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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 9 OF 22 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCohort2021Positive Beliefs and the Likelihood of Successful Community Discharge From Skilled Nursing Facilities.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPatients who believed they could become more independent were 6.0% more likely to return home successfully than those who did not. Staff optimism only helped if the patient also believed. If patients were pessimistic, staff optimism was linked to lower discharge success.
• PTOTOther2021Subgroups of Long-Term Sick-Listed Based on Prognostic Return to Work Factors Across Diagnoses: A Cross-Sectional Latent Class Analysis.Journal of occupational rehabilitationLong-term sick-listed workers fell into four distinct groups based on return-to-work factors, not their medical diagnosis. One group had low symptoms and high work ability. Another had high anxiety and low self-efficacy. A third had poor scores across all areas. The fourth had pain and poor workplace adjustments.
• PTOTQualitative2021Exploring Cancer Treatment Experiences for Patients With Preexisting Mobility Disability.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationPatients with pre-existing mobility disability reported that prior negative healthcare experiences and fears of losing function drove them to refuse or alter cancer treatments. They also faced inaccessible equipment and staff who lacked disability-specific knowledge, leading to unmet basic needs.
• OTSurvey2021The Use and Perceived Usefulness of an Online Toolbox Targeted at Employers (MiLES Intervention) for Enhancing Successful Return to Work of Cancer Survivors.Journal of occupational rehabilitationEmployers of cancer survivors used a six-week online support tool mainly before work conversations. Most found it useful, practical and reassuring when uncertain. This describes their perceptions, not proof it improved return to work.
• OTQualitative2021How children and their parents value using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) with children themselves.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineChildren with a mental age of at least 8 years and their parents valued using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure to set goals. Children felt capable of rating their own performance and satisfaction. Parents prioritized the child's wishes over their own in most cases.
• PTOTOther2021A Descriptive Study of the Implementation of Remote Occupational Rehabilitation Services Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Within a Workers' Compensation Context.Journal of occupational rehabilitationRemote occupational rehabilitation proceeded with no reported adverse events, but clinicians made more cautious recommendations. Fewer workers were cleared for full pre-accident duties, and more received permanent restrictions. Service volumes dropped, and complex cases were largely excluded from remote assessment.
• PTOTRCT2020Effects of virtual reality training on occupational performance and self-efficacy of patients with stroke: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding 3 weeks of virtual reality training to standard care improved self-efficacy and daily living activities in stroke survivors, but did not improve occupational performance or upper limb function more than standard care alone.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Posthospital Brain Injury Rehabilitation Providers.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationSeven posthospital brain injury rehabilitation organizations adapted services with telehealth and strict safety protocols during the pandemic. Infection rates remained low among patients and staff, with zero deaths reported, though financial strain and service limitations were significant.
• PTOTCohort2021Impact of rehabilitation start time on functional outcomes after stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStarting stroke rehabilitation on day 1 or 2 was linked to better discharge outcomes than starting later. For haemorrhagic stroke specifically, starting on day 1 was worse than day 2. This is an observational association, not proof that timing causes the difference.
• PTOTCase-Control2021Mild Stroke Affects Pointing Movements Made in Different Frames of Reference.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairPeople with mild stroke could not keep their hand path steady when their trunk was unexpectedly blocked while reaching, in both body-centered and external space. Healthy adults adjusted instantly; stroke survivors diverged early. This points to a motor planning deficit missed by standard impairment scores.
• PTOTSLPCohortSuccessful Community Discharge Among Older Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury in Skilled Nursing Facilities.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationFor older adults with TBI in skilled nursing facilities, discharge home depends on function, not injury severity. Cognitive impairment, dependence in daily activities, incontinence, and dual Medicare/Medicaid enrollment predict failure to discharge home. Traditional injury scores like GCS do not.
• PTOTCase Report2020Twenty-four-hour ambulatory oximetry monitoring in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for assisting in the discharge instruction on activities of daily living: a case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceOne patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis desaturated during bathing without feeling short of breath. Specific movement and breathing instructions reduced the time his oxygen saturation stayed below 90% from 14.3% to 7.7%.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2020Effect of Early Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation for Trauma Patients: A Systematic Review.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationEarly interdisciplinary rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury showed no clear overall benefit. Some studies reported better function or cognition, but the review included only four low-quality studies and found no strong evidence.
• PTOTCohort2020Relation of chair rising ability to activities of daily living and physical activity in Parkinson's disease.Archives of physiotherapyParkinson's patients who need to push off the chair with their arms have significantly lower independence and physical activity than those who rise normally. This simple observation helps identify who needs extra support, though it reflects existing decline rather than predicting future loss.
• PTOTCohort2020Factors Associated With Prolonged Length of Stay and Failed Lower Limb Prosthetic Fitting During Inpatient Rehabilitation.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationDespite prescreening, 21.4% of amputees failed prosthetic fitting. Above-knee amputation and low initial function predicted longer stays. Dependence in dressing and unhealed skin predicted fitting failure. Age and sex did not predict outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Do Patients With COVID-19 Benefit from Rehabilitation? Functional Outcomes of the First 100 Patients in a COVID-19 Rehabilitation Unit.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPost-acute COVID patients in a specialized rehab unit improved motor function and independence during a 10-day stay. However, at discharge, their daily living skills remained lower than before infection, and grip strength stayed below normal values. Severe cases showed similar or greater functional gains.
• PTOTCohort2021Fatigue in relation to long-term participation outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage survivors.Journal of rehabilitation medicineFour years after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, fatigue severity was independently linked to worse functional performance and perceived participation problems, even after adjusting for depression. However, fatigue was not associated with community integration.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2021Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the recovery of people with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit: A narrative review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineNMES may slow muscle wasting and help wean ventilated patients, but evidence for building strength is mixed. It is safe for most ICU patients, including those with pacemakers, provided electrodes are placed carefully. Use it alongside active movement, not just as a passive substitute.
• OTRCT2021Explore combined use of transcranial direct current stimulation and cognitive training on executive function after stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdding real brain stimulation to cognitive training improved executive function and complex daily tasks in stroke patients more than sham stimulation. However, gains in some key cognitive tests did not reach the threshold for clinically meaningful change.
• PTOTRCT2021Comparing an eHealth Program (My Hip Journey) With Standard Care for Total Hip Arthroplasty: Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAdding My Hip Journey to standard care did not add benefit for hip function, quality of life, or self-efficacy at 6 weeks, 3 months, or 6 months. Standard care included a booklet, a preoperative session, and a phone call. Both groups improved after surgery.
• PTOTSurvey2021Long-term perceived disabilities up to 10 years after transient ischaemic attack.Journal of rehabilitation medicineMany TIA survivors reported ongoing difficulties up to 10 years later, especially emotions, strength and participation. Most lived independently, but women and older people reported more problems.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Persistent Symptoms and Disability After COVID-19 Hospitalization: Data From a Comprehensive Telerehabilitation Program.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationOne month after discharge, many older COVID-19 survivors reported persistent symptoms and disability. ICU patients had worse outcomes than ward patients, including higher rates of breathlessness, pain, and dependence in daily activities.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Rehabilitation to enable recovery from COVID-19: a rapid systematic review.PhysiotherapyRehabilitation for severe respiratory illness improves walking and muscle strength, but evidence for post-ICU recovery is weak. No studies exist for COVID-19 specifically, so generalising requires caution. Individualised programmes are valued by patients, though quality of life results remain inconclusive.
• PTOTPilot2021A 3-month multicomponent home-based rehabilitation program for older people with restricted life-space mobility: a pilot study.Journal of physical therapy scienceOlder adults with very restricted mobility improved their life-space score by 18.5 points after 3 months of home rehab. This gain exceeded the 10-point threshold considered clinically meaningful. However, the improvement came from moving with help, not independently.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2021Physical therapist-led swimming lessons for children with cerebral palsy: a report of 2 cases.Journal of physical therapy scienceTwo children with cerebral palsy improved swimming speed and distance after six monthly PT-led lessons. Gross motor function and daily living scores barely changed. Muscle tone increased slightly. The intervention was safe and well-liked, but too small to prove it works.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021mHealth Intervention Applications for Adults Living With the Effects of Stroke: A Scoping Review.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationMost stroke phone or tablet apps for adults are early-stage tools for hand, speech, exercise, and risk-factor management. They show feasibility or user interest, not proven effectiveness. Many studies had small samples and pilot designs.
• OTSLPOther2021How Well Does the Brief Interview for Mental Status Identify Risk for Cognition Mediated Functional Impairment in a Community Sample?Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationThe Brief Interview for Mental Status missed 95% of community adults with functional cognition impairment. It flagged only 4% of the sample, while the Mini-Cog, Menu Task, and MoCA identified far more. Do not rely on it to screen for daily living problems.
• PTOTQualitative2021Perspectives of individuals with chronic spinal cord injury following novel balance training involving functional electrical stimulation with visual feedback: a qualitative exploratory study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFive people with incomplete spinal cord injury described a balance program using electrical stimulation and visual feedback as helping them feel stronger and more stable. They reported doing more household tasks and going out in the community. They wanted more sessions to keep improving.
• PTOTOther2021Finger orthoses for management of joint hypermobility disorders: Relative effects on hand function and cognitive load.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalWomen with hypermobility disorders completed hand function tests significantly faster when wearing custom silver finger orthoses. However, brain activity measured during the tasks showed no consistent reduction in attentional demand, suggesting the orthoses helped speed but not necessarily mental effort.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Getting into a "Flow" state: a systematic review of flow experience in neurological diseases.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFlow questionnaires are used in neurorehabilitation, often during serious games, but none has been validated in neurological patients. Patients sometimes reported higher flow during game-based sessions, but the review did not show better function.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Self-reported handwashing and surface disinfection behaviors by U.S. adults with disabilities to prevent COVID-19, Spring 2020.Disability and health journalMost U.S. adults with disabilities reported frequent handwashing (91.3%) and surface disinfection (72.0%). Handwashing rates were significantly lower than in adults without disabilities (94.0%). Surface disinfection rates were similar between groups. Vision and independent living disabilities had the lowest adherence.
• OTSurvey2021Video Telehealth Occupational Therapy Services for Older Veterans: National Survey Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesMost surveyed VA occupational therapists had not used video telehealth with older veterans. Those who did reported better access to care but faced significant barriers like inadequate physical space. Clinician attitude was a stronger driver of use than institutional support.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Long-term employment status and the association with fatigue in patients with grade II glioma.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAmong glioma patients employed at diagnosis, those who did not return to work reported significantly higher physical and mental fatigue than those who did. Younger age, male sex and avoiding multiple anti-epileptic drugs were also linked to returning to work.
• PTOTSLPPilot2021Exergaming as a Functional Test Battery in Patients Who Received Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis: Cross-sectional Pilot Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAn exergaming test battery showed no significant difference in overall functional scores between patients who had ankle fusion surgery and healthy controls. The small pilot study suggests the method is feasible for tracking recovery but does not yet prove it detects deficits.
• PTOTOther2021Sound psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure Self-Report.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe Swedish Spinal Cord Independence Measure Self-Report reliably scores overall physical independence in community settings. It fails to group breathing, bladder, and bowel items into a single consistent score, so clinicians should interpret these subscale results with caution.
• PTOTRCT2021Feasibility and effectiveness of a novel dynamic arm support in persons with spinal muscular atrophy and duchenne muscular dystrophy.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSix people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy or spinal muscular atrophy tried a new arm support. It helped most perform upper limb tasks and reduced fatigue, but results varied greatly, especially for those with severe scoliosis.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2021Motor Dysfunction in REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: A Rehabilitation Framework for Prodromal Synucleinopathy.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairPeople with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder often show subtle motor signs years before a Parkinson's diagnosis. The authors propose a framework for early exercise and rehabilitation, but note there are no trials proving these interventions prevent or slow the disease.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Predictors of mental health among parents of children with cerebral palsy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran: A web-based cross-sectional study.Research in developmental disabilitiesCaregiver burden predicted anxiety, depression, and stress more strongly than income or education. About half of parents reported anxiety symptoms. For therapists, this means assessing and reducing the daily load of care, not just the child's function, is central to supporting the family.
• OTOther2020Development of Learning Media for the Elderly to Promote Child Health in the Community.Occupational therapy internationalGrandparents caring for young children most often needed help with daily self-care. A web-based media package for brushing, eating, dressing, bathing, and toileting was rated easy to use in a trial of 58 users, but no child outcomes were tested.
• PTOTQualitative2020Clinical Utility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure in Older Adult Rehabilitation and Nursing Homes: Perceptions among Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists in Spain.Occupational therapy internationalSpanish therapists reported older clients felt heard and more involved when COPM goals were set with them. Many clients struggled naming priorities and rating performance versus satisfaction, and time or institutional constraints limited routine use.
• PTOTCohort2021Correlates of improvement in the care need levels of older adults with disabilities: a two-year follow-up study.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn older adults using day-care services, better baseline cognitive, self-care, bladder and bowel control, and social-cognition scores were linked to improved care need levels over two years. Walking and strength tests did not differ between groups.
• PTOTCase Report2021Gait training using a hybrid assistive limb after botulinum toxin treatment for cerebral palsy: a case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceA single case report describes a man with cerebral palsy who received botulinum toxin injections followed by robot-assisted gait training. Walking speed, endurance, and gross motor function improved and were maintained for three months. This describes one person's outcome, not a proven treatment.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Predictors of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Performance in Patients with Stroke.Occupational therapy internationalFor stroke survivors, how independent they are in basic self-care tasks was the strongest predictor of their ability to manage complex daily activities like shopping or finances. Older age, poorer executive function, and higher depression scores also predicted worse performance.
• OTOther2021Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Scale A-ONE: An Italian Cross-Sectional Study.Occupational therapy internationalIn 70 Italian adults with brain disorders, A-ONE daily-living scores were stable when rated by trained occupational therapists and matched Barthel scores except communication. The communication domain tracked Barthel scores poorly, so it can support OT assessment, not prove treatment works.
• OTSLPSurvey2021Needs assessment in unmet healthcare and family support services: A survey of caregivers of children and youth with autism spectrum disorder in Delaware.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchCaregivers of 263 children and youth with autism reported unmet needs for speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, social skills, and family support, especially provider shortages and access barriers.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Leisure and Productivity in Older Adults with Cancer: A Systematic Review.Occupational therapy internationalCancer limits social leisure and physical activity in older adults, with 14% to 18% reporting social restrictions. Patients often abandon valued tasks for low-demand activities. Evidence for occupational therapy interventions is sparse, relying mostly on case reports rather than trials.
• PTOTCohort2021Differences in physical function across cancer recovery phases: Findings from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey.The British journal of occupational therapyRecent cancer survivors reported significantly more difficulty with high-level tasks like standing for two hours, walking a quarter-mile, and working than those two or more years post-diagnosis. Basic daily activities like eating and bathing showed no difference. Screening should prioritize mobility and work capacity early in recovery.
• PTOTOther2021Reliable and valid robot-assisted assessments of hand proprioceptive, motor and sensorimotor impairments after stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA robotic test of the index finger reliably separates stroke patients from healthy controls and correlates with standard clinical scores. It takes about 14 minutes per hand and can distinguish motor from sensory impairments, offering a detailed profile of hand deficits.
• OTCohort2021Mealtime behaviours of young children with sensory food aversions: An observational study.Australian occupational therapy journalMealtimes averaged 17.5 minutes in 21 children with sensory food aversions. They accepted 18.2 preferred bites and 1.5 targeted bites. Longer mealtimes and licking were linked to targeted food acceptance; caregiver strategies were not.
• PTOTQualitative2021Beneficial and limiting factors in return to work after primary total knee replacement: Patients' perspective.Work (Reading, Mass.)Patients identified four themes influencing return to work: rehabilitation, patient factors, occupational factors, and medical support. Physical therapists who coached gently and set realistic expectations were most helpful. Patients needed control over their work pace and felt surgeons often lacked knowledge of their specific job demands.