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 620 OF 704 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTOther2026Establishing Key Domains for Measuring Workplace Mental Health: The Indicators of A Thriving Workplace Survey.Journal of occupational rehabilitationA new 47-item survey validated across 9,947 Australian workers identifies five domains of workplace mental health: Leadership, Connectedness, Safety, Work Design, and Capability. Industry scores differed significantly, with Work Design showing the greatest variation.
• OTSystematic Review2026Organizational Practices and Their Outcomes for Employees with Disabilities: A Review and Synthesis of Quantitative Studies.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAcross 27 quantitative studies, organizational practices like accommodations, leadership, and workplace culture showed mixed links to employee performance, well-being, and job retention. While positive practices were associated with better outcomes, negative factors like discrimination and job insecurity also emerged. The evidence base is fragmented, with no controlled effect studies.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Realising the Case Management Ideal in Multi-organisational Coordination Work to Support Work Ability and (Re)employment in Finland.Journal of occupational rehabilitationWork ability coordinators cannot track clients across agencies because each organisation uses separate systems. This breaks the continuity of care during rehabilitation. Informal local networks were the only way to maintain contact. Clinicians should expect gaps in client history when patients move between services.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026Social development of girls with a physical disability during adolescence: Parent perspectives.Rehabilitation psychologyMothers of girls with physical disabilities reported that puberty amplified the gap between their daughters and peers. Girls struggled to find friends who understood their daily medical routines. This led to increased self-consciousness and hesitancy to socialize, even for those who appeared to have good friendships.
• PTOTCase-Control2026Mode of locomotion and other determinants of navigation ability post-stroke.Neuropsychological rehabilitationStroke patients were less accurate than controls when retracing a real building route after walking it. Pointing to remembered landmark locations did not differ. Within the stroke group, video learning was worse than walking; wheelchair and walking did not differ.
• OTCohort2026What Predicts Changes in the Work Situation of Recently Diagnosed People with Multiple Sclerosis and do these Predictors also Apply to Healthy People?Journal of occupational rehabilitationIn people with recently diagnosed multiple sclerosis, better information processing speed was linked to fewer work difficulties after one year. Higher conscientiousness was linked to more working hours. These are associations, not proven treatments.
• PTOTRCT2026Comparing the Effectiveness of Digital and Conventional Rehabilitation Aftercare on Work Ability in Orthopedic Patients: A Longitudinal Study in Germany.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAll three groups improved in work ability, but the digital app showed no true advantage over conventional care or no care once age and employment were adjusted. The apparent early gain in the app group was due to baseline differences, not the intervention.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Conceptualizing Stigma in the Injured Worker Literature: A Scoping Review.Journal of occupational rehabilitationThe word "stigma" is rarely used in research on injured workers, making these studies hard to find. Researchers instead describe these experiences using terms like "malingering," "blame," "discrimination," and "lack of support." This terminology gap limits awareness of the problem.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Identity development among veterans with spinal cord injury: A qualitative study.Rehabilitation psychologyVeterans with spinal cord injury rebuilt their identities by adapting activities to keep doing what mattered and by changing their self-concept to accept new roles. Support from peers with similar injuries and engaging in active daily routines were central to this process.
• SLPCohort2025Assessing the Relationship Between Chronic Pain and Cognition: A NIDILRR and VA TBI Model Systems Collaborative Project.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationAmong people with moderate-to-severe TBI and current chronic pain, higher pain intensity and interference were linked to slightly worse telephone cognitive scores. Head pain was also linked to worse scores. The links were small, so their practical meaning is unclear.
• PTOTOther2025The Multilevel Limb-loss and Preservation Rehabilitation Continuum model (MLPRC): An evidence-based implementation model integrating multiple perspectives to improve outcomes for people facing limb loss.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationA proposed limb-loss care model maps phases from threatened limb through prosthetic and nonprosthetic use. It suggests touchpoints and steps to spot gaps, but does not test whether it improves outcomes.
• OTCohort2025The Effect of Preinjury Psychiatric Difficulties on Caregiving Needs and Postinjury Emotional Distress in Care Partners of Persons With Traumatic Brain Injury.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationCare partners with a history of mental health issues reported more depression and anxiety up to two years after the patient's injury. However, their pre-injury history did not predict whether their support needs were met at six months. Screen for psychiatric history to identify at-risk caregivers.
• PTOTCohort2025Ultrasonographic Measurement of Severe Sarcopenia in the Elderly Subject.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationUltrasound measurement of rectus femoris thickness significantly distinguished severe from non-severe sarcopenia in elderly patients. A thickness of 10.3 mm or less identified severe cases with 89% sensitivity, offering a rapid, accessible bedside tool for assessing functional decline.
• Other2025Telerehabilitation of patients with stroke: Initial program theories for successful implementation.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationProposed implementation theories for stroke telerehabilitation are not evidence that the strategies work. The paper reports no patient outcomes and offers no tested finding.
• OTQualitative2025Qualitative perspectives from Kinova® Jaco® robotic arm owners: understanding daily device usage.Disability and rehabilitationOwners of a wheelchair-mounted robotic arm valued independence but chose caregiver help when tasks took too long. Nine of eleven were frustrated by switching between wheelchair and arm modes, and wanted ongoing training and caregiver support.
• PTCase Series2025An Animal-Assisted Physiotherapy Intervention with a Rehabilitation Dog for Walking and Balance Training: A Case Series of Children Living with Cerebral Palsy.NeuroRehabilitationFour children with cerebral palsy improved postural control scores by 4 to 5 points after eight weeks of individualized physiotherapy with a trained rehabilitation dog, harness, and therapist handler. Walking measures varied, and no adverse events were reported. The dog alone cannot be credited.
• PTQualitative2025Preoperative spinal education for lumbar spinal stenosis (POSE-LSS): A qualitative analysis of patient experiences.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationTen patients undergoing lumbar stenosis surgery described a prehabilitation program as feasible and helpful for managing fear and setting realistic expectations. They valued one-on-one education and anatomical models. No barriers to completion were reported.
• PTOTRCT2025Vestibular Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis: Randomized Controlled Trial and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Comparing Customized With Booklet Based Vestibular Rehabilitation for Vestibulopathy.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairFor people with MS and vestibular issues, customized physiotherapy showed no significant advantage over a generic booklet-based home program on the primary measure of dizziness impact. However, the customized group improved more on secondary measures of walking, balance confidence, and vertigo severity.
• PTOTCohort2025Predicting medical prognosis in patients with glioblastoma during inpatient rehabilitation using bed mobility function.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationHigher bed mobility scores were linked with better survival after inpatient rehabilitation in glioblastoma. Discharge scores and mobility gains remained linked when other measures were considered. This simple measure may help guide prognosis and goals.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Self-regulation resource model of body compassion in multiple sclerosis.Rehabilitation psychologyIn 799 adults with multiple sclerosis, feeling compassionate toward one's own body was linked to higher confidence managing symptoms. This confidence was associated with less drug use and better social participation, but not with exercise. These are cross-sectional links, not proof that compassion causes behavior change.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Characteristics of pediatric patients with sports-related concussions: A single site retrospective review.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicinePediatric sports concussions peak during each sport's season, with football leading. Uninsured or Medicaid patients were more likely to present to the emergency department, miss follow-up appointments, and require a longer period to complete the same number of visits as privately insured patients.
• OTOther2026The Influence of a Health Promotion Program on Health and Paid Employment Among Long-Term Non-employed Individuals in the Netherlands.Journal of occupational rehabilitationThe Exercise Works health promotion program did not improve physical health, mental health, work ability, or paid employment more than usual employment services over 12 months. Participants and coaches still liked it.
• PTOTSLPOther2026A national consensus-based framework on preferred assessments and interventions in current treatment for young people with acquired brain injury in Dutch rehabilitation centers.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineDutch rehabilitation teams agreed on 37 assessments and 25 interventions for young people with acquired brain injury. The list covers physical, occupational, speech, and social work domains to standardize care, though most tools were not specifically validated for this population.
• PTOTRCT2026Individualized task difficulty promotes balance training outcomes and self-efficacy in individuals with lower limb loss.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalAdjusting balance training difficulty to each person's ability led to greater improvement in time in balance and self-efficacy compared to standard training. This suggests one-size-fits-all protocols may be too challenging for individuals with lower limb loss.
• PTOTSLPRCT2026Long COVID brain fog treatment: An early-phase randomized controlled trial of constraint-induced cognitive therapy signals go.Rehabilitation psychologyIn adults with long COVID brain fog, a 36-hour cognitive rehabilitation programme produced large improvements in everyday task performance and return to work. This pilot study suggests the approach is feasible and safe, but the sample was tiny and unblinded, so it cannot confirm the treatment works.
• OTSLPQualitative2026The Experience of Return to Work Among People with Persistent Symptoms Following a Concussion: An Interview Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitationSeven Danes with persistent concussion symptoms described their return-to-work process as defined by whether others believed them. Supportive stakeholders shortened their recovery, while distrust and random, late access to energy management programs prolonged it and caused isolation.
• OTQualitative2026Exploring Intersections of Race and Disability in the Context of Canadian Employment Support Systems Through the Experiences of Job Seekers/Workers, Employers, and Service Providers.Journal of occupational rehabilitationParticipants described employment supports as inflexible and unable to address the compounding effects of race, disability, and poverty. They requested immediate funding increases, employer education on bias, and service provider caseload reductions rather than long-term strategic planning.
• OTRCT2026A counterbalanced crossover pilot study of a personalized smartphone reminder application for older adults with cognitive impairment.Neuropsychological rehabilitationCare-partners reported significantly better task completion and lower burden when the person used the personalized SmartPrompt2 app. However, the app did not significantly improve the participant's own reported task completion compared to just tracking tasks on paper.
• Qualitative2026Managers' Use of Organizational Resources when Supporting Employees with Common Mental Disorders: A Swedish Qualitative Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitationManagers described clear routines, time, money, flexible work, human resources, occupational health services, safety representatives, senior managers, colleagues, team leaders and open climates as helpful for supporting employees with common mental disorders. Too rigid, distant, or stigma-laden resources felt unhelpful.
• PTOTCohort2025Risk of septic arthritis after corticosteroid joint injections: A retrospective propensity score-matched cohort analysis.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationLarge joint corticosteroid injections did not increase the risk of septic arthritis compared to matched patients who did not receive injections. The absolute risk of infection within 21 days was 0.0018, or 18 cases per 10,000 individuals.
• OTSLPPilot2025Purpose Renewal in Adults With Persisting Symptoms After Concussion: Results of a Non-Randomized Feasibility Trial.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationThe 12-week Compass Course was feasible for adults with persisting concussion symptoms, with 22 of 37 completing it. While completers reported high satisfaction and gains in purpose, nearly half withdrew, and the uncontrolled design cannot prove efficacy.
• PTOTPilot2025Acute Impact of Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Walking in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationWalking with 50% body weight support prevented the knee pain increase seen at full weight, while maintaining the same amount of moderate exercise. This suggests off-loading allows people with knee osteoarthritis to walk longer without symptom flare-ups.
• PTRCT2025Aquatic Treadmill Walking Lowers Pelvic Motion Irregularity in Typically Developing and Children With Cerebral Palsy.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationAquatic treadmill walking made pelvic motion steadier than dry treadmill walking, and slower speeds made it steadier. Children with cerebral palsy and typically developing children responded similarly. The outcome was motion steadiness, not walking ability.
• PTOther2025Exploring the relationship between prefrontal cortex activation, standing balance, and fatigue in people post-stroke: A fNIRS study.NeuroRehabilitationNine people post-stroke showed greater prefrontal cortex activation during semi-tandem standing than double-leg standing, with no consistent link to fatigue scores. The small sample and lack of statistical analysis make these findings preliminary observations rather than evidence to change practice.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Ultrasound-guided injections for the retrotrochanteric region: A cadaveric investigation.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationIn embalmed cadavers, a deep ultrasound-guided injection reached the target between the piriformis/triceps coxae tendons and hip capsule in 86% of suitable sides, while superficial injections failed. This confirms technical feasibility but does not prove pain relief in patients.
• PTOTCohort2025Sedentary behavior, physical activity, and health-related quality of life in adults with multiple sclerosis.Disability and rehabilitationDevice-measured physical activity, not sedentary time, was linked to better quality of life in adults with multiple sclerosis. Moderate-to-vigorous activity correlated with both physical and psychological well-being, while light activity correlated only with physical well-being.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Behavioral Fluctuation in Disorders of Consciousness: A Retrospective Analysis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness, CRS-R scores fluctuated frequently. A 1-point change was common without treatment. Motor behaviors were the most stable signs of consciousness, while language behaviors were the least stable. Serial assessment over 21 days is essential to distinguish spontaneous fluctuation from true clinical change.
• PTRCT2025Sex Differences in Response to Low- Versus High-Volume Aerobic Exercise for Sport-Related Concussion: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationAdolescents with concussion did not show a clear recovery difference between low and high volumes of aerobic exercise. In females, the high-volume group trended toward slower recovery, but this was not proven.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Supportive Elements and Challenges to Return to Work Following a Concussion: A Scoping Review.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationConcussion recovery at work depends on more than symptoms. Personal agency and social support help, while prolonged rest advice and poor funder relations hinder return. Clinicians should prioritize individualized, abilities-focused plans over generic rest.
• PTRCT2025Refining Maximal Heart Rate Estimation to Enhance Exercise Recommendations for Persons With Parkinson Disease.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationA Parkinson-specific formula using age and resting heart rate estimated maximal heart rate more accurately than age-only formulas, which overestimated it in 88% and 94% of participants.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2025The role of rehabilitation across the continuum of liver disease from cirrhosis to transplantation and beyond: A narrative review.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationRehabilitation is safe and improves function across liver disease stages. PTs focus on early mobility and endurance. OTs manage ADLs and tremor. SLPs address dysphagia and cognitive effects of encephalopathy. Evidence supports exercise for frailty, but long-term outcome data remain sparse.
• PTOTCohort2025Clinical Characterization of Hip Subgroups in Geriatric Chronic Low Back Pain.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationOlder adults with chronic low back pain and hip involvement reported worse pain quality and lower self-efficacy than those with no hip impairments. This subgroup also had less trunk flexibility and endurance. Screening for hip symptoms may help identify patients at higher risk for disability.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Compassion fatigue, work engagement, and psychological distress in health care workers treating patients with long COVID.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationHealth care workers who themselves had long COVID reported significantly higher distress, compassion fatigue, and lower engagement than those who did not. Early-career staff also reported less engagement and more fatigue than late-career peers.
• PTOther2025The biomechanical effect of different spring extension assist mechanisms in mechanical 4-bar polycentric prosthetic knees for unilateral above/through-knee amputees.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalPolycentric prosthetic knees without a spring singularity reduced peak prosthetic knee flexion by 9.4 degrees at self-selected speed and improved gait symmetry by 5.2% compared to designs with singularity. Walking speed did not significantly change.
• PTOTSurvey2026Validation of the Body Compassion Scale in multiple sclerosis.Rehabilitation psychologyThe Body Compassion Scale is a valid tool for adults with MS, measuring how they relate to their physical symptoms. Lower body compassion was linked to worse fatigue, pain, and mobility, while higher compassion associated with better resilience and mental health.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Impact of intensive, multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation on functional independence following pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI): A matched cohort study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineIn matched pediatric ABI inpatient cohorts, higher-intensity and lower-intensity therapy did not differ for functional independence at discharge. Both groups improved. OT minutes were associated with better discharge scores, but this was observational and not proven causal.
• Qualitative2026Facilitators and Barriers for a Stepped Care Approach to Promote Return to Work of Employees with Distress: A Multi-perspective Qualitative Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitationStakeholders were split on starting return-to-work support early: some valued structure, others wanted rest first. They saw psychological safety, an independent coordinator, and medication awareness as important, while digital skills and too many services were barriers.
• SLPRCT2026Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Vagus Nerve Promotes Poststroke Dysphagia Recovery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationAdding transcranial direct current stimulation to the vagus nerve to routine swallowing rehab improved swallowing scores more than sham stimulation. The extra stimulation group had less severe dysphagia and better functional communication after four weeks. This suggests targeting the peripheral nerve may help poststroke recovery.
• OTQualitative2026Workplace Programs to Reduce Post-traumatic Stress Injuries Work Disability: First Responder Experiences.Journal of occupational rehabilitationFirst responders in Alberta said workplace culture and trusted colleagues help them seek psychological injury support, but confusing programs, delays, stigma and fear of career harm still block access.
• PTOTQualitative2026Healthcare Professionals' Experiences with Vocational Rehabilitation for People with Inflammatory Arthritis.Journal of occupational rehabilitationClinicians struggle to support patients with inflammatory arthritis because patients often hide their diagnosis from employers to avoid stigma. Without disclosure, workplace adjustments and sick leave schemes cannot be activated, leaving patients to push through fatigue until they crash.