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 547 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• SLPOther2024Prevalence of bias against neurodivergence-related terms in artificial intelligence language models.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchCommon AI language models linked autism and neurodivergence terms with negative words such as slurs, violence, or uptight. Sentences about severe autism were rated especially negatively. This is about AI text tools, not evidence about therapy.
• OTQualitative2024Teaching and Evaluating an Occupational Perspective in Canada: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieCanadian OT educators describe teaching an occupational perspective as a fluid, lifelong process shaped by students, families, and practice realities. They struggle to grade this evolving lens, suggesting traditional assessments fail to capture how students internalize occupation.
• PTOther2024Dual-task improvement of older adults after treadmill walking combined with blood flow restriction of low occlusion pressure: the effect on the heart-brain axis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAfter one 20-minute treadmill walk with low-pressure leg cuffs, older adults tapped light targets faster and swayed less while standing on foam than after walking without cuffs.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Phenotyping Down syndrome: discovery and predictive modelling with electronic medical records.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRElectronic records show people with Down syndrome have high rates of speech disorders, coordination issues and hypothyroidism. A model accurately predicted heart surgery needs based on pre-existing heart and breathing conditions, though diagnostic codes can be inaccurate.
• PTOTCase-Control2024Inter-joint coordination with and without dopaminergic medication in Parkinson's disease: a case-control study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationPeople with Parkinson's disease showed reduced knee movement and delayed hip flexion during walking, particularly at preferred speeds. Dopaminergic medication improved hip kinematics only at preferred speed and did not resolve these coordination deficits. Walking faster than usual may improve gait regularity.
• PTOther2024Muscle Activity and Kinematics During Three Hamstring Strengthening Exercises Compared to Sprinting: A Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of sports physical therapyThe rocker exercise produced higher hamstring muscle activity than the Nordic hamstring exercise or sprinting. However, none of the tested exercises stretched the hamstring as much as sprinting does, which is the position where injuries typically occur.
• SLPSystematic Review2024Relationship between prematurity and difficulties in the transition of food consistency in childhood: a systematic review.CoDASMost included studies found no clear link between prematurity and trouble moving through food textures. Some studies reported early complementary feeding, lower gestational age links to feeding difficulty, and oral motor signs such as gagging or refusal.
• PTOther2024Reliability and Validity of Visual Estimation in Determining Thorax Rotation Mobility using the Quadruped Lumbar-Locked Position.International journal of sports physical therapyWatching a healthy adult rotate the thorax in the quadruped lumbar-locked position agreed moderately well with a phone measurement, including when a student rated it. It may help PTs screen quickly, but it was not tested in people with pain or injury.
• PTOTOther2024Intelligent ankle-foot prosthesis based on human structure and motion bionics.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA new bionic ankle-foot prosthesis prototype mimics human rolling-sliding joint motion and stores/releases energy efficiently. Lab tests showed it matches human toe trajectories and recovers 88.96% of stored energy, but it has not yet been tested on amputees.
• SLPOther2024Easy as 1-2-3: Development and Evaluation of a Simple yet Valid Audiogram-Classification System.Trends in hearingThe LC dyad system, which uses separate averages for low and high frequencies, explains more variance in speech recognition and self-reported hearing difficulty than the standard WHO single-grade system. It better captures audiogram configuration, which is critical for identifying noise-induced hearing loss.
• PTCase Series2024Factors leading to falls in transfemoral prosthesis users: a case series of prosthesis-side stumble recovery responses.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSix transfemoral prosthesis users had harness-defined falls in 13 of 24 prosthesis-side stumble trials, including 7 of 11 early swing trials. Knee buckling and poor base adjustment were common. This is one small case series, not proof.
• PTOther2024Relations Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cognition in Older Adults With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment From the Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training (ACT) Trial: Sex Differences.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationHigher aerobic fitness was linked to better memory and executive function in older adults with amnestic MCI, especially men. It was not linked to global cognition or to women's executive function or memory. This is association, not proof exercise improves cognition.
• PTCohort2024Preparation For Flight: The Physical Profile of Pre-Professional and Professional Circus Artists in the United States.International journal of sports physical therapyProfessional circus artists showed better strength and cardiovascular fitness than pre-professionals. Teens had greater shoulder flexibility but more trapezius weakness than adults. These norms help PTs screen readiness and target conditioning for shoulder stability in younger and less experienced performers.
• SLPOther2024Swallowing performance of elderly people and sociodemographic, cognitive and language factors.CoDASNo statistical link was found between swallowing complaints and cognitive or language scores in 32 older adults. However, all four participants with high self-reported swallowing risk also had lower scores on cognitive and language screenings.
• Other2024Naturally occurring low sociality in female rhesus monkeys: A tractable model for autism or not?Molecular autismIn female rhesus monkeys, being observed alone often did not match monkey autism-like scores. Rank did: higher-ranking females had lower scores. This weakens the low-sociality model used in males.
• SLPOther2024Validity based on the response processes of the MMBGR Protocol Infants and Preschoolers: Instructional and Orofacial Myofuncional Clinical History.CoDASTen speech therapists found this infant history protocol easy to use and willing to adopt it in practice. Half took longer than the estimated 45 minutes. Most agreed the instruction manual was useful, though some found it unnecessary before reading.
• Other2024Participation as a means-implications for intervention reasoning.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThis paper argues that involving children in the intervention process itself helps them develop skills for long-term participation, but it presents no new evidence or trial results to confirm this works.
• PTNarrative Review2024Associations Between Hip Pathology, Hip and Groin Pain, and Injuries in Hockey Athletes: A Clinical Commentary.International journal of sports physical therapyHip and groin pain in hockey athletes is linked to a cycle of structural changes, not just one injury. Cam morphology may lead to labral tears, which cause ligament lengthening and hip instability. This triggers muscle guarding, reduced range of motion, and compensatory movements that increase the risk of core muscle and adductor injuries.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Mapping Effectiveness Studies of Occupational Therapy in Africa: A Scoping Review.Occupational therapy internationalEffectiveness studies of occupational therapy in Africa are emerging, mostly from South Africa. Most reported positive outcomes, particularly in physical rehabilitation and hand therapy. Paediatric evidence was less consistent. Systematic reviews are now feasible to determine actual strength of evidence.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Effectiveness of Robotics in Stroke Rehabilitation to Accelerate Upper Extremity Function: Systematic Review.Occupational therapy internationalRobot-assisted therapy did not significantly speed up overall upper limb recovery compared to conventional therapy alone. However, gains were faster in the first 25 hours, suggesting robots may help early in rehabilitation before progress plateaus.
• OTQualitative2023"Being Holistic Is a Lot to Ask": A Qualitative, Cross-National Exploration of Occupational Therapists' Perceptions and Experiences of Holistic Practice.Occupational therapy internationalOccupational therapists across 13 countries struggle to define and deliver "holistic" care, citing time pressures, resource limits, and conflicting expectations. They view holism as central to their identity but find it often unrealistic in practice, particularly in hospital settings with high caseloads.
• OTQualitative2023The Lived Experience of Persons with Spinal Cord Injuries Engaging in Remote Work: A South African Perspective.Occupational therapy internationalFour people with spinal cord injuries in remote jobs described remote work as allowing schedule changes, better bladder and bowel management, and less commuting. They also reported social isolation, less mobility, and dependence on employer support.
• SLPOther2024Evidence-b(i)ased practice: Selective and inadequate reporting in early childhood autism intervention research.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceCompleted early autism intervention trials were often unpublished or unreported: only 6 of 84 posted results. 95 of 385 eligible reports could not be included in meta-analysis. Only 10 of 56 registered studies were free of selective reporting signs.
• PTRCT2024Submaximal, Low-Dose Eccentric vs Traditional Cycling Exercise: Reduced Oxygen Uptake and Pulmonary Artery Pressure Assessed by Echocardiography in Healthy Middle-aged Adults. A Randomized Controlled, Crossover Trial.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationEccentric cycling lowered oxygen uptake by 40% and pulmonary artery pressure by 26% compared to traditional cycling in healthy adults. Participants felt less breathless but reported similar leg fatigue, suggesting a lower cardiopulmonary load at the same external work.
• PTCase Report2024Triceps Tendon Avulsion in a Soldier: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyIn one soldier with intact elbow extension strength, ultrasound showed a high-grade partial triceps tendon tear. This led to MRI and repair within three weeks. He returned to full duty at eleven months.
• PTOTSurvey2024An International and Multidisciplinary Consensus on the Labeling of Spatial Neglect Using a Modified Delphi Method.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationExperts reached consensus on 'spatial neglect' as the preferred label, because 'unilateral' implies one-sided deficits while impairment follows a gradient. Use it when communicating the diagnosis.
• SLPCohort2024Vowel distinctiveness as a concurrent predictor of expressive language function in autistic children.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn 27 autistic children, how distinct their vowel sounds were predicted expressive language skills, but only for those with limited speech. For children with stronger language, understanding of speech was the better predictor. This acoustic measure helps identify which children may struggle to develop spoken words.
• PTOTOther2024Precision Rehabilitation After Neurostimulation Implantation for Multifidus Dysfunction in Nociceptive Mechanical Chronic Low Back Pain.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationExpert rehabilitation guidance after multifidus neurostimulation for chronic mechanical low back pain protects the implant, often starts formal rehab around six weeks, and restricts manual therapy, ultrasound, diathermy, and dry needling near leads. These are expert recommendations, not a tested protocol.
• SLPOther2024Test for clinical reasoning evaluation in Speech-Language Pathology: content validity.CoDASThe FonoTCS test for speech-language pathology clinical reasoning passed content validation for clarity, relevance, and ethics. Two audiology cases were restructured to reduce complexity. The instrument is now ready for internal structure validation.
• Other2024Impaired synaptic function and hyperexcitability of the pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex of autism-associated Shank3 mutant dogs.Molecular autismDogs with an autism-associated Shank3 mutation had prefrontal neurons that fired more readily. Glutamate synapses were weaker at low stimulation, and dendritic spines were fewer. This is basic animal brain work, not therapy evidence.
• PTOther2024Interpersonal Coordination between Female Soccer Players: Leader-Follower Roles within a Collision-Avoidance Task.International journal of sports physical therapyPreviously injured female soccer players were more likely to follow their teammates during a collision-avoidance task. After an unexpected signal, these injured followers struggled to regain strong movement coordination, while uninjured followers recovered quickly. This suggests injury history may impair reactive coordination.
• SLPOther2024Translation and cross cultural adaptation of the questionnaire "Quality of Alimentation" for brazilian portuguese.CoDASAll 11 items of the Brazilian Portuguese 'Quality of Alimentation' questionnaire were rated clear and easy to understand by 40 bariatric surgery patients. The adapted version is not yet validated.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2024Are Middle- or Older-Aged Adults With a Spinal Cord Injury Engaging in Leisure-Time Physical Activity? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationLeisure activity in adults over 45 with spinal cord injury varies wildly. While the average moderate-to-heavy activity was 173 minutes per week, between 27% and 64% of participants reported doing none at all. This gap means you cannot assume your patients are active enough to protect their heart health.
• SLPCohort2024Risk of Autoimmune Disease in Research-Identified Cases of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Longitudinal, Population-Based Birth Cohort Study.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPChildren with autism were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with an autoimmune disease by age 30 than their peers. This means clinicians should watch for signs of conditions like diabetes or alopecia in patients with autism.
• SLPCohort2024Safety and Early Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation of Nucleus Devices in Infants: A Multi-Centre Study.Trends in hearingIn infants implanted at 9 to 11 months, aided hearing thresholds improved after surgery, and parent-reported hearing scores rose. Adverse events occurred in 41 of 134 children, and major and minor events were considered transitory and resolved.
• PTOTPilot2024Adapting the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite for Telehealth Administration Using Videoconference Delivery: Methodological Considerations and Interrater Reliability.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationTwo raters agreed on scores from the tele-MSFC, participants accepted it, and no adverse events occurred in 61 adults with MS. It is not ready as a trial endpoint.
• PTCohort2024Are Functional Performance Test Scores Better When Compared to Baseline or Contralateral Limb Scores Following LE Injury in Adolescent Athletes?International journal of sports physical therapyFor high school athletes returning from lower limb injury, baseline testing helps detect agility and balance deficits, while comparing limbs helps detect power deficits. No single reference standard works for every test, so choose your comparison based on which test you use.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2024Health and Education Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPChildren with autism experienced significantly more disruptions to therapy and school than peers with other disabilities. They faced greater barriers with telehealth and masking. Clinicians should anticipate that these families may have missed critical interventions and need tailored support to restart care.
• SLPCohort2024Characterization of parameters for the analysis of objective measures of non-nutritive sucking of newborns.CoDASA computerized method for measuring newborn non-nutritive sucking matched manual analysis almost perfectly. The second of three two-minute recordings showed the most stable performance, suggesting the first should be used as a practice run before clinical assessment.
• PTOther2024The psychometric properties of the modified fear of falling avoidance behavior questionnaire in Parkinson's disease and older adults.Archives of physiotherapyThe modified fear-of-falling avoidance questionnaire produced consistent scores when repeated about a week apart and related to balance, mood, and step counts. It may help therapists screen avoidance behavior, not prove it predicts future falls.
• PTNarrative Review2024Management of High Ankle Sprains Utilizing the Tightrope Surgical Procedure - A Novel Approach for a Rapid Return to Play.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper proposes an accelerated rehabilitation protocol for athletes after TightRope surgery for high ankle sprains, progressing from partial weight-bearing on day 4 to return-to-sport testing by week 6. It is a theoretical framework, not evidence that this timeline works.
• SLPOther2024Response to intervention as an identification strategy of the risk for dyslexia.CoDASAfter 12 weekly reading and writing sessions, 30 children with school difficulties showed higher reading, writing, and phonological scores. The 12 who showed the least change were classified as at risk for dyslexia.
• OTPilot2024The impact of measurement on clinical trials: Comparison of preliminary outcomes of a brief mobile intervention for autistic adults using multiple measurement approaches.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic adults' anxiety and depression scores fell slightly after the plan and monitoring, but other scales did not change, weekly anxiety improved then worsened, and momentary use was linked to slower increases in sadness and agitation.
• PTRCT2024Combined Hip and Knee Strengthening Compared With Knee Strengthening for Individuals With Lateral Patellar Dislocation: A Single-blind, Superiority, Randomized Controlled Trial.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAdding hip exercises to knee strengthening did not improve knee function or pain more than knee strengthening alone at the end of treatment. Both groups improved similarly, so you can choose either approach based on patient preference or concurrent hip issues.
• OTOther2023Sensory modulation interventions for adults with mental illness: A scoping review.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTMost studies included in this review were pilot, qualitative, mixed-method or single-case reports. They described reduced distress, anxiety or agitation, but did not prove the interventions work.
• PTOTNarrative Review2023The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's occupations.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTPandemic restrictions disrupted children's occupations: outdoor and structured play fell, screen time rose, sleep became irregular, and remote schooling reduced learning and peer contact. These are patterns, not tested interventions.
• OTCohort2023Consistency between two subjective assessments of activities of daily living: Patient- and occupational therapist-reported judgments.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTIn subacute stroke, patient and OT ADL ability ratings matched moderately, but their ratings of change matched poorly. At discharge, OTs judged ADL ability higher than patients and than actual ADL performance.
• PTOTCohort2024Association Between Depression Symptoms and Disability Outcomes in Older Adults at Risk of Mobility Decline.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationDepression symptoms linked to worse physical function and participation in older adults at risk of mobility decline. However, depression did not predict how quickly these abilities declined over two years. Treat depression as a concurrent marker of current disability, not necessarily a driver of future rapid decline.
• PTOTCase Series2024Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Functional Outcomes and Disposition After Liver Transplant.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAfter liver transplant, 107 patients averaged a 35.7-point FIM gain on the 18-to-126 FIM scale, and 83% ultimately discharged to community. With no comparison group, this cannot show rehabilitation caused the gains.
• PTNarrative Review2024The Utilization of Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Gluteus Medius Tendon Pathology: A Perspective for Rehabilitation Providers.International journal of sports physical therapyUltrasound is described as a possible adjunct for gluteus medius tendon pathology, but the paper reports no original methods or results to act on.