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 563 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTOther2024Factors that Influence the Daily Living Skills of Autistic Adults: The Importance of Opportunity.Journal of autism and developmental disordersFor autistic adults with average or higher IQ, lack of opportunity was the most common reason for low daily living skills scores, accounting for 59% of items. Scores improved by 7.65 points when adjusted for opportunity, suggesting environment limits performance more than ability.
• PTCohort2024Time-course for acquiring transfer independence in patients with subacute stroke: a prospective cohort study.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients split into three groups: those independent early, those needing help but improving, and those remaining dependent. For the middle group, switching to walking practice was often more efficient than mastering wheelchair transfers. For the dependent group, prioritise subtasks like sitting stability over equipment manipulation.
• PTSLPQualitative2024Working towards consensus on the assessment of mood after severe acquired brain injury: Focus groups with UK-based professionals.Clinical rehabilitationProfessionals working with people after severe brain injury agreed mood assessment needs a team process of gathering information, assessing, treating and formulating, not routine questionnaires. They warned that brain injury symptoms can hide mood problems, and that low mood may be different in this group.
• PTOther2024Proposed categories for reporting of service organization in rehabilitation in clinical trials: a discussion paper.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineThe authors propose a minimum set of organizational factors to report in rehabilitation trials. They recommend detailing the service context, setting, and quality assurance to help clinicians understand how care was organized.
• PTOTSLPRCT2024The effect and mechanism of motor imagery based on action observation treatment on dysphagia in Wallenberg Syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAdding 14 days of motor imagery based on action observation to standard swallowing therapy improved overall swallowing function and quality of life in Wallenberg syndrome patients compared to standard therapy alone. However, it did not significantly reduce airway invasion or pharyngeal residue.
• OTSLPPilot2024Applying a Motivational Instructional Design Model to Stroke Rehabilitation: A Feasibility Study on Occupational and Swallowing Therapies.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationStroke patients receiving a structured motivation-support process during OT or swallowing therapy plus usual physical and occupational therapy had no dropouts or adverse events. 84% were satisfied and 76% intended to continue. Outcome changes cannot be separated from usual therapy.
• PTOTCohort2024Exploring the Effect of Preamputation Employment and Income on Ambulation in Dysvascular Lower Extremity Amputees After Amputee Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationBeing employed before amputation predicted better walking distance at discharge, but the difference was not clinically meaningful. Household income showed no association. Therapists should not expect pre-amputation employment status alone to drive significant functional recovery.
• OTCohort2024Alcohol Use Patterns Among Underage Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth.Journal of autism and developmental disordersUnderage autistic youth drink less frequently and heavily than non-autistic peers, but those who do drink are more likely to have depression or a history of bullying. They also report lower masking of autistic traits. This suggests prevention strategies need to address these specific risk factors.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2024Ultrasound-guided percutaneous lavage for the treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineUltrasound-guided lavage beats shock-wave therapy for pain at one year but not earlier, and clears calcium faster. It is safe but not clearly superior to steroid injections or sham procedures. Evidence is very low, so do not expect this to resolve your patient's symptoms definitively.
• PTOTPilot2024Inertial measurement units to evaluate the efficacity of Equino Varus Foot surgery in post stroke hemiparetic patients: a feasibility study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn 20 patients, most reported better walking after surgery, but the sensor-based gait scores did not change significantly. The sensors worked reliably, yet they did not prove the surgery improved gait.
• PTOTOther2024A reliable and valid assessment of upper limb movement quality after stroke: the observational Drinking Task Assessment.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe Drinking Task Assessment reliably scores upper limb movement quality after stroke in 5 to 10 minutes. It correlates strongly with standard tests like the ARAT and Fugl-Meyer. A change of 1 point in the total score or 1 second in movement time reflects real improvement, not just measurement error.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Behaviours that Challenge in SATB2-associated Syndrome: Correlates of Self-injury, Aggression and Property Destruction.Journal of autism and developmental disordersSelf-injury was linked to reflux signs and health problems, aggression to impulsivity, and property destruction to older age and male sex. These are correlations from caregiver reports, not proof that treating these factors reduces behaviour.
• SLPSystematic Review2024Advancing patient-centered cancer care: a systematic review of electronic patient-reported outcome measures.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesElectronic cancer questionnaires were mostly generic quality-of-life and symptom measures, including a head-and-neck module that asks about swallowing. This review of 85 studies mapped tools, not evidence that using them improves care.
• Meta-Analysis2024Increasing Face Mask Wearing in Autistic Individuals Using Behavior Analytic Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBehavior-based programs helped autistic children tolerate face masks longer, with target durations reported as 5, 10, 30, and 60 minutes. The evidence is small and low quality, so it does not prove masks are safe or necessary.
• SLPOther2024Machine Learning Differentiation of Autism Spectrum Sub-Classifications.Journal of autism and developmental disordersA machine learning model using routine questionnaire and demographic data classified autism spectrum subtypes with high accuracy. It correctly identified 80.5% of cases in the main dataset, though positive predictive value for PDD-NOS was low at 0.221.
• SLPSurvey2024Social Anxiety in Autistic People: Does the Clark and Wells Model fit?Journal of autism and developmental disordersThe Clark and Wells model explains about half the variance in social fears for autistic adults, but autistic people report higher fear than the model predicts. Safety behaviours link less strongly to fear in autism, suggesting standard therapy protocols may need adaptation.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2024Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation alone or in combination with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in poststroke rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRepetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation improved upper limb movement and daily activities in stroke patients compared to sham or no stimulation. Adding transcranial magnetic stimulation did not provide extra benefit over transcranial magnetic stimulation alone. Higher stimulation doses were linked to better activity outcomes.
• SLPSystematic Review2024How are Autistic People Involved in the Design of Extended Reality Technologies? A Systematic Literature Review.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic people were rarely co-designers of XR technologies. When they were, their input improved usability and reduced anxiety. Most projects relied on teachers or parents instead. None of the studies let autistic people set the research questions.
• Other2024Social Determinants of Health and the Use of Community-Based Rehabilitation Following Stroke: Methodologic Considerations.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translation
• OTSurvey2024Repetitive Behaviours in Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults: Associations with Sensory Sensitivity and Impact on Self-Efficacy.Journal of autism and developmental disordersRepetitive behaviours and sensory sensitivity were strongly linked in autistic and non-autistic adults. For people who stimmed, being able to stim was linked with higher self-rated ability to cope; substitute socially acceptable stims were rated less helpful.
• OTSLPCohort2024Psychosocial Outcomes in Autistic Children Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic children in the Netherlands showed unexpected improvements in behavior and peer problems during the pandemic. Hyperactivity and conduct issues decreased, while prosocial behavior increased. Emotional problems remained stable, but worsened if the child themselves worried about COVID-19.
• SLPCohort2025Autistic Characteristics in a Nationally Representative Clinical Sample of Adolescents Seeking Medical Gender-Affirming Treatment in Norway.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn adolescents seeking gender-affirming care, 9.6% had an autism diagnosis, all assigned female at birth. Parent-reported autistic traits were higher than norms in this group, particularly social motivation difficulties. However, no significant difference in total trait scores was found between assigned female and male groups.
• OTRCT2025Wrist Stabilising Exercise Versus Hand Orthotic Intervention for Persons with Hypermobility - A Randomised Clinical Trial.Clinical rehabilitationWrist stabilising exercises, plus hand anatomy and ergonomic advice, did not outperform a hand orthosis, plus the same advice, for activity, hand function or pain in hypermobility. Neither showed clear advantage after 12 weeks.
• SLPRCT2025Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) for Italy: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Social Skills Intervention for Autistic Adolescents.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCompared with waiting, Italian PEERS® did not improve parent-rated overall social ability in autistic teens, but it increased social knowledge and the number of get-togethers they hosted.
• SLPCohort2025Brief Report: Single and Repeat Screening with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised in Young Children at Higher Likelihood for Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersFor toddlers with an older sibling with autism, screening twice (at 18 and 24 months) caught more true cases than screening once. Parents with autism experience reported symptoms more consistently, so take their M-CHAT-R scores over the cutoff seriously and refer promptly.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024Participation and Experiences in Extracurricular Activities for Autistic and Neurotypical Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of autistic children reported similar interest in extracurricular activities as neurotypical parents, but their children participated in fewer activities. Barriers were not just child behavior, but included program structure and social attitudes, suggesting inclusive design is key.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Self-reported fatigue in people with post COVID-19: impact on functioning in daily life, and associated factors - a cross-sectional study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineMost people with post-COVID-19 reported severe physical and mental fatigue that disrupted daily life. Lower work ability and reduced aerobic capacity were strongly linked to higher fatigue. Being a woman and younger age were also associated with greater fatigue, while many did not report exercise worsening their symptoms.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone fractures: a systematic review update.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicinePulsed electromagnetic fields did not significantly speed up bone healing in acute fractures. Evidence for pain reduction and functional recovery is contradictory and based on very few studies. Current data does not support using this therapy to improve fracture healing.
• PTOTOther2024Exploring patient perspective: using narrative DIPEx interviews and the ICF model for interprofessional learning.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences24 students from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, midwifery, health promotion and nursing reported that patient narratives made the ICF model easier to use in practice. They valued interprofessional discussion for shared understanding.
• SLPQualitative2024Development of core sets for deafblindness using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: the perspectives of individuals with lived experience.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicinePeople with deafblindness and caregivers most often described communication, mobility, social interaction, attitudes, family support, personal assistants, and communication technology as central. These themes can guide assessment and goal setting.
• PTOTCohort2024Multidisciplinary Home-Based Rehabilitation Program for Individuals With Disabilities: Longitudinal Observational Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesBalance scores increased after a 4-month home rehabilitation program in 270 people with moderate musculoskeletal or neurological disabilities. Depression scores showed no clear change. Many therapies were given together, so no single treatment can be credited.
• SLPQualitative2024The Earlier, the Better? An In-Depth Interview Study on the Ethics of Early Detection with Parents of Children at an Elevated Likelihood for Autism.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents described an autism diagnosis as a tool to justify changing their parenting and to gain recognition from others. They worried the label could also cause stereotyping. They suggested waiting for a 'timely' diagnosis rather than rushing for an early one.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Sensory Symptoms and Signs of Hyperarousal in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome: Findings from the FORWARD Registry and Database Multisite Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersSensory symptoms and hyperarousal are highly prevalent in Fragile X Syndrome, affecting 87% of males and 68% of females. These issues significantly restrict participation in daily activities. Despite this, sensory-specific treatments like sensory integration therapy are used in less than 20% of cases.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Digital technologies for pediatric rehabilitation: current access and use in the European Rehatech4child survey.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineMost European rehabilitation professionals use digital technologies for children, but access is the main barrier. Those with easier access used them far more frequently. Lack of funding and training were top concerns, while children's motivation was not.
• OTSLPCohort2024Harsh Parenting and Trajectories of Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in Autistic Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn autistic children, higher maternal harsh parenting was linked to more behavioural problems, but not emotional ones. Children exposed to high levels of smacking and shouting saw their total difficulties rise from borderline to abnormal by age 7.
• SLPQualitative2024Korean Immigrant Mothers and the Journey to Autism Diagnosis and Services for Their Child in the United States.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMothers described autism as illness or severe disability, bilingualism delaying concern, and US-Korea system gaps stalling services; family and clinician support helped them act.
• SLPCase-Control2024The Acquisition of Relative Clauses in Autism: The Role of Executive Functions and Language.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic children’s relative-clause accuracy was not clearly lower than typically developing children’s, except in some object-clause conditions. Object relative clauses were harder than subject relative clauses for both groups.
• PTOther2024Design and development of an eHealth intervention to support self-management in people with musculoskeletal disorders: 'eHealth: it's TIME'.Clinical rehabilitationPeople with musculoskeletal disorders and physiotherapists helped design a follow-up self-management app prototype with four components. Small usability tests rated it good, but the study did not test whether it reduces pain or improves function.
• SLPOther2024Screening for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Young Autistic Adults: The Diagnostic Accuracy of Three Commonly Used Questionnaires.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParent-reported SDQ ADHD subscale missed 40% of ADHD cases in autistic young adults, despite high specificity. No single questionnaire, parent- or self-reported, met acceptable sensitivity and specificity thresholds simultaneously. Screening alone cannot rule out ADHD in this group.
• PTSLPCohort2024Lower peak expiratory flow rate is associated with a higher risk of pneumonia in patients with stroke.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineStroke patients with a peak expiratory flow below 60% of the expected value had a significantly higher risk of developing pneumonia during rehabilitation. This simple bedside breathing test, combined with swallowing assessment and age, helps identify patients who need closer respiratory monitoring.
• Narrative Review2024The role of single case experimental designs in evidence creation in rehabilitation.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineThis paper reviews the methodology of single-case experimental designs in rehabilitation. It offers no new clinical evidence or patient outcomes, so there is nothing here to change practice on.
• PTOTSLPOther2024The standard posture is a myth: a scoping review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe "ideal" upright posture taught in clinical manuals is a myth. It was designed based on incorrect 19th-century anatomy and assumes standing is effortless. Healthy adults do not naturally stand this way. Using it as a standard labels normal people as abnormal and ignores individual variation.
• OTCohort2024Remembering the future; prospective memory across the autistic adult's life span.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic and non-autistic adults performed similarly on prospective memory tasks. Both groups showed age-related decline in lab tests but no decline in everyday tasks. Older autistic adults completed an ongoing lab task slower than others, suggesting different attention allocation strategies.
• PTOTCohort2024Acceptability, validity and responsiveness of inertial measurement units for assessing motor recovery after gene therapy in infants with early onset spinal muscular atrophy: a prospective cohort study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWearable sensors on wrists, feet and elbows were tolerated during 25-minute tests in infants with SMA after gene therapy. Movement measures tracked motor scores and increased over 12 months, with elbow and foot sensors linked to unaided sitting.
• RCT2024Differing effectiveness of transcranial random noise stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation for enhancing working memory in healthy individuals: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTranscranial random noise stimulation improved accuracy during the task compared to sham, but showed no benefit after stimulation ended. Direct current and noise-with-offset failed to improve performance. This effect was limited to healthy young adults and did not speed up responses.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Improved functional oral intake and exercise training attenuate decline in aerobic capacity following chemoradiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAerobic capacity and grip strength dropped significantly after chemoradiotherapy in esophageal cancer patients, with no recovery at 6-8 weeks. Patients who chose supervised exercise training had less decline. Improved swallowing function was strongly linked to better preserved aerobic capacity.
• OTOther2025Motor Signature Differences Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Coordination Disorder, and Their Neural Mechanisms.Journal of autism and developmental disordersA tablet coloring game and computer model sorted children into the right group 71%, 76% and 78% of the time in two-group comparisons, but standard motor tests and video coding did not tell autism from coordination disorder.
• SLPCohort2025Behavioral Phenotypes and Comorbidity in 3q29 Deletion Syndrome: Results from the 3q29 Registry.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIndividuals with 3q29 deletion syndrome show significantly elevated behavioral problems and high rates of comorbidity compared to controls. The CBCL autism screener is highly sensitive for ASD, but CBCL/ABCL scales are poor screeners for anxiety and ADHD, requiring gold-standard diagnostic evaluations.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Exploring maintenance rehabilitation in adults with chronic conditions: a scoping review of the literature.Disability and rehabilitationMost maintenance therapy programs for chronic conditions focus on physical activity, with 87% of studies using movement-based interventions. Only 3% targeted cognition and 4% involved speech-language pathology. Programs are typically in-person, individual, and 60 minutes long, with 89% reporting positive results.
• SLPRCT2025Investigating Social Competence in a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of a Theatre-Based Intervention Enhanced for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdults with autism who did ten weeks of peer-supported theatre showed better brain responses to faces and reported higher social motivation. These gains held at two-month follow-up. Direct measures of face memory and observed conversation skills did not improve.