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Adult rehabilitation research

Everything we have read on adult rehabilitation. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

1,091 PAPERS · PAGE 14 OF 22 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPRCT2023Outcomes of an interdisciplinary return to work intervention including occupational therapy for mood and adjustment disorders: A single-arm clinical trial.Work (Reading, Mass.)Thirty people with mood or adjustment disorders completed a three-month interdisciplinary return-to-work program led by occupational therapists. Full-time return rates rose from 6.7% at three months to 82.6% at two years, alongside improved readiness and function.
• OTCohort2022Linking Prioritized Occupational Performance in Patients Undergoing Spasticity-Correcting Upper Limb Surgery to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.Occupational therapy internationalPatients undergoing spasticity surgery prioritized self-care, domestic life, and mobility goals. Their perceived performance and satisfaction improved significantly at 12 months. However, these subjective gains did not correlate with objective improvements in grip strength or grasp ability.
• OTCohort2023A retrospective study on return to living alone of stroke patients who were living alone before stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceStroke patients who lived alone before onset were more likely to return home when functional score (FIM) at discharge was 91 or higher and social score was low. Social problems lowered return rates even when ADL scores were high.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Executive function improvement in response to meta-cognitive training in chronic mTBI / PTSD.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesVeterans with mild TBI and PTSD who received Goal Management Training plus a smartphone app for home practice showed significant improvements in executive function and life role participation. This uncontrolled pilot suggests the combined approach aids transfer of skills to daily life.
• OTCohort2023Impact of COVID-19 on employment: sociodemographic, medical, psychiatric and neuropsychological correlates.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeople with long COVID who took extra time off work had more severe symptoms, fatigue, mood problems and lower cognitive test scores. Those who felt work performance suffered reported fatigue and executive difficulty despite similar cognitive test scores.
• PTOTSLPPilot2022Development of a new scale for the measurement of interprofessional collaboration among occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech-language therapists.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTA new 28-item scale measures collaboration among OTs, PTs and SLPs in Japanese rehab wards. It checks team behaviour, opinion exchange, flexibility, sharing patient context, and coordinating support. Scores were similar across professions, suggesting it is a common tool for all three.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Exploring community reintegration among Nigerian stroke survivors.The South African journal of physiotherapyTwelve Nigerian stroke survivors described how mobility and communication barriers stopped them working, cooking or socialising. Those who returned to roles relied on family support and a positive mindset. This reports their lived experience, not evidence that any specific intervention improves reintegration.
• OTOther2022Development and Verification of Postural Control Assessment Using Deep-Learning-Based Pose Estimators: Towards Clinical Applications.Occupational therapy internationalMediaPipe Pose offers the best balance of speed and accuracy for assessing postural control from video. Two calculated indices, SPB1 and AG2, better predict therapists' clinical judgments than simply timing how long a child holds a posture, especially when duration scores hit the 60-second ceiling.
• PTOTOther2023Baseline Range of Motion, Strength, Motor Function, and Participation in Youth with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsYouth with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome have universal joint stiffness and reduced grip strength compared to same-age peers. However, strength matches their height, not their age. Walking endurance is the main activity limit, while balance remains largely intact.
• OTPilot2023Feasibility of force myography for the direct control of an assistive robotic hand orthosis in non-impaired individuals.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn 10 healthy men, a forearm force sensor band classified intended open or close commands while a robotic hand orthosis was worn, reaching 92.9% correct offline. Only 6 reached 90% for both commands, and no impaired users were tested.
• OTRCT2023The NuroSleeve, a user-centered 3D printed hybrid orthosis for individuals with upper extremity impairment.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFive stroke survivors used a custom 3D-printed sleeve with electrical stimulation for eight weeks. Most reported clinically meaningful improvements in daily tasks when wearing the device. This is a small feasibility study, not proof of efficacy.
• OTOther2023A Clinically Significant Difference on the COPM: A Review.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieThe common rule that a 2-point COPM change is clinically important lacks research evidence. Client self-report of meaningful functional gain should be used instead of assuming a 2-point change matters.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Workplace factors that promote and hinder work ability and return to work among individuals with long-term effects of COVID-19: A qualitative study.Work (Reading, Mass.)Workers with long-term effects of COVID-19 described flexible hours, adjusted tasks, and supportive managers as essential for staying in work. They also highlighted that colleagues silently watching out for them helped, while a lack of understanding about their fluctuating energy levels made return to work difficult.
• OTOther2023Development and psychometric evaluation of a theory-based questionnaire measuring women's return-to-work beliefs after long-term sick leave for common mental disorders.Work (Reading, Mass.)A new 60-item questionnaire measuring return-to-work beliefs in women with mental health disorders shows promise but has reliability gaps. The intention and attitude scales are solid, but scales for social pressure and personal control are weak. Do not use the full tool clinically yet.
• PTOTRCT2023sEMG-controlled forearm bracelet and serious game-based rehabilitation for training manual dexterity in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFor people with MS, adding MYO Armband games to conventional physical therapy did not improve the main gross manual dexterity outcome. Some wrist motion and grip strength differences appeared, but the Armband's separate effect cannot be separated.
• OTPilot2023A Telehealth Delivered Toilet Training Intervention for Children with Autism.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthFamilies completing all telehealth coaching by an occupational therapist, email check-ins, and online education reported child toileting gains. The intervention was rated acceptable, but no control group means cause cannot be confirmed.
• PTOTSLPRCT2023Effect of very early supported discharge versus usual care on activi-ties of daily living ability after mild stroke: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineVery early supported discharge sped up recovery of complex daily tasks like shopping and transport. By three months, home-based teams helped patients with mild stroke do these tasks better than usual care, but the groups were equal by one year.
• OTOther2023Refining the psychometric properties of the Trinity Student Occupational Performance Profile - A self-report measure of occupational performance difficulties within the student role.The British journal of occupational therapyThe refined Trinity Student Occupational Performance Profile is a 54-item self-report measure for university students. It reliably identifies specific occupational difficulties, helping therapists target interventions on high-demand areas like managing anxiety and time pressures.
• OTCohort2023Quality of life, sense of coherence and occupational balance one year after an occupational therapy intervention for people with depression and anxiety disorders.Work (Reading, Mass.)People with depression and anxiety who kept working or returned to work improved their quality of life, while those on continuous sick leave did not. All groups showed some gains in occupational balance, but small sample sizes mean these patterns are tentative.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Goal-setting and personalization under the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health framework: Community reintegration program for post-stroke patients.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPost-stroke patients shifted from setting vague goals like 'walking better' to specific, environment-based goals like 'using the subway' after goal-setting with therapists. This suggests that prompting patients to describe their real-life contexts early in rehab helps them define more meaningful and achievable targets for community reintegration.
• PTOTCohort2023Physical Activity in Youth with Down Syndrome and Its Relationship with Adiposity.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPYouth with Down syndrome spent more time in light activity and less time sedentary than matched controls, but showed similar rates of meeting moderate-to-vigorous activity guidelines. Light activity was strongly linked to lower body fat in both groups, suggesting daily movement matters as much as exercise.
• OTCase Report2023Cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) approach as telehealth for a child with developmental coordination disorder: a case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAn eight-year-old boy with developmental coordination disorder improved his handwriting, cycling, and playground skills after ten weekly telehealth sessions. The therapist coached him to discover strategies via video, while his mother filmed homework practice for review.
• OTPilot2023Student-led occupational performance coaching in a university setting.The British journal of occupational therapyClient-rated goals improved, but mental health results were mixed. Depression and anxiety improved, while stress change was uncertain.
• OTQualitative2023Tailored support for preparing employees with cancer to return to work: Recognition and gaining new insights in an open atmosphere.Work (Reading, Mass.)Employees with cancer valued tailored return-to-work support for feeling seen, heard and safe. They said they felt strengthened, regained confidence and planned return. Professionals also valued it, but adapted it heavily and found it time-consuming.
• PTOTOther2023Investigating Subtypes of Motor Skills and Activities of Daily Living among Young Children with Motor Delay.Occupational therapy internationalChildren with motor delay fell into three groups based on fine and gross motor skills. The group with poor skills in both areas dressed significantly worse than the group with relatively good motor function. No differences appeared in eating or toileting, suggesting daily activity assessments may miss quality issues.
• OTSurvey2023Which Occupations Did People Engage in during Lockdown? A European Cross-Sectional Descriptive Survey by Generation.Occupational therapy internationalDuring lockdown, adults across Europe mostly increased leisure activities like reading and crafts, followed by household tasks. Older adults preferred doing more of what they already knew, while younger adults tried new things. Satisfaction and performance scores rose for most people.
• OTSystematic Review2023Cognitive stimulation and activities of daily living for individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia: A scoping review.The British journal of occupational therapyCognitive stimulation did not consistently improve daily activities in mild-to-moderate dementia. Standard group programmes mostly showed no ADL benefit. Multi-component programmes that trained daily tasks looked more promising, but were intensive and often residential.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Technology for activity participation in older people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia: expert perspectives and a scoping review.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyDigital health tools for older adults with dementia mostly support daily tasks and social connection, but rarely address leisure, sleep, or work. Experts warn that poor design and lack of tailored training limit uptake, especially for those with less tech experience.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Using Billing Codes to Create a Pediatric Functional Status e-Score for Children Receiving Inpatient Rehabilitation.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost of the top billing codes ranked by their relationship to discharge WeeFIM mobility, self-care, and cognition/communication scores were also chosen by expert clinicians. This is a first-step score model, not a validated clinical tool.
• OTPilot2024A Decision Aid to Support Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals Offering Tailored Care to Benefit Recipients with a Long-Term Work Disability: A Feasibility Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitationVocational rehabilitation professionals found a new decision aid helpful for spotting return-to-work barriers, with all ten agreeing it improved this step. However, it did not help them choose suitable interventions, with six of ten neutral on this. The tool is feasible for assessment but not yet for prescribing care.
• OTOther2023Measuring Resilience in Long-term Sick-listed Individuals: Validation of the Resilience Scale for Adults.Journal of occupational rehabilitationThe Resilience Scale for Adults works in long-term sick-listed workers, but only if one item is moved to the family cohesion subscale. Scores cannot be directly compared to students because sick-listed individuals interpret some items differently.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023A systematic review examining the effect of vitamin D supplementation on functional outcomes post-stroke.Clinical rehabilitationVitamin D after stroke showed mixed functional effects: some studies reported better balance, walking, daily living or impairment scores, but others did not. The studies were small and inconsistent, so no reliable clinical conclusion can be drawn.
• OTSurvey2023Return to Work Experiences of Ontario Public Safety Personnel with Work-Related Psychological Injuries.Journal of occupational rehabilitationOntario public safety personnel with psychological injury claims described stigma, confusing compensation systems and unsupportive employers as major barriers. They valued occupational therapy when it was practical, community based and linked to coping and return to work.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Iterative Development of the Caregiver Wellness After Traumatic Brain Injury Program (CG-Well).The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationCaregivers of adults with severe traumatic brain injury rated a new web-based support program as highly acceptable and feasible. Feedback focused on health literacy and delivery preferences. The program is ready for efficacy testing but does not yet prove clinical benefit.
• PTOTSLPOther2024A Descriptive Analysis of Access to Assistive Technology in Children With Acquired Brain Injury: The Right to Assistive Devices.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationOnly 55% of prescribed assistive devices reached patients, with an average delay of 69.4 days. Insurance barriers caused most non-deliveries. Clinicians should anticipate significant delays and actively track device status rather than assuming prescriptions are fulfilled.
• OTCohort2023Who Returns to work? Exploring the Role of Interpersonal Problems in Occupational Rehabilitation.Journal of occupational rehabilitationHostile and dominant interpersonal traits predicted a lower chance of returning to work after rehabilitation, but overall interpersonal problems did not. A one-point higher score on this specific trait was associated with a 56% lower chance of returning to work.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2023Physical functioning factors predicting a return home after stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clinical rehabilitationHigher independence in motor daily living tasks strongly predicts stroke discharge home. Quick checks like rolling, sitting, standing, transferring, and walking 10m are useful initial indicators. Thresholds of 20 on the Berg Balance Scale and 26 on motor Functional Independence Measure at admission help distinguish patients likely to return home.
• PTOTPilot2023The impact of shoulder pathologies on job discontinuation and return to work: a pilot ultrasonographic investigation.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineShoulder surgery and jobs requiring forceful arm movement were linked to taking leave, while full-thickness supraspinatus tears were also associated with job discontinuation. However, ultrasound findings did not predict return to work; pain and disability scores were the borderline factors.
• PTOTOther2023Validating the measurement of upper limb sensorimotor behavior utilizing a tablet in neurologically intact controls and individuals with chronic stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA tablet reaching test produced largely similar movement scores to a robot test in controls and chronic stroke, and some tablet scores related to Fugl-Meyer scores. It is a measurement tool, not a treatment.
• PTOTCase Series2023A bidirectional fabric-based soft robotic glove for hand function assistance in patients with chronic stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn eight chronic stroke patients, hand task scores were higher with the soft robotic glove module and thumb splint than unassisted in one session. Grip strength did not change.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Assessment of activities and participation of people by rehabilitation-focused clinical registries: a systematic scoping review.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineMost rehabilitation registries track mobility and basic self-care but miss broader life participation. Clinicians should not assume registry data capture a patient’s full functional picture, especially regarding advanced daily activities and social roles.
• PTOTOther2023The BE-UJI hand function activity set: a reduced set of activities for the evaluation of the healthy and pathological hand.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA 10-task hand assessment set was found to capture similar hand movement patterns as the full 20-task Sollerman test. It could potentially halve testing time for clinicians monitoring hand kinematics in healthy people and those with hand arthritis.
• PTOTCohort2023Predictive factors for home discharge after femoral fracture surgery: a prospective cohort study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineFemale sex, higher preoperative cognition, more physiotherapy sessions, higher exercise self-efficacy, and caregiver availability predicted home discharge after hip fracture surgery. These factors identified patients likely to return home versus needing institutional care.
• PTOTCase Series2023Stabilizing leaning postures with feedback controlled functional neuromuscular stimulation after trunk paralysis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn three people with spinal cord injury, a feedback-controlled implanted stimulator held forward leaning postures and increased forward reach by 10.2, 46.7, and 16 cm compared with no stimulation. Lateral reaches did not improve.
• OTSLPOther2024Exploring Work Absences and Return to Work During Social Transition and Following Gender-Affirming Care, a Mixed-Methods Approach: 'Bridging Support Actors Through Literacy'.Journal of occupational rehabilitationMost transgender and gender diverse people in Belgium returned to work after gender-affirming care, with 90.2% resuming employment. However, they faced significant gaps in navigating occupational health services and social insurance, leading to high stress and poor support experiences.
• PTOTCohort2024Reliability and validity of the Greek adaptation of the Modified Barthel Index in neurorehabilitation patients.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineThe Greek Modified Barthel Index was stable and matched other daily function scores well in stroke and spinal cord injury rehab, but it did not fit as a single score. Use transfers and daily activities plus mobility separately.
• PTOTSLPPilot2023Feasibility, safety, and efficacy of task-oriented mirrored robotic training on upper-limb functions and activities of daily living in subacute poststroke patients: a pilot study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAdding 30 minutes of mirrored robotic training to usual care improved arm function and daily living scores more than usual care alone in 32 subacute stroke patients. The study was a small pilot with no randomisation, so treat these gains as preliminary rather than proven.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Predicting the functional outcome of intensive inpatient rehabilitation after stroke: results from the RIPS Study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAdmission scores on six items predict discharge function after stroke rehab. Younger age, higher independence, fewer comorbidities, better cognition, lower stroke severity, and higher motor function at admission linked to better discharge outcomes.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Impact of Prescription Medicines on Work-Related Outcomes in Workers with Musculoskeletal Disorders or Injuries: A Systematic Scoping Review.Journal of occupational rehabilitationEarly, long-term, or high-dose opioid use is consistently linked to slower return to work and longer disability in injured workers. Evidence for non-opioid medicines like NSAIDs and muscle relaxants is conflicting, with some studies suggesting they may also delay recovery.
• PTOTPilot2024Neurophysiological underpinnings of an intensive protocol for upper limb motor recovery in subacute and chronic stroke patients.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineTwo weeks of robotic arm training improved clinical scores in both subacute and chronic stroke patients. Subacute patients also showed smoother, faster movement and specific brain-wave changes, suggesting true motor recovery. Chronic patients improved clinically but without these kinematic or neural markers.