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 532 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTSLPOther2024Factor structure of the VABS-3 Comprehensive Parent/Caregiver form in autistic individuals: Poor fit of three-factor and unidimensional models.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceThe VABS-3 parent questionnaire did not support its usual three adaptive behavior areas or a single overall score in autistic people. The scores may not separate communication, daily living, and socialization as intended.
• PTOther2024Reliability and minimal detectable change of stiffness and other mechanical properties of the ankle joint in standing and walking.Gait & postureAnkle stiffness and viscosity measured via perturbation show good-to-excellent reliability in healthy adults during both standing and walking. Standing measurements had lower error margins, making them quicker and more stable, while walking offers functional insight but requires strict foot placement.
• Other2024Online prediction of sustained muscle force from individual motor unit activities using adaptive surface EMG decomposition.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAn algorithm using high-density EMG to predict thumb force in real time was tested on eight healthy young adults. It tracked motor unit firing patterns to estimate force more accurately than standard amplitude-based methods, maintaining precision during sustained contractions.
• PTOther2024Agreement Between the Gross Motor Ability Estimator-2 and the Gross Motor Ability Estimator-3 in Young Children With Cerebral Palsy.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationScores from the new smartphone app and the old desktop software matched closely in young children with cerebral palsy. Therapists can compare results across both systems without recalculating old scores, even for children with very low motor ability.
• PTSurvey2024Causation in cerebral palsy: Parental beliefs and associated emotions.Developmental medicine and child neurologyParents who thought lack of oxygen, brain damage or medical intervention during birth caused their child's CP were more likely to report anger and confusion. 92% said it was important to understand the cause.
• SLPSurvey2024Understanding Dysphagia Care in Pakistan: A Survey of Current Speech Language Therapy Practice.DysphagiaIn Pakistan, most speech therapists assess dysphagia using informal clinical exams rather than instrumental tests. They frequently modify food and fluid consistencies, often without clear evidence, and report significant barriers like limited resources and low awareness among physicians and families.
• OTSurvey2024Examining a model of anxiety in autistic adults.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceThe proposed anxiety model was not supported across both groups together. In autistic adults, an adjusted model linked uncertainty, emotion regulation and sensory differences to anxiety. In non-autistic adults, uncertainty and difficulty identifying emotions linked to anxiety, but emotion regulation did not.
• SLPOther2024Acoustic Analysis of Swallowing of an Experimental Meal of Three Food Textures: A Comparative Aging Study.DysphagiaNumber of swallows and average swallow duration did not differ between adults 50 to 70 and over 70. Over a three-texture meal, older adults had longer gaps between swallows, longer meal time, and fewer swallows per minute.
• OTOther2024Re-examining the association between the age of learning one is autistic and adult outcomes.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceLearning you are autistic at a younger age does not predict better quality of life or well-being in adulthood. Once other factors are considered, the age of diagnosis or learning is irrelevant. Autistic traits and co-occurring mental health conditions are the strong predictors.
• OTSLPOther2024Parent perspectives on treatment: A mixed methods analysis of PEERS® for Preschoolers.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents of autistic preschoolers who completed PEERS® for Preschoolers reported changed parenting and described their children's peer interactions as improved. Preparing children and environments before social opportunities was the strategy most linked to better long-term parent and child outcomes.
• SLPOther2024Feasibility of an observational procedure to enhance early identification of autism spectrum disorder in paediatric settings: A mixed-methods study on an Ecuadorian sample.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceFour observation tasks: eye contact, response to name, joint attention and pointing were usable by Ecuadorian paediatric staff after brief training. Social referencing failed. This is feasibility, not evidence it improves autism identification.
• Case Series2024Brain-machine interface based on deep learning to control asynchronously a lower-limb robotic exoskeleton: a case-of-study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn five healthy young adults, a deep learning brain-computer interface allowed them to control a lower-limb exoskeleton's walking and stopping via motor imagery. The system worked, but success rates varied greatly between participants and the study did not test people with disabilities.
• PTOTCohort2024Identifying changes in dynamic plantar pressure associated with radiological knee osteoarthritis based on machine learning and wearable devices.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWearable insoles and machine learning correctly distinguished between people with radiological knee osteoarthritis and those without in 82.61% of cases. The key differences were lower peak pressures in the big toe and heel, and greater variability in foot balance during walking.
• SLPQualitative2024The world is nuanced but pixelated: Autistic individuals' perspective on HIPPEA.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults described a predictive coding theory as partially fitting their experience but too deficit-focused. They reported difficulty generalising new situations, requiring conscious effort. Strong emotions shaped expectations, and masking was used to cope with social demands, despite personal cost.
• PTSurvey2023The mediating role of social support in promoting physical activity among children in South Africa.The South African journal of physiotherapyChildren who enjoy physical activity participate more, but this link depends heavily on encouragement from family and teachers. Family support had the strongest effect, followed by teacher support. Peer encouragement alone did not significantly drive participation when family and teacher support were present.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Is There an Association Between Injury History and Lower Extremity Joint Injury During Canada Games Competition?International journal of sports physical therapyAthletes with a history of neck or back injuries were six times more likely to sustain ankle or knee injuries during competition. A history of joint or bone trauma was associated with patellofemoral injuries, and ligament or tendon issues linked to hip injuries.
• PTOther2023Validation of a Portable Wireless Force Platform System To Measure Ground Reaction Forces During Various Tasks.International journal of sports physical therapyPortable wireless force plates showed high agreement with laboratory gold standards for measuring vertical force during standing and jumping in three participants. Deviations from known weights were under 0.1 kg. Results suggest these devices are valid alternatives for clinical and sports use.
• SLPCohort2023Self-reported hearing difficulties and speech-in-noise test performance - what can we find behind a "normal" audiogram?CoDASAdults with normal hearing tests reported more difficulty understanding speech in noise as they aged, from 30 onwards. Self-reported trouble tracking speech in background noise correlated with poorer performance on actual speech-in-noise tests, suggesting complaints may reflect real processing changes.
• PTSystematic Review2023What do people believe to be the cause of low back pain? A scoping review.Brazilian journal of physical therapyCurrent research cannot quantify how specific beliefs about the cause of low back pain affect patient outcomes. Studies use inconsistent measures, making it impossible to separate causal beliefs from other factors or determine their true clinical impact.
• PTProtocol2023Inspiratory versus expiratory incentive spirometry: A randomised control trial study protocol.The South African journal of physiotherapyThis paper describes the plan for a trial comparing two breathing exercises, but no patients have been treated and no results are reported. It cannot change your practice because it does not yet tell us whether inspiratory or expiratory incentive spirometry works better.
• SLPOther2023Performance of preschool and schoolchildren on the ProNOH protocol: macrostructure aspects.CoDASThe ProNOH protocol successfully distinguished storytelling ability between age groups in 97 typically developing Brazilian children. Scores rose significantly with age, particularly between five and six years, and correlated strongly with story coherence. These data provide reference values for assessing narrative macrostructure.
• SLPOther2023Reliability of a script agreement test for undergraduate speech-language therapy students.CoDASExperts rated clinical scripts with low overall consistency, meaning answers varied significantly between therapists. While agreement was acceptable for some diagnostic tasks, it was poor for study scripts in Audiology and Vestibular areas. This test may not yet reliably measure clinical reasoning in students.
• PTOTOther2024A portable system to measure knee extensor spasticity after spinal cord injury.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTwo wireless sensors on the thigh and shin measured knee spasticity as accurately as lab cameras in people with spinal cord injury. The portable system matched clinical scores and held steady across days, offering a cheaper, simpler way to track changes over time.
• Other2024Italian translation and cultural adaptation of the Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS-I) in patients with acquired brain injuries.Journal of rehabilitation medicineExperts rated the Italian Agitated Behavior Scale as clear and easy to understand. However, the tool's accuracy in measuring agitation was not tested, so it cannot yet be used to diagnose or monitor patients.
• PTOTRCT2024Can cerebellar theta-burst stimulation improve balance function and gait in stroke patients? A randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAdding cerebellar theta-burst stimulation to physical therapy improved balance, walking speed, and daily living independence more than physical therapy alone in stroke patients. Both groups improved, but the stimulation group showed greater gains in key walking metrics like stride length and velocity.
• PTOther2024Establishing the Reliability of The Step Test Evaluation of Performance on Stairs (STEPS) in Multiple Sclerosis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn adults with relapse-remitting MS, a 5-minute stair test scored consistently by therapists and tracked with walking tests and processing speed. Higher scores related to more active minutes later, but the small sample limits certainty.
• Narrative Review2024NSF DARE-Transforming modeling in neurorehabilitation: Four threads for catalyzing progress.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThis paper reports no clinical findings. It is a summary of expert discussions from a conference on computational modeling in neurorehabilitation. It outlines theoretical challenges and future directions for researchers, not evidence for patient care.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2024Motor problems in autism: Co-occurrence or feature?Developmental medicine and child neurologyMotor problems affect most autistic individuals but are documented in only 1% clinically. Screening tools like the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire can identify these issues early, prompting assessment and intervention before age 5.
• SLPQualitative2024Supporting tamariki takiwātanga Māori (autistic Māori children): Exploring the experience of early childhood educators.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceTwelve early childhood educators prioritised wellbeing, relationships, and cultural identity for autistic Māori children, adapting teaching to each child. They wanted autism training that reflects Māori world views, because many felt unprepared to support cultural development.
• SLPOther2024Predicting Language Function Post-Stroke: A Model-Based Structural Connectivity Approach.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairAfter stroke, models using routine brain scans, non-verbal cognition, initial language score and language-network connectivity predicted naming and comprehension; stimulation type did not predict language outcomes.
• PTOTRCT2024Unsupervised robot-assisted rehabilitation after stroke: feasibility, effect on therapy dose, and user experience.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTwelve of thirteen subacute stroke inpatients used a hand robot unsupervised without safety issues. They averaged 77% attendance and added about 6 hours of therapy over two weeks. Usability scores did not drop when the therapist left the room.
• OTOther2024Uncovering employment outcomes for autistic university graduates in the United Kingdom: An analysis of population data.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic UK graduates were half as likely to be in full-time work as non-disabled peers and earned less. They were over-represented in Creative Arts and Computer Science, but under-represented in STEM jobs, challenging the assumption that autism naturally aligns with technical careers.
• SLPNarrative Review2024Newborn Hearing Screening in Québec, Canada.American journal of audiologyThere is no patient outcome to act on in this review of Québec's newborn hearing screening program.
• PTOTCohort2024Visual-Motor Integration Deficits in 3q29 Deletion Syndrome.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIndividuals with 3q29 deletion syndrome showed severe visual-motor integration deficits, averaging 69.3 on a scale where 100 is typical. Motor coordination was the most impaired area. These difficulties were independent of intellectual disability, ADHD, anxiety, or executive function.
• OTOther2024Characterizing Attention Resource Capacity in Autism: A Multiple Object Tracking Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersOn a standard attention test, autistic and neurotypical participants did not differ. Tracking speed was lower in autistic participants, but that difference disappeared after fluid reasoning IQ was included.
• PTOther2024Towards efficient motor imagery interventions after lower-limb amputation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMotor imagery added to physical therapy after lower-limb amputation was linked to faster early 10 m walking and a shorter later rehabilitation interval. Timed Up and Go over time and phantom pain did not clearly change.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Assessments and interventions on body functions, structures and activity to prepare adults with acute spinal cord injury or disease for participation: a scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesEarly therapy after spinal cord injury is safe and assessments like SCIM III and ISNCSCI are usable in the acute phase. However, evidence for specific interventions to improve muscle or hand function is weak, with trials showing no significant benefit over control groups.
• SLPCohort2024Post-acute day and night non-invasive respiratory intervention use and outcome: A brief report.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineIn 38 children on non-invasive breathing support, most needed the same level during post-acute care. Daytime support was generally less intensive than nighttime; 7 reduced daytime support and 9 reduced nighttime support.
• OTOther2024Disability Inclusion in Corporate Supplier Diversity Initiatives.Journal of occupational rehabilitationDisability inclusion in corporate supplier diversity programs has grown significantly. Among the top 100 companies, 89% now include disability, compared to 15% in 2005. However, spending on disability-owned businesses remains under 1% of diverse supplier budgets.
• SLPCase Report2023Clinical Case Study: Pediatric Bilateral Benign Vocal Fold Lesions.Perspectives of the ASHA special interest groupsA 4-year-old boy with benign vocal fold lesions completed six voice therapy sessions over 12 weeks. Follow-up imaging showed smaller lesions and better vocal fold closure, while voice quality scores improved from moderate to mild dysphonia.
• SLPOther2023Voice and Communication Training Program Improves Performance of University Students in Oral Presentations.CoDASAfter an eight-week training covering voice, body language, social skills, neuro-linguistic programming, and language, 38 students improved by examiner and self ratings. Single group, so components cannot be separated.
• SLPSystematic Review2023Cochlear synaptopathy and hidden hearing loss: a scoping review.CoDASMost research on hidden hearing loss uses the term cochlear synaptopathy to describe a specific physical damage to nerve connections. Hidden hearing loss is a broader label for any difficulty understanding speech with normal test results. Clinicians should avoid using the two terms interchangeably.
• SLPOther2023Original Research Clinical attendance rate at a tertiary adult audiological service in South Africa.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir Kommunikasieafwykings84% of first-time adult audiology consultations were attended, but only 47.62% returned for follow-up. Understanding the appointment reason, positive staff attitudes and reminders were reported attendance reasons. Multiple appointments, work commitments, forgetting, transport and hearing-loss sequelae were reported non-attendance reasons.
• PTOther2023Evaluating Functional Performance Tests in those with Non-arthritic Intra-articular Hip Pain: An International Consensus Statement.International journal of sports physical therapyExpert consensus recommends functional performance tests for non-arthritic hip pain at initial evaluation, re-evaluation, discharge, and return-to-sport testing. Tests should be graded from low to sport-specific, chosen by patient goals, irritability, and impairments. This is expert opinion, not evidence tests work.
• PTRCT2023Comparison of Intervention Programs to Improve Trunk Stability for Active Females.International journal of sports physical therapyNeither a novel multi-planar exercise program nor a standard Pilates program was superior for improving trunk stability in active females. Both groups achieved similar pass rates on the trunk stability push-up, with about 41% of participants passing at the end of the eight-week intervention.
• SLPCase Report2023Videofeedback-guided teleintervention for the family of a child with a cochlear implant: a case study.CoDASIn one case, 10 sessions of video feedback teleintervention helped a mother improve her communication with her child. The child showed reliable improvement in vocabulary, but did not reach typical levels. This change happened alongside ongoing speech therapy, so the video feedback's specific effect cannot be isolated.
• SLPOther2023Self-perception of the Immediate Impact on the Voice of Gospel Singers after a one-hour Presentation.CoDASGospel singers with existing vocal complaints reported significantly higher fatigue and difficulty singing after one-hour performances. Even those without complaints showed signs of vocal strain, suggesting all amateur singers may benefit from post-performance vocal care guidance.
• SLPOther2024The Language-Specificity of Phonetic Adaptation to Talkers.Language and speechBilingual listeners' ability to adjust to a talker's unusual pronunciation differed by language: English speakers learning Mandarin adjusted in both English and Mandarin, Mandarin speakers adjusted in Mandarin but not reliably in English.
• PTOTOther2024Does an alternative breast support garment provide symptomatic relief for larger breasted women with chronic non-specific back pain?Prosthetics and orthotics internationalAn alternative breast support garment significantly reduced pain prevalence and stiffness in larger-breasted women with back pain, outperforming a standard professionally fitted bra. While both improved fit, the alternative design provided greater symptomatic relief and functional improvement after four weeks of wear.
• PTSLPPilot2024A Pluridisciplinary Tracheostomy Weaning Protocol for Brain-Injured Patients, Outside of the Intensive Care Unit and Without Instrumental Assessment: Results of Pilot Study.DysphagiaIn 30 tracheostomized brain-injured patients, a ward-based clinical weaning protocol removed the tube in 26, and all removals were successful. This pilot suggests non-ICU decannulation may be feasible, but it needs a controlled trial.