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Geriatrics research

Everything we have read on geriatrics. 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.

1,154 PAPERS · PAGE 17 OF 24 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTCohort2023An Initial Assessment of the Decline With Age for the 6-minute Walk Test (6MWT) in Chinese Older Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn 525 Chinese older adults with COPD, six-minute walk distance dropped sharply as disease severity increased and with advancing age. Mean distance fell from 317 meters in mild disease to 168 meters in very severe disease, with further decline after age 70.
• OTOther2023Assessing time processing ability and daily time management in persons with dementia: Psychometric properties of three instruments.Australian occupational therapy journalAfter revision, the dementia time-management assessments mostly captured a single area. The self-rating form still needs clearer answer options. The objective test needs harder items for people whose problems are very mild.
• OTCohort2022Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in Preclinical Alzheimer Disease.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthIn cognitively normal older adults, a performance-based IADL test did not separate those with and without preclinical AD. It showed wider score spread than a proxy questionnaire, and poorer checkbook and medication tasks were associated with brain volume and network connection measures.
• OTQualitative2023Occupational therapy practice with terminally ill Chinese older adults in Singapore: A qualitative exploratory study.Australian occupational therapy journalIn Singapore palliative care, occupational therapists described Chinese older adults often preferring family care over independence, deferring choices to family, valuing contribution and rest, and seeing presence as more meaningful than active doing.
• PTOTCohort2023Relationship between toe grip strength and dynamic balance in older adult patients with femoral neck fracture.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 15 older adults recovering from hip fracture, stronger toe grip was linked to better balance scores and a larger forward-backward sway range. There was no difference in toe strength between the operated and non-operated legs.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of US community-dwelling older adults with communication disabilities, using the national health and aging trends survey.Journal of communication disordersAbout one in four community-dwelling US adults over 65 has a communication disability. These individuals are more likely to be male, Black or Hispanic, have lower education and income, and have very small social networks compared to peers without disabilities.
• PTOTPilot2023Association between upper limb movements during drumming and cognition in older adults with cognitive impairment and dementia at a nursing home: a pilot study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn 16 older adults with dementia, the height their arm reached while drumming correlated with both handgrip strength and MMSE scores. This suggests arm elevation during drumming may help assess motor function and cognitive status when standard tests are difficult.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022What are the common areas of risk and their characteristics found in intermediate care from an occupational therapy perspective? A scoping review.The British journal of occupational therapyFalls, discharge planning, and practice errors were the most common risk areas for occupational therapists in intermediate care. The review found no evidence on how therapists explicitly assess the severity or likelihood of these risks.
• OTOther2022Partnering with people living with dementia and care partners in technology research and design: Reflections and recommendations.Australian occupational therapy journalA small research team reflected on partnering with people living with dementia to design technology. They recommend agreeing on the value of lived experience, engaging partners from the start, asking rather than assuming how to work, and challenging rigid research and design cultures.
• PTOTCohort2023Relationships between physical, cognitive, and social frailty and locomotive and non-locomotive physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity.Journal of physical therapy scienceOnly physical frailty linked to low steps and walking intensity. Cognitive and social frailty showed no such link. Use walking data for physical risk, but look elsewhere for mental or social decline.
• PTOTQualitative2023Systems modelling as an approach for eliciting the mechanisms for hip fracture recovery among older adults in a participatory stakeholder engagement setting.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesStakeholders identified fragmented information and overprotective caregivers as key barriers to hip fracture recovery. They proposed coordinated communication, patient education on subsidies, and group therapy to build resilience and improve rehabilitation uptake.
• PTOTQualitative2023Perspectives of Rehabilitation Professionals on Implementing a Validated Home Telerehabilitation Intervention for Older Adults in Geriatric Rehabilitation: Multisite Focus Group Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesTherapists valued sensor monitoring for spotting activity drops after discharge but struggled to use it with patients who have cognitive impairment or live alone. They identified a lack of time to review data and insufficient training as key barriers to routine implementation.
• OTQualitative2023Barriers and enablers to the delivery and implementation of the tailored activity programme in Australia: Perspectives of occupational therapists and their managers.Australian occupational therapy journalOccupational therapists and managers in Queensland saw the tailored activity programme as core to their role but flagged three major hurdles: fitting 7-8 home visits into busy caseloads, securing funding within existing models, and gauging whether carers have the time and emotional capacity to commit to the intervention.
• PTOTCohort2023Balance assessment in selected stages of Parkinson's disease using trend change analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA new balance metric called the Trend Change Index (TCI) successfully distinguished Parkinson's patients from healthy controls in both early and later stages. Unlike standard speed measurements, this metric detected balance differences in Stage II patients who otherwise looked normal on traditional tests.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Gender-specific factors associated with the Japanese version of the trail making test among Japanese workers.Journal of physical therapy scienceWorkers with metabolic syndrome risk factors took longer to complete a cognitive flexibility test. Low muscle mass and lower-body strength also predicted slower test times in men, but not in women. These physical markers may help identify cognitive decline risk in the workplace.
• OTOther2023Enhancing Telehealth Competency: Development and Evaluation of Education Modules for Older Adults.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthOlder adults who completed custom telehealth training modules reported feeling more competent and confident using video visits. The study measured self-perception, not actual skill, so results indicate increased confidence rather than proven ability.
• PTOTCase-Control2023Characteristics of falls and their fear in older adults requiring long-term care.Journal of physical therapy scienceOlder adults in daycare who had fallen showed less confidence crossing streets and performing daily tasks than non-fallers. Low confidence in crossing the street was specifically linked to a history of falls, suggesting outdoor mobility anxiety is a key marker in this group.
• OTOther2023Evaluation and Analysis of Elderly Mental Health Based on Artificial Intelligence.Occupational therapy internationalCommunity-dwelling older adults with depression showed lower symptom scores after three months of comprehensive psychological intervention combined with health education compared to health education alone. The study also identified risk factors for depression, including living alone and physical illness.
• OTSurvey2023Investigating the effect strength of positive risk-taking barriers on discharge decisions in occupational therapy intermediate care: A factorial survey.The British journal of occupational therapyOccupational therapists were less likely to recommend home discharge when they perceived limited patient capacity or lack of family support. Experienced therapists recommended discharge more often than novices. Blame culture only reduced discharge recommendations for semi-experts, not novices or experts.
• PTOTCohort2022Validity and feasibility of using a seated push-up test among community-dwelling older adults.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoA seated push-up test successfully identified lower body strength and mobility in older adults. Passing the test required lifting 85% of bodyweight. The 1-minute version detected further differences in strength and endurance among those who passed the initial test.
• PTOTOther2023Telehealth Delivery of Evidence-Based Intervention Within Older Adult Populations: A Scoping Review.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthTelehealth delivery of evidence-based occupational therapy for older adults is feasible and often preferred by clients, but it does not consistently outperform in-person care. Success depends on adapting activities for the screen and ensuring clients have reliable technology access and support.
• PTOTRCT2022Use of mobile app to enhance functional outcomes and adherence of home-based rehabilitation program for elderly with hip fracture: A randomized controlled trial.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoA mobile app improved exercise adherence in the first month, but did not lead to better walking, mobility, or function than paper handouts at two months. The study was underpowered due to dropouts, so the lack of functional difference is uncertain.
• OTPilot2023The smart-home study: A feasibility study to pilot the use of smartphone technology to identify environmental falls risk factors in the home.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTHealthy adults could follow photo guidelines, but only 10 of 49 submitted images were usable. Therapists agreed on risks in the few good photos, but found they could not assess key hazards like furniture stability or spatial width remotely.
• OTSurvey2023Sexuality and ageing: A mixed methods explorative study of older adult's experiences, attitudes, and support needs.The British journal of occupational therapyMany older adults rated being a sexual person important, defined sexuality through pleasure, relationships and intimacy, and said clinicians rarely raised it. They asked for open conversations, online resources and age-specific services.
• OTPilot2023A Semantic-Based Cognitive Training Programme on Everyday Activities: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study among Cognitively Healthy Older Adults.Occupational therapy internationalNine healthy older adults found a nine-week app-based memory programme feasible and acceptable. They rated the therapist-led sessions as highly effective but were less convinced by the self-administered iPad sessions. This was a feasibility test, not a trial of whether the programme improves memory.
• 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.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Differences in Risk of Alzheimer's Disease Following Later-Life Traumatic Brain Injury in Veteran and Civilian Populations.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationTraumatic brain injury after age 68 strongly increased the risk of Alzheimer's diagnosis, but this risk dropped significantly with each passing year. The elevated danger appeared to fade roughly five years after the injury, suggesting the link is short-term rather than permanent.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Neck Symptoms and Associated Clinical Outcomes in Patients Following Concussion.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationPatients with more severe neck symptoms after concussion took longer to recover, averaging 40 days versus 30 days. Neck pain was reported by nearly half of all patients, with higher rates in non-sports injuries like falls and motor vehicle accidents compared to sports-related concussions.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Referent Values for Commonly Used Clinical Mobility Tests in Black and White Adults Aged 50-95 Years.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMobility tests show significant performance declines starting in the 80s for Black and White adults in the Southeastern US. Use these race and sex-specific reference values to identify fall risk, but note the cohort was highly educated and may perform better than your patients.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Associations of Prior Head Injury With Mild Behavioral Impairment Domains.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationMultiple prior head injuries are associated with higher rates of impulse dyscontrol and affective dysregulation in older adults. These behavioral symptoms appeared decades after the injury. Single injuries showed no such association. Screen for mood and behavioral changes in patients with a history of repeated head trauma.
• PTOTCohort2023ICF framework in cardiac rehabilitation: a real-life implementation in post-cardiac surgery and chronic heart failure patients.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineCardiac rehabilitation improved functioning in both post-surgery and chronic heart failure patients, but those with heart failure started with worse body function impairments and made smaller gains than surgery patients. High comorbidity complexity predicted poorer outcomes at discharge.
• PTOTSurvey2024Validating a fear-of-falling-related activity avoidance scale in lower limb prosthesis users.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationThe mSAFE appeared usable to measure how much lower-limb prosthesis users avoid activities because of fear of falling. A 6-item version may also work. The evidence comes from 59 people who could walk in the community.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Construct validity, responsiveness, and interpretability of the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation (USER) in patients admitted to inpatient geriatric rehabilitation.Clinical rehabilitationThe Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation (USER) is a valid observational tool for older adults in inpatient geriatric care. It detects meaningful physical improvement at 14.5 points and screens cognitive function without burdening patients with interviews.
• PTOTQualitative2024Physical rehabilitation for people with advanced dementia who fracture their hip - expert consensus process.Disability and rehabilitationExperts agreed that rehab for advanced dementia after hip fracture is less about exercise and more about setting the scene. They prioritized managing pain, nutrition, and hydration, plus ensuring safety and comfort, before attempting any physical movement.
• PTOTOther2023Going beyond PA: Assessing sensorimotor capacity with wearables in multiple sclerosis-a cross-sectional study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSmartwatch data from 90 people with MS linked movement patterns to clinical severity, but not reliably to specific upper-limb skills. One metric tracked grip strength independently of disability scores, while others mixed activity volume with ability.
• 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.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Gait analysis comparison between manual marking, 2D pose estimation algorithms, and 3D marker-based system.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOpenPose tracked knee angles accurately but failed at the ankle. Kinovea was consistent but slow and biased. MediaPipe was too inaccurate for gait analysis. No tool replaced the 3D marker system, though OpenPose is a promising, faster alternative for knee motion.
• PTOTOther2024Circumstances of falls among older adult walker users in long-term care and the associated walker design deficits.Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNASideways falls with two-wheeled walkers happened while turning. Backward falls with rollators happened during transfers when brakes failed to stop rolling. Design fixes for lateral stability and easier braking are needed to prevent these injuries.
• PTOTCohort2024Defining Clinically Meaningful Cut Points for Leg Power Impairment Using Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Secondary Analysis From Boston RISE.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationSex-specific leg power thresholds identified: 3.07 Watts/kg for men and 2.59 Watts/kg for women. Falling below these values on the Stair Climb Power Test strongly associates with mobility limitation. These cut points help clinicians identify older adults at high risk for adverse health outcomes.
• PTOTOther2024Disparities in Access to Spasticity Chemodenervation Specialists in the United States: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationMedicare beneficiaries in nonurban areas and communities with large Hispanic populations face greater difficulty accessing spasticity chemodenervation specialists. Urban areas had significantly fewer beneficiaries per provider, while regions with at least 25% Hispanic beneficiaries had significantly more beneficiaries per provider.
• PTOTPilot2023Mixed methods usability evaluation of an assistive wearable robotic hand orthosis for people with spinal cord injury.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFive people with spinal cord injury tried a wearable robotic hand for grasping. Four improved their hand function scores, but one got worse because the device blocked their existing tenodesis grasp. Donning took almost five minutes and required assistance, which users disliked.
• PTOTCohort2024Comparison of Upper Extremity Function and Daily Use in Individuals with and without Post Stroke Depression.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairDepression did not affect arm function during early rehabilitation but was linked to significantly worse arm use and independence at six months. Clinicians should monitor mood closely when patients transition home, as depression may hinder the carryover of therapy gains to daily life.
• PTOTSLPPilot2023Older Adults' Engagement and Mood During Robot-Assisted Group Activities in Nursing Homes: Development and Observational Pilot Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesIn a pilot study, older adults in nursing homes showed high engagement and positive mood during robot-led group activities. Staff noted the robot allowed them more time for individual care, but this does not prove the robot improves health outcomes.
• PTOTPilot2024Optimizing exoskeleton assistance to improve walking speed and energy economy for older adults.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTen healthy older adults walked faster and used less energy with personalized ankle exoskeleton assistance. The speed increase met clinical thresholds for meaningful change. However, participants required extensive training to adapt, and the device was tethered to a lab computer.
• PTOTOther2023Prediction of Discharge Destination After Inpatient Rehabilitation for Stroke Using Mobility and Self-Care Assessment in Section GG of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility - Patient Assessment Instrument.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationFor stroke patients leaving inpatient rehab, having a caregiver at home was the strongest predictor of going home rather than to a skilled nursing facility. Admission Section GG scores above 33.5 predicted discharge to home with homecare, and scores above 36.5 predicted home with outpatient therapy.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2024Association between fear of falling and falls following acute and chronic stroke: a systematic review with meta-analysis.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePeople with acute stroke who answer yes to "are you afraid of falling?" have a higher risk of falls. In chronic stroke, a simple yes/no question misses the link, so use a confidence scale like the FES or ABC to spot the risk.
• PTOTCohort2023Comparison of usefulness between the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and the Berg Balance Scale for measuring balance in patients with subacute stroke: a prospective cohort study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThe Mini-BESTest detects balance changes during subacute stroke rehab better than the Berg Balance Scale. The Berg scores hit a ceiling for 43% of patients at discharge, hiding further improvement. The Mini-BESTest avoided this, making it more useful for tracking progress in higher-functioning patients.
• PTOTPilot2024Reminiscent music therapy combined with robot-assisted rehabilitation for elderly stroke patients: a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding reminiscent music to robot therapy improved self-efficacy and positive emotions more than robot therapy or usual care alone. However, the primary outcome of daily living activities showed no significant difference between the three groups. All groups improved from their own baselines.