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 578 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCohort2025Impact of a stroke care pathway on self-perceived health 3 months after stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineMeeting stroke care time targets did not improve how patients rated their own health three months later. The study included mostly mild strokes, so it does not tell you whether these pathways help patients with severe deficits feel better.
• SLPCohort2025Quality of Life in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Patients after Vocal Fold Surgery: An In-Depth Exploration.Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica : official organ of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP)Among 100 adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis after vocal fold surgery, older age was linked to less voice-related handicap and distress. More surgeries were linked to more distress. Gender, HPV type, vaccination, surgery site, and recovery time were not linked to these scores.
• PTOTCohort2025Self-reported sleep disturbances and its determinants in people 1 year or more after stroke: A cross-sectional study.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMore than half of stroke survivors reported sleep disturbances over a year after their stroke. Women and those using mobility devices reported significantly worse sleep. Factors like age, time since stroke, and stroke location were not linked to sleep quality, suggesting these disturbances persist long-term in specific groups.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Accuracy of the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children in the primary care setting.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn a statewide primary care model, the STAT screening tool agreed with expert diagnosis in 78% of cases. It missed autism in children with higher developmental skills and lower symptom severity, so a low score does not rule out autism in these children.
• PTOTCohort2025Association between widespread pain and psychosocial factors in people with knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study of patients from primary care in Denmark.Physiotherapy theory and practiceIn people with knee osteoarthritis, marking more body sites as painful on a chart was linked to lower confidence in managing symptoms and more anxiety or depression. However, widespread pain was not linked to higher fear of movement, and in some groups was linked to less.
• OTOther2025Haptics-based, higher-order sensory substitution designed for object negotiation in blindness and low vision: Virtual Whiskers.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyIn a small indoor course, Virtual Whiskers used with a white cane often increased completion time. Open path mode reduced hesitation and cane contacts, while depth mode did not improve these outcomes.
• PTCase Report2025Case Report: Combination of focal vibration therapy and botulinum toxin injections to treat equinus gait in a child with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn one child with cerebral palsy, adding vibration therapy to standard care and botulinum toxin injections was associated with faster walking and less calf pain. The vibration effects seemed to disappear after the toxin injections, suggesting the two treatments may work through different mechanisms.
• SLPCohort2024Trajectories of Hearing From Childhood to Adulthood.Ear and hearingBetter mid-frequency hearing at ages 7 to 11 was linked to better mid- and high-frequency hearing at age 45. Childhood ear fluid history was also linked to worse high-frequency hearing and spatial cue use in noise.
• PTOTCase-Control2024Prestroke Physical Activity Matters for Functional Limitations: A Longitudinal Case-Control Study of 12,860 Participants.Physical therapyPeople who were physically active before their stroke had fewer limitations in daily tasks like dressing and walking than those who were inactive. This protective effect of activity was stronger in stroke survivors than in matched adults who did not have a stroke.
• SLPNarrative Review2024Uses of Linguistic Context in Speech Listening: Does Acquired Hearing Loss Lead to Reduced Engagement of Prediction?Ear and hearingPeople with hearing loss may struggle to predict upcoming words because generating these predictions demands cognitive resources they are already spending on decoding degraded sound. Instead, they likely rely more on filling in gaps after the fact or processing words as they arrive.
• PTCohort2024Cervical spine proprioception and vestibular/oculomotor function: An observational study comparing young adults with and without a concussion history.Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports MedicineYoung adults 6 months to 3 years after concussion had worse dizziness, more neck position errors, and more symptoms during eye and balance tests than controls. Neck error was not related to dizziness, but symptoms during testing were.
• PTQualitative2024Transgender, Gender-Diverse, and Nonbinary Experiences in Physical Therapy: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.Physical therapyTransgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary clients in New Zealand physical therapy described safety and trust as decisive. They valued clinics that used chosen names and pronouns, respected consent for touch, and used body terms participants said helped with dysphoria.
• SLPSystematic Review2024A Multimodal Approach to Measuring Listening Effort: A Systematic Review on the Effects of Auditory Task Demand on Physiological Measures and Their Relationship.Ear and hearingPupil dilation and skin conductance tracked listening demand most consistently, but no single physiological measure was a reliable marker. Measures rarely correlated with each other or with patients' own effort ratings, so one reading does not stand in for another.
• PTOther2024Gait kinematics differ by bout duration and setting.Gait & posturePeople walked faster and with longer steps inside the lab than outside, and faster and with longer steps during long out-of-lab bouts than short out-of-lab bouts. Hip, knee and ankle movement did not differ by setting or bout length.
• OTSLPOther2024Multilingualism impacts children's executive function and core autism symptoms.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMultilingual children with autism showed better parent-reported inhibition and perspective-taking than monolingual peers. These skills were linked to fewer social and repetitive symptoms. The study is cross-sectional, so it cannot prove that speaking multiple languages causes these improvements.
• Narrative Review2024The salaried PM&R physician.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineNo patient outcomes are reported. This review and physician perspective does not provide evidence to change therapy practice.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Ethics of research engagement with Deaf people. A qualitative evidence synthesis.Journal of deaf studies and deaf educationDeaf participants and researchers described academic settings as hostile, hearing-centered spaces that generate deep distrust. They reported that meaningful engagement requires sign language competence, Deaf leadership, and proactive community relationship-building before research begins, rather than relying on standard consent forms or interpreters.
• SLPCohort2024Electrocochleography-Based Tonotopic Map: II. Frequency-to-Place Mismatch Impacts Speech-Perception Outcomes in Cochlear Implant Recipients.Ear and hearingFor cochlear implant users, mismatch between the device's frequency map and the patient's actual cochlear tuning affected speech scores only at higher frequencies. Basal shifts at 1000 and 2000 Hz correlated with better performance, while 500 Hz mismatch did not.
• PTOTCohort2024Total ankle arthroplasty improves discrete and continuous stance phase gait symmetry.Gait & posturePatients with end-stage ankle arthritis who underwent total ankle arthroplasty showed improved gait symmetry at one and two years post-surgery. Weight acceptance, propulsion, and ankle moments became more symmetrical, though hip angle asymmetry persisted throughout the stance phase.
• OTSLPSurvey2024Inner experiences, mental health, and well-being in autistic and non-autistic adults.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic adults reported significantly more frequent self-talk for social assessment, self-criticism, and self-management than non-autistic adults. This self-talk correlated with higher anxiety and depression. Inner experience patterns were otherwise similar between groups.
• PTOther2024Injury Patterns in Fencing Athletes - A Retrospective Review.International journal of sports physical therapy73% of fencing injuries seen in clinics were in the lower extremity, and 49% of those involved the knee; upper limb injuries were almost always on the dominant side when documented. 80% were treated with physical therapy; when recorded, 51% had no time off sport.
• PTSystematic Review2025Assessment of ambulation functions through kinematic analysis in individuals with stroke: a systematic review.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineMany lower-limb motion metrics after stroke have been tested, but the evidence that they are consistent and meaningful is mostly moderate to low. Most studies looked at walking, so use these metrics cautiously in daily mobility decisions.
• SLPCohort2025Change on the Revised Hearing Handicap Inventory and associated factors: results from a longitudinal cohort study.International journal of audiologyOver a mean of 7.6 years, most people’s self-reported hearing difficulty stayed stable. Hearing aid users showed more change than non-users. Baseline hearing loss predicted worsening in non-users, but did not predict change in hearing aid users.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2025Quantifying neurobehavioral profiles across neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes and idiopathic neurodevelopmental disorders.Developmental medicine and child neurologyCaregiver ratings showed people with PHTS, NFIX and SYNGAP1 had very low motor, daily living and processing speed scores. Each syndrome also had distinct symptoms, such as panic anxiety in NFIX and self-injury in SYNGAP1.
• SLPCase Series2025Using language sample analyses across English dialects: A case-based approach for preschoolers.Clinical linguistics & phoneticsThree typically developing preschoolers spoke different English dialects. Scores varied across language analysis methods, but no differences reached statistical significance. These cases show how dialects affect test scores, but do not prove which method is best.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Factors associated with upper extremity use after stroke: a scoping review of accelerometry studies.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke survivors' daily arm use is driven mainly by severity and motor capacity, not age, sex, or time since stroke. Therapists should use wearable sensors to spot patients who have the ability to use their arm but do not, as clinical observation often misses this gap.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on paroxysmal sympathetic hyperexcitability with acquired brain injury and cortical excitability: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationPatients receiving tDCS plus medication showed a 19.8-point drop in PSH severity scores, compared to 6.9 points with sham plus medication. This pilot study suggests tDCS may help reduce sympathetic hyperexcitability and medication needs in acquired brain injury.
• OTRCT2025Telerehabilitation for visual field defects with a multisensory training: a feasibility study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn 26 adults with chronic homonymous visual field defects, home-based audio-visual scanning training improved visual search accuracy and speed, reading, and daily vision-related difficulties, with gains persisting to 6 months. It did not enlarge the visual field.
• OTOther2025Increased alpha power in autistic adults: Relation to sensory behaviors and cortical volume.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic adults had higher alpha brain activity than nonautistic adults. Larger cortical volume predicted higher alpha in autistic adults. Sensory scores were also linked to the alpha response. This is a brain measurement study, not a treatment finding.
• SLPOther2025Clinical Implementation of DIGEST as an Evidence-Based Practice Tool for Videofluoroscopy in Oncology: A Six-Year Single Institution Implementation Evaluation.DysphagiaA new swallowing severity tool was used in 93% of over 13,000 videofluoroscopy exams at a cancer center. Clinicians recorded it accurately in almost all cases. It fits easily into existing workflows, though it cannot be used for patients with total laryngectomies or fistulas.
• SLPOther2025Investigating visual perspective taking and belief reasoning in autistic adults: A pre-registered online study.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults were not slower or less accurate than non-autistic adults when reasoning about others' beliefs. They showed a steeper slowdown when switching visual perspectives but made fewer errors when ignoring irrelevant beliefs. This points to differences in self-other control, not mentalizing deficits.
• SLPCohort2025Fiberoptic Endoscopy Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) Findings Associated with High Pneumonia Risk in a Cohort of Patients at Risk of Dysphagia.DysphagiaAspiration seen on swallowing endoscopy (FEES) was independently linked to pneumonia in patients at risk of dysphagia. Penetration and residue were associated only when aspiration was also present, so aspiration is the key finding for pneumonia risk.
• PTOther2025Combined Strength of Standardized Lab Sprint Testing and Wheelchair Mobility Field Testing in Wheelchair Tennis Players.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationLab sprint and anaerobic power closely matched on-court sprint power in 18 wheelchair tennis players, but field tests showed higher speeds and skill demands. Combine both for elite athletes; field tests may suffice for amateurs.
• Other2025Detailed phenotyping of Tbr1-2A-CreER knock-in mice demonstrates significant impacts on TBR1 protein levels and axon development.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchThe Tbr1-2A-CreER mouse line reduces TBR1 protein levels by 20.1% in heterozygotes and causes thinning of the anterior commissure. Researchers advise caution when using this line for cortical projection neuron analysis due to these unintended developmental defects.
• SLPQualitative2025An 'explosion in the mouth': The oral health experiences of autistic children.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic children described toothpaste as an 'explosion in the mouth' and dental tools as 'weird' due to sensory overload. They preferred non-foaming, flavourless options and consistent dentists who explained procedures. Parents and familiar adults were key to establishing routines and managing anxiety.
• PTOTPilot2024A Falls Prevention Program for People After Stroke in Guyana: An International Collaboration.Physical therapyIn Guyana, 19 people post-stroke who joined an 8-week home and clinic falls prevention program showed improved walking speed and sit-to-stand time. Most reported less fear of falling and continued the exercises at home. This is a small pilot study, so it shows feasibility and preliminary benefit, not proven efficacy.
• SLPOther2024Emotion dysregulation in autism: Severity and correlates in early childhood.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research58% of autistic preschoolers exceeded a cutoff for fast, intense emotional reactions, and 46% for low positive affect. Sleep problems, speaking ability, autism traits, and parent depression were associated. No treatment was tested.
• Other2024Autistic adults exhibit a typical search advantage for facing dyads.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic and non-autistic adults showed no difference in their advantage for finding face-to-face pairs. Both groups found face-to-face pairs faster than back-to-back pairs, though autistic adults were slower overall.
• SLPOther2024International Consensus Statements on Intraoperative Testing for Cochlear Implantation Surgery.Ear and hearingExpert panels agreed on 24 statements regarding intraoperative testing for cochlear implants, covering imaging and electrophysiology. These are recommendations for standardization, not evidence that the tests improve patient outcomes or hearing recovery.
• PTCohort2024Associating neuromotor outcomes at 12 months with wearable sensor measures collected during early infancy in rural Guatemala.Gait & postureWearable sensors on infant ankles in rural Guatemala linked movement variability to later motor scores. Infants with more diverse leg movements in early infancy had higher motor scores at 12 months. Movement rate and peak acceleration did not predict outcomes.
• PTOther2024Normalization of the hip abductors rate of activation during a voluntary step task in older adults: Reliability and differences among approaches.Gait & postureDifferent ways of scaling muscle activity data during a stepping test produce different numbers, but all methods are consistent across trials. Researchers should use the peak muscle activity during the step to normalize data, as this method was reliable for all muscles and sides.
• PTOTCase Series2024The Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Tibial Bone Stress Injury Rehabilitation: An Exploratory Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyMilitary trainees with tibial bone stress injuries who added blood flow restriction training to their rehab did not lose bone density or muscle mass over four weeks. They reported significant improvements in pain, function, and anxiety, suggesting this approach may help maintain tissue health during restricted activity.
• SLPMeta-Analysis2024A Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis of the Relations Between Cognition and Cochlear Implant Outcomes and the Effect of Quiet Versus Noise Testing Conditions.Ear and hearingCognitive screening and attention tasks correlate with how well adults understand speech after cochlear implantation, especially in quiet. However, results vary widely across studies, and noise testing is underpowered. Do not use these scores alone to predict outcomes or select candidates.
• SLPPilot2024Listening Effort Measured With Pupillometry in Cochlear Implant Users Depends on Sound Level, But Not on the Signal to Noise Ratio When Using the Matrix Test.Ear and hearingFor cochlear implant users, pupil dilation did not change with speech difficulty, making this physiological measure unreliable for assessing listening effort in this group. Subjective ratings did change with difficulty, but likely reflected performance rather than effort alone.
• Cohort2024GABA and glutamate measurements in temporal cortex of autistic children.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchBrain scans of autistic children showed chemical differences in the right temporal lobe only. Higher inhibitory GABA and lower excitatory glutamate levels were found there. No significant differences appeared in the left hemisphere. These biological markers do not yet translate into clinical tests or treatments.
• PTOTCohort2024The Importance of Racially and Ethnically Inclusive Gait Speed Reference Values in Individuals 90 Years and Older: LifeAfter90.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)Gait speeds in people over 90 were substantially slower than in those under 90, with a mean of 0.54 m/s. Using standard cut points like 1 m/s to flag risk is not useful in this group, as almost no one walks that fast.
• PTCase-Control2025Heteronymous feedback from quadriceps onto soleus in stroke survivors.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn stroke survivors, reflex feedback from the thigh to the calf muscle was no different from healthy controls when tested sitting. The study found no link between these reflexes and walking speed or balance, suggesting this specific mechanism does not explain common walking impairments.
• PTOTCohort2025Post-stroke Stiff-Knee gait: are there different types or different severity levels?Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationGait patterns in post-stroke stiff-knee gait cluster into three groups based on compensatory movements, not just knee angle. However, the differences reflect varying severity of impairment rather than distinct neurological subtypes. Clinicians should assess overall gait severity, not just knee flexion.
• PTOther2025Physiotherapy of the Trunk Related to Sitting Function After Stroke: A Delphi Study.Clinical rehabilitationExpert stroke physiotherapists agreed on sitting-focused task practice for subacute stroke. Midline orientation and foot loading were considered important. These are expert recommendations, not tested interventions.
• PTOTCohort2025Malnutrition and sarcopenia in inpatient rehabilitation: prevalence and associations with changes in bodyweight, muscle strength, and functional independence.Journal of rehabilitation medicineOver a third of inpatient rehab patients had malnutrition or sarcopenia. Strength and function improved during rehab, but malnourished patients were still weaker and less independent at discharge. Many at-risk patients lost weight, suggesting follow-up is needed.