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 507 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTPilot2023A 3-minute recumbent stepper test in chronic stroke.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationIn 15 people with chronic stroke, a 3-minute all-out recumbent stepper test after a graded exercise test raised peak heart rate more than the recumbent stepper graded test alone. It did not outperform treadmill testing, and its screening value is not proven.
• OTOther2023Immersive virtual reality: An effective strategy for reducing stress in young adults.The British journal of occupational therapyYoung adults described the beach VR session as relaxing, easy to use, and a distraction from stress. The paper recorded lower heart rate after the session, but no control group tested whether VR caused it.
• OTCohort2023Impacts of Daily Life and Job Satisfaction on Social Participation of Persons with Visual Impairment.Occupational therapy internationalFor employed people with visual impairment, higher job satisfaction and monthly income are linked to better social participation. Employment stability specifically predicted participation. Therapists in vocational roles should target income security and job retention, not just task performance, to help clients stay engaged in their communities.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Increasing physical activity levels in care homes for older people: a quantitative scoping review of intervention studies to guide future research.Disability and rehabilitationMost care home physical activity interventions targeted individual residents. Few addressed organisational or physical environment factors. This maps what has been tried, not evidence that any programme works.
• PTSurvey2023Physiotherapy students' knowledge and attitudes about their role in mental health.The South African journal of physiotherapyPhysiotherapy students at one South African university showed moderate mental-health knowledge and positive attitudes. Only 34 of 111 responded, and third- and fourth-year students did not differ clearly.
• SLPOther2023Sixty Years of Frequency-Domain Monaural Speech Enhancement: From Traditional to Deep Learning Methods.Trends in hearingSpeech noise-reduction methods using deep learning and hybrid approaches usually scored better than traditional methods for simulated normal-hearing listeners, but showed smaller and mixed benefits for simulated hearing-impaired listeners.
• PTProtocol2023Developing and implementing a model of care for athletes living with disabilities: A protocol.The South African journal of physiotherapyNo findings to report. This paper outlines a planned study to develop and implement a model of care for athletes with disabilities in South Africa. It describes the intended methods but contains no results or evidence to guide current practice.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Prediction of emergence from prolonged disorders of consciousness from measures within the UK rehabilitation outcomes collaborative database: a multicentre analysis using machine learning.Disability and rehabilitationRoutine rehab scores identified patients likely to stay unconscious better than patients likely to regain consciousness. Models predicted staying unconscious more reliably than regaining consciousness. When tested on unseen patients, accuracy fell, so these scores are not yet dependable prognosis.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Shank3 deletion in PV neurons is associated with abnormal behaviors and neuronal functions that are rescued by increasing GABAergic signaling.Molecular autismDeleting Shank3 in parvalbumin neurons caused repetitive grooming and memory issues in mice. Ganaxolone, which boosts GABA signaling, reversed these deficits. This suggests GABAergic modulation may help Shank3-related symptoms, but human trials are needed.
• PTPilot2023Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Properties of Children With Cerebral Palsy After Different Tone Treatments: A Pilot Study.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationChildren with cerebral palsy had different gastrocnemius biopsy features after botulinum toxin, selective dorsal rhizotomy, or minimal tone treatment. With one participant per group, the study cannot show what each treatment did to muscle.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Examining the latent structure and correlates of sensory reactivity in autism: a multi-site integrative data analysis by the autism sensory research consortium.Molecular autismCaregiver questionnaires often combine sensory behaviors across different senses into single scores. This study found that while overall hyperreactivity scores are valid, hyporeactivity and seeking scores are not. Clinicians should assess sensory issues by specific sense rather than relying on broad totals.
• PTOTSLPOther20232023 updates to the spina bifida transition to adult care guidelines.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineUpdated guidelines recommend starting transition planning at birth and formally at age 14. They urge using the TRAQ-SB tool to track self-management skills, ensuring bowel and bladder independence, and creating detailed hand-off packets for adult providers.
• OTSystematic Review2023Cognitive stimulation and activities of daily living for individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia: A scoping review.The British journal of occupational therapyCognitive stimulation did not consistently improve daily activities in mild-to-moderate dementia. Standard group programmes mostly showed no ADL benefit. Multi-component programmes that trained daily tasks looked more promising, but were intensive and often residential.
• PTOTSurvey2023Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors among weavers: A cross-sectional study.The South African journal of physiotherapyWeavers in Burkina Faso reported high rates of musculoskeletal pain, with lower back pain affecting nearly three-quarters. Pain was linked to long working hours, age, and years of experience. Ergonomic changes, such as splitting heavy loads and alternating sitting with movement, are needed to reduce these risks.
• SLPOther2023Personalized estimates of brain cortical structural variability in individuals with Autism spectrum disorder: the predictor of brain age and neurobiology relevance.Molecular autismChildren and adolescents with autism showed greater variability in brain structure than typical peers, and this variability decreased as they aged. Those whose brains appeared to mature faster than their actual age had more severe communication difficulties.
• Other2023Spina Bifida Global Learning Collaborative: Educating the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and advocates.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineThis paper describes the launch of a global learning collaborative for spina bifida education. It lists open-source training resources and profiles five existing programs in Ethiopia, Sweden, Argentina, and Ecuador. It reports no patient outcomes or evidence of treatment effectiveness.
• PTOTCohort2023Health and work-related factors as predictors of still being active in working life at age 66 and 72 in a Swedish population: A longitudinal study.Work (Reading, Mass.)Highly educated professionals and those with physically light jobs were more likely to still be working at 66. Men were more likely to work until 72 than women. Having fewer diagnosed diseases also predicted continued work at 66.
• PTRCT2023Neck-Shoulder Region Training for Chronic Headache in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Clinical rehabilitationNeck-shoulder exercise in women with chronic headache did not lower headache intensity more than placebo electrical stimulation. It did lower headache frequency. Use it when frequency, not pain intensity, is the goal.
• PTSystematic Review2023Psychological consequences of female genital mutilation: A mixed-method systematic review.The South African journal of physiotherapySevere female genital mutilation is linked to higher rates of PTSD, anxiety, and somatisation, but depression findings are inconsistent. Cultural context heavily shapes these outcomes, with some women reporting relief or belonging rather than distress. Clinical exams can trigger trauma memories.
• OTQualitative2023Art-Based Workshops for Women: An Opportunity for Reflection on Identity and Transformation following Cancer Treatment.Occupational therapy internationalWomen living with cancer described mixed-media art workshops as a way to express feelings they could not put into words. The shared creative process allowed them to reflect on their changing identities and transform their self-perception without the pressure of direct conversation.
• SLPOther2023Human Auditory Ecology: Extending Hearing Research to the Perception of Natural Soundscapes by Humans in Rapidly Changing Environments.Trends in hearingNo original study or outcome data are reported; this perspective paper proposes future hearing-research directions for natural soundscapes.
• PTCohort2023Motor function outcomes in children with open prenatal repair of Spina Bifida Aperta at 36-month follow-up: The Zurich cohort.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineAt 36 months, 86% of children after prenatal spina bifida repair were walking, but most needed orthotics or assistive devices. Walking was delayed, and children with lower motor function levels walked more often.
• SLPCohort2023Verb Frequency and Density Drive Naming Performance in Primary Progressive Aphasia.AphasiologyVerb naming accuracy in PPA is driven largely by word frequency and semantic density. Patients with semantic and logopenic variants struggled significantly more with low-density verbs than those with non-fluent variants, while concreteness and valency had less distinct impact.
• PTOTCohort2024The effect of depression on prosthesis prescription in men and women who have undergone a lower limb amputation.Disability and rehabilitationVeterans with depression were less likely to receive a prosthesis, especially women. Men with transtibial amputations and depression had over three times the odds of receiving a prescription compared to women with the same profile. This disparity suggests depression acts as a specific barrier to care for women veterans.
• OTCase Report2024Comparison of brain activation and functional outcomes between physical and virtual reality box and block test: a case study.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyIn one person with chronic stroke, no difference was found between a VR box-and-block test and the real test for blocks moved or brain activity. This is one case, not proof VR works.
• PTCohort2024Determinants of Frame Running Capacity in Athletes With Cerebral Palsy to Improve Training Routines and Classification Strategies: A Cross-sectional Observational Study.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationSpasticity in hip and knee extensors, along with thigh muscle thickness, were the strongest predictors of frame running distance in athletes with cerebral palsy. These physical traits explained 75% of the variance in performance, offering specific targets for training and classification.
• OTSLPQualitative2024Ethical issues raised by incorporating personalized language models into brain-computer interface communication technologies: a qualitative study of individuals with neurological disease.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyPeople with neurodegenerative diseases generally support storing personal vocabulary in brain-computer interface devices to maintain identity and relationships. They want control over privacy, the ability to switch communication styles for different partners, and family involvement in building the language model.
• PTOTQualitative2024Multilevel barriers to using assistive technology devices among older hispanics from poor and disadvantaged communities: the relevance of a gender analysis.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyOlder Hispanic adults in low-income Puerto Rico communities reported not knowing about assistive technology devices or where to get them. Women faced greater barriers due to cost, limited decision-making power in the household, and stigma about looking old or dependent.
• PTOTSurvey2024Association of mobile health (mHealth) use with health status and COVID-19-related concerns by people with mobility impairments.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyTwo thirds of adults with mobility impairments used smartphone health tools. Use was more common among those with higher education. Clinicians should not assume all patients can access or use app-based care.
• SLPSystematic Review2024A qualitative evidence synthesis of the experiences and perspectives of communicating using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyPeople who use AAC devices value them for more than just sending messages. They see the tools as key to maintaining their identity and independence. However, frustration arises when synthetic voices lack personality, privacy is limited, or devices fail in noisy environments.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Technology for activity participation in older people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia: expert perspectives and a scoping review.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyDigital health tools for older adults with dementia mostly support daily tasks and social connection, but rarely address leisure, sleep, or work. Experts warn that poor design and lack of tailored training limit uptake, especially for those with less tech experience.
• PTSurvey2023Soothe the savage beast: Patient perceptions of the benefits of music therapy in an inpatient rehabilitation facility.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationPatients in inpatient rehab were mostly neutral about music therapy, not resistant. Favorable and neutral responses covered 79.8% of the sample. Younger and more educated patients were more receptive, and better knowledge was related to more positive attitudes.
• PTCohort2023Changes in Mild Neurocognitive Disorder Status in Mobility Limited Older Primary Care Patients: Implications for Rehabilitative Care.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationOver 2 years, 27% of 349 mobility-limited older patients had fluctuating cognitive status. Better gait speed and fewer depressive symptoms were linked to being less likely to be in a mild neurocognitive disorder group, but physical activity was not.
• PTOTSLPPilot2023Feasibility of performing a multi-arm clinical trial examining the novel combination of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and aerobic exercise for post-stroke depression.Topics in stroke rehabilitationCombining brain stimulation and treadmill walking is feasible for post-stroke depression, with high adherence and mild side effects. Preliminary data suggest both interventions reduce symptoms, but the study is too small to prove which treatment works or if the combination is superior to either alone.
• PTPilot2023Factors influencing neuromuscular responses to gait training with a robotic ankle exoskeleton in cerebral palsy.Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNAIn eight children with cerebral palsy, walking kinematics influenced soleus muscle response to a robotic ankle exoskeleton more than device resistance or practice. A more extended leg posture during stance increased muscle activation. This pilot suggests monitoring for compensatory crouch gait is critical.
• Cohort2023Burden, anxiety and depressive symptoms in partners - course and predictors during the first two years after stroke.Topics in stroke rehabilitationBurden and depressive symptoms showed no clear change over two years, while anxiety dipped at six months and rose again by two years. Partner distress, younger or older age, higher education and less proactive coping were linked to these outcomes.
• PTOTOther2023Effects of wheels and tires on high-strength lightweight wheelchair propulsion cost using a robotic wheelchair tester.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologySwapping the default solid tires and casters on a lightweight wheelchair for specific upgraded components reduced propulsion cost by up to 41% on tile and 18% on carpet. This mechanical testing shows better wheels and tires significantly lower the effort needed to move.
• PTOTOther2023The global state of play: A study of the demographic characteristics of disability golfers.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMost registered golfers with disability were men over 45, came from high-income countries, and 62.6% needed a golf cart. Golfers with neurologic, spinal cord, or visual impairments had worse golf handicaps.
• PTOTQualitative2023Developing a community-engaged wheelchair exercise program for persons with MS: community advisory board formation and feedback.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyWheelchair users with MS advised that exercise programs must offer flexible aerobic bouts, alternative resistance options like wrist weights, and clear guidance on handling setbacks. They emphasized independence in equipment setup and requested coaching by clinicians or peers to support adherence.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Utilization and Cost of Outpatient Rehabilitation Services for Pediatric Patients Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using a Commercial Claims Database.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationOutpatient PT and OT use in pediatric ALL rose to 54% by 2013-2017, and first visits came earlier, but SLP use stayed low. Access was uneven, with patients outside the Midwest less likely to receive rehab.
• PTOther2023Predictors of non-stepping time in people with chronic stroke.Topics in stroke rehabilitationIn 280 adults with chronic stroke, lower walking endurance, assistive device use, more depressive symptoms and higher BMI were linked to more non-stepping time. Programs to break up non-stepping time may need to address these factors, not just cognition or balance confidence.
• OTCohort2023The Impact of Work Incentives Benefits Counseling on Employment Outcomes: A National Vocational Rehabilitation Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitationClients with disabilities receiving Social Security benefits who got work-incentives counseling were more likely to have competitive employment (34.3% vs 29.4%), but among those employed they earned less per hour and worked fewer weekly hours.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Using Billing Codes to Create a Pediatric Functional Status e-Score for Children Receiving Inpatient Rehabilitation.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost of the top billing codes ranked by their relationship to discharge WeeFIM mobility, self-care, and cognition/communication scores were also chosen by expert clinicians. This is a first-step score model, not a validated clinical tool.
• PTOTOther2023Engaging in a home-based exercise program: a mixed-methods approach to identify motivators and barriers for individuals with stroke.Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNAStroke survivors engaged with a home exercise app but rarely met the recommended dose. They were motivated by activities that felt useful and by seeing their own progress. Caregiver availability and daily schedules were the main barriers. Tailoring the program to the person and their support network is essential.
• PTOTCohort2023Enhanced Street Crossing Features are Associated with Higher Post-Stroke Physical Quality of Life.Topics in stroke rehabilitationLiving near street crossings with better features (like curb cuts) was associated with higher physical quality of life after stroke. Sidewalk quality and nearby destinations showed no such link. This suggests accessible crossings are a specific environmental target for post-stroke recovery.
• PTOTOther2023Corpus Callosal Microstructure Predicts Bimanual Motor Performance in Chronic Stroke Survivors: a Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study.Topics in stroke rehabilitationIn chronic stroke survivors, poorer corpus callosum fiber organization was linked to slower bimanual task performance among those who used both hands, not among those who used one hand.
• OTSurvey2023Economic evaluation of upper limb prostheses in the Netherlands including the cost-effectiveness of multi-grip versus standard myoelectric hand prostheses.Disability and rehabilitationMulti-grip myoelectric hands cost much more than mono-grip hands, but users did not report better health-related quality of life or user experience. The extra cost was not matched by better outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022A Network Analysis of the PART-O at 1 and 2 Years After TBI: A Veterans Affairs Model Systems Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationSocial relationships and internet use were the most central parts of participation for veterans with TBI. Seeing friends and providing emotional support became more strongly linked over time, suggesting these social interactions deepened during recovery.
• PTOTCohort2024Diagnostic profiles associated with long-term opioid therapy in active duty servicemembers.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationActive duty servicemembers with complex combinations of pain and mental health conditions were far more likely to receive long-term opioid therapy than those with single issues. The 'Multisystem Multimorbid' profile had over nine times the odds of long-term use compared to the 'Relatively Healthy' group.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024A systematic review and cross-sectional survey of rehabilitation resources for injury patients in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania.Disability and rehabilitationEight rehabilitation organizations were identified in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region. Most require out-of-pocket payment, which limits access for patients without insurance. Awareness of these services is low among both patients and referring doctors.