HPV Vaccine among young adults with disabilities, 2011 to 2018.Disability and health journalYoung adults with disabilities had HPV vaccination rates similar to young adults without disabilities. Lower uptake was linked to older age, foreign-born status, and lacking insurance, not disability itself.
• PTOTCohort2022A First View of the Effect of a Trial of Early Mobilization on the Muscle Strength and Activities of Daily Living in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With COVID-19.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn 28 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients, starting rehabilitation during intubation or after extubation led to similar functional recovery at discharge. Both groups improved, but most remained functionally dependent. This small study cannot confirm which timing is superior.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022Back to life: Is it possible to be myself again? A qualitative study with persons initially hospitalised due to COVID-19.Journal of rehabilitation medicineSix months post-hospitalization, patients valued gradual return-to-work and interdisciplinary rehab but felt abandoned as family patience waned over invisible symptoms. Some reported post-traumatic growth, while others grieved personality changes. This highlights the need for sustained support and tailored pacing.
• PTOTOther2022Physical activity enjoyment, exercise motivation, and physical activity in patients with heart failure: A mediation analysis.Clinical rehabilitationEnjoyment fully explains the link between motivation and physical activity in heart failure. A patient's motivation only translates into movement if they find the activity enjoyable. Clinicians should prioritize patient preference for enjoyment over generic motivational strategies.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2022Intensive Multi-Disciplinary Outpatient Rehabilitation for Facilitating Return-to-Work after Acquired Brain Injury: A Case-Control Study.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients in a coordinated daytime hospital programme were more likely to return to over half their previous work level than those in standard outpatient care. However, neither the primary outcome nor the overall return-to-work rate reached statistical significance, so this is a promising trend rather than proof of benefit.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Headaches in Traumatic Brain Injury: Improvement Over Time, Associations With Quality of Life, and Impact of Migraine-Type Headaches.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationHeadaches in traumatic brain injury patients generally improved over five years, but those with mild TBI had more severe and frequent headaches than those with moderate or severe injuries. Patients with migraine-type headaches reported worse quality of life, and those with moderate to severe headaches did not show significant improvement over time.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities of determining the ventilatory thresholds in subjects with a lower limb amputation and able-bodied subjects during a peak exercise test on the combined arm-leg (Cruiser) ergometer.International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptationDetermining the first ventilatory threshold on a combined arm-leg ergometer is reliable enough for group-level exercise prescription but not for individual cases. The second threshold was often impossible to identify, making it unreliable for clinical use.
• PTOTRCT2023Elbow flexion contractures in neonatal brachial plexus palsy: A one-year comparison of dynamic orthosis and serial casting.Clinical rehabilitationAfter one year, a dynamic night orthosis and serial casting reduced elbow contractures in children with brachial plexus injury by a similar amount. Serial casting worked faster in the first few months, but the difference disappeared by 54 weeks. Functional outcomes and adherence were comparable.
• PTOTCohort2023Footwear characteristics and foot problems in community dwelling people with stroke: a cross-sectional observational study.Disability and rehabilitationEvery one of the thirty people with chronic stroke in this study had at least one foot problem, yet most wore slippers indoors. Half of those indoor shoes were ill-fitting. Clinicians should check footwear and foot health directly, as patients often miss these issues.
• PTCohort2023Feasibility and Safety of Active Physiotherapy in the Intensive Care Unit for Intubated Patients with Malignancy.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIntubated cancer patients in the ICU received physiotherapy as often as non-cancer patients. Adverse events were rare and similar in both groups. This supports starting mobilization in ICU patients with malignancy, despite their longer stays and lower initial strength.
• Other2023A Sensibility Assessment of the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT): A Tool to Help Workers with an Episodic Disability Plan Workplace Support.Journal of occupational rehabilitationMost participants found the JDAPT job demand questions understandable and relevant for identifying work challenges and planning support without naming a diagnosis. The screening questions missed some difficulties, so the full questions may be needed.
• OTSLPQualitative2023Learning to flourish in a new reality: a thematic analysis of couples' experience of participation in a positive psychology intervention post-stroke.Disability and rehabilitationCouples after stroke described ReStoreD activities as giving them ways to notice feelings, slow down, spend intentional time together, and talk about difficult things. Some care-partners felt sadder seeing what they missed, so it is not a relationship fix.
• Other2023Assessment of Neurological Impairment and Recovery Using Statistical Models of Neurologically Healthy Behavior.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairThis paper proposes a new statistical model to measure arm movement after stroke using a robot, but it does not report clinical trial results or validate the method against standard care. There are no findings here to change current therapy practice.
• OTQualitative2023"I grabbed my stuff and walked out": Precarious workers' responses and next steps when faced with procedural unfairness during work injury and claims processes.Journal of occupational rehabilitationWorkers with insecure jobs often did not resist at first because they were confused, then fought back with anger, or quit claims or jobs after feeling unsupported. Winning appeals left them determined but wary.
• PTOTCohort2023Perceived Injustice as a Determinant of the Severity of Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms Following Occupational Injury.Journal of occupational rehabilitationIn 187 workers off duty after injury, stronger feelings of unfairness were linked to worse post-traumatic stress symptoms over 6 weeks. Women reported more severe pain and stress symptoms. This does not prove injustice caused symptoms.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023Why Questionnaire Scores Are Not Measures: A Question-Raising Article.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationQuestionnaire scores are counts of behaviors, not true measures of ability. A higher score does not guarantee a patient has more of the trait being tested. Clinicians should treat raw scores as rough approximations, not precise metrics, when judging patient progress or comparing groups.