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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 20 OF 24 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPOther2025Emergency department utilization by spina bifida patients in Florida 2016-2020.Journal of rehabilitation medicineYoung adults with spina bifida in Florida used the emergency department most, especially those aged 20 to 29. Common reasons included infections, seizures, and bowel issues. These presentations suggest gaps in routine outpatient care during the transition from paediatric to adult services.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Cognitive Changes Up to 4 Years After Cochlear Implantation in Older Adults: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Using the RBANS-H.Ear and hearingCognitive scores improved significantly one year after cochlear implantation but returned to baseline levels by four years. Quality of life and hearing gains persisted longer. Without a control group, practice effects from repeated testing may explain the early cognitive rise, so do not assume the implant caused lasting cognitive improvement.
• PTOTOther2024Relationships between life-space mobility, physical function, and empowerment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Journal of physical therapy scienceLife-space mobility was not related to empowerment scores in stable outpatients with COPD. It was related to 6-minute walk distance and %FVC.
• PTOTOther2024Correlation between postural stability and fall risk in trans-femoral amputees due to muscle fatigue.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter a 30-minute sit-to-stand task, people with transfemoral amputations showed significantly worse balance and higher fall risk scores. Controls did not show a significant change in fall risk. Strong correlations between poor balance and fall risk were found in the amputee group.
• PTOTOther2024Relationship between respiratory sarcopenia and respiratory muscle weakness in community-dwelling older adults: a preliminary cross-sectional study.Journal of physical therapy scienceCommunity-dwelling older adults with respiratory sarcopenia had lower skeletal muscle mass and trunk muscle mass than those with respiratory muscle weakness or robust status. However, respiratory function did not differ between these groups, suggesting the condition affects body composition more than lung capacity.
• PTOTCohort2024Individual joint contributions to forward propulsion are not related to stability during walking in young or older adults.Gait & postureOlder adults who rely more on their hips for forward propulsion show greater side-to-side stability, but this hip shift has no clear link to forward-backward stability. The change in propulsion strategy appears related to lateral balance control rather than general instability.
• PTOTOther2024The effect of advanced age and stool modification on reaching distance in sitting.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding leg supports to a stool increased forward reach distance in older adults by 8.7 cm. They reached farther forward than sideways. The study compared healthy young and older adults, so it does not show how to treat patients with balance deficits.
• PTOTCohort2024Factors associated with stair climbing independence at discharge in patients with vertebral compression fractures and their interrelationships: a study using decision tree analysis.Journal of physical therapy scienceFor women with vertebral compression fractures, muscle mass and age at admission predicted stair independence at discharge. Those with skeletal muscle mass index below 4.48 kg/m2 or age over 90.5 years were more likely to need assistance. Grip strength below 11.9 kg also flagged risk.
• PTOTCase Report2024Non-surgical reduction in thoracolumbar kyphosis and sagittal vertical axis corresponding with improved sensorimotor control in an older adult with spinal deformity: a Chiropractic Biophysics® case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceOne older man with spinal deformity improved his standing balance and reduced his forward lean after four months of chiropractic exercises, traction and whole-body vibration. Because this was a single patient, it shows what happened to him, not that the treatment works.
• PTOTCohort2025Feasibility of a mat-based Pilates program for community dwelling seniors to improve balance and core strength.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationAn 8-week mat Pilates program was feasible and well-liked by seniors, but did not significantly improve balance or strength. High baseline confidence and short duration likely limited gains. Participants requested more education and clearer goals for future programs.
• PTOTOther2025Cross-sectional analysis of speed-up mechanism in normal gait among healthy older adults with and without falls - Results from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.Gait & postureWhen asked to walk faster, healthy older adults who had recently fallen did not increase hip, knee, and ankle range of motion as much as those who had not fallen. This subtle loss of movement reserve during acceleration may help identify fall risk earlier than usual walking speed alone.
• PTOTOther2024Associations between Physical Activity, Systemic Inflammation, and Hospital Admissions in Adults with Heart Failure.Cardiopulmonary physical therapy journalIn adults with heart failure, vigorous daily activity was linked to 62% fewer hospital admissions and lower inflammation. Light activity also reduced admissions. These are associations, not proof that activity causes these benefits, as the study was cross-sectional.
• PTOTCohort2024Relationship between functional independence measure scores and timed up-and-go time in postoperative elderly patients with vertebral and hip fractures.Journal of physical therapy scienceFor elderly patients within two months of hip or vertebral fracture surgery, a Timed Up & Go time over 35 seconds strongly predicts needing nursing care. In patients more than 12 months post-surgery, slow walking often coexists with independence, so TUG time does not predict care needs in this late group.
• PTOTNarrative Review2025Physical exercise for primary sarcopenia: an expert opinion.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesFor older adults with primary sarcopenia, expert recommendations favour tailored resistance exercise, often combined with aerobic and balance training, to improve muscle mass, strength and physical performance.
• PTOTSurvey2025Pregnancy after amputation: A national survey of prosthetic and mobility outcomes in women with lived experience.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalMost women with lower-limb amputation reported mobility changes during pregnancy, including falls and poor prosthesis fit. Many needed a wheelchair postpartum. Seven advised arranging a back-up mobility plan before delivery, as resuming prosthesis use within days was not guaranteed.
• OTSLPCohort2025Eye Tracking as a Tool for Detecting Alzheimer's Disease in People With Down Syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDREye tracking showed promise for detecting early Alzheimer's changes in adults with Down syndrome, including those with severe intellectual disability. Smaller eye movements and less attention to new images linked to older age and higher pathology. This method is feasible but needs larger trials to prove it works.
• PTOTOther2025The central nervous system adjusts muscle synergy structure and tightly controls rollator-supported transitions between sitting and standing.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHealthy young adults used more upper body and less leg muscle when gripping rollator handles. The brain did not change its core movement pattern, only the muscle balance. This shifts load from weak legs to arms but requires further testing in older, fall-prone users.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Enhancing anticipation control of the posture system in the elderly wearing stroboscopic glasses.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationOlder adults wearing stroboscopic glasses during balance training showed larger sway and increased open-loop control. This suggests they relied more on internal body awareness and less on visual feedback to maintain posture. It is a single-session lab study, not a clinical trial.
• PTOTOther2025Noncontact of the unilateral hallux with the ground reduces forward limits of stability while standing.Journal of physical therapy scienceTaping the big toe off the ground reduced how far people could lean forward without stepping. This effect was stronger when leaning toward the taped side. Quiet standing balance was unaffected, suggesting the toe matters mainly during forward reaching tasks.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Exploring the influence of hospital context on acute care physical therapy fall prevention practice: A qualitative study.Physiotherapy theory and practiceTen acute care physical therapists described mobility promotion as the central fall prevention strategy, yet found it consistently blocked by nursing guidelines, staff shortages, and lack of equipment. They viewed their role as educating nurses and planning safe discharges rather than delivering direct treatment.
• OTOther2025Lessons Learned From the Integration of Ambient Assisted Living Technologies in Older Adults' Care: Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesOlder adults living alone reported feeling safer and calmer after ambient sensors were installed in their homes. However, some experienced fewer in-person caregiver visits and felt isolated. The technology improved perceived security but risked reducing the human connection they valued most.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Factors Associated With Alzheimer's Dementia Diagnosis and Survival in Down Syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDREarlier baseline assessments and living with family predicted earlier dementia diagnosis in Down syndrome. Median survival post-diagnosis was 4 years, with older age, epilepsy, and hospital residence linked to shorter survival. Anti-dementia medication showed no significant survival benefit.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Can hearing handicap be linked to frailty? A cross-sectional study.CoDASHearing handicap was associated with physical frailty, but not with cognitive or social frailty, in older adults from low-income areas. Emotional hearing difficulties linked to physical frailty, while social frailty was tied to cognitive decline rather than hearing loss.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Association between older people's health literacy and sociodemographic aspects, functioning, happiness, and perception of the COVID-19 pandemic: a preliminary study.CoDASIn 37 older adults, lower health literacy was linked to less education and more difficulty with cognition and self-care. It was also associated with feeling less calm. However, health literacy did not influence how they perceived the pandemic or their overall happiness.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Smart Wearable Technologies for Balance Rehabilitation in Older Adults at Risk of Falls: Scoping Review and Comparative Analysis.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesThis review maps smart balance rehab tools for older adults at risk of falls but reports no patient outcomes. Most systems use VR and motion tracking. Few offer AI personalization or remote monitoring. The authors compare these gaps to their own new platform, TeleRehab DSS.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Views and Experiences of Dementia in People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRPeople with intellectual disabilities described losing abilities and relationships, but maintaining a sense of self through choice, competence and connection. Support from staff who understood their non-verbal cues helped counteract these losses.
• PTOTCase-Control2025Atypical Postural Control Variability and Coordination Persist Into Middle and Older Adulthood in Autism Spectrum Disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMiddle-aged and older autistic adults showed greater body sway when standing still but smaller, jerkier movements when asked to sway deliberately. These differences persisted across age, suggesting atypical postural control that may contribute to higher fall risk in this population.
• PTOTQualitative2025Health Care Professionals' Views of Barriers and Facilitators for Implementing a Fall Risk Screening Tool in Clinical and Public Health Settings.Physical therapyClinicians found the First-time Injurious Fall tool quick and useful for spotting risk, but warned it needs clear instructions to avoid misinterpreting the balance test. They recommended embedding it into daily routines with management support rather than adding it as an extra task.
• PTOTCohort2025Depressive Symptoms Are Associated With Reduced Unsupervised Training Engagement in Inpatients With Subacute Stroke: A Secondary Data Analysis Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationInpatients with subacute stroke who had depressive symptoms spent significantly less time in unsupervised leg cycle training than those without. This association was not seen with apathy alone or with functional outcomes at discharge.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025A Home-Based Behaviour Change Intervention With Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity in People With Stroke and Diabetes-A Feasibility and Safety Study.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyFourteen stroke survivors with diabetes completed a 12-week home-based behaviour change programme. Recruitment was slow, questionnaire completion was low, and no efficacy claims can be made from this safety and feasibility test.
• OTSurvey2025Theory of Mind Mediates the Association Between Autistic Traits and Social Isolation in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMiddle-aged and older adults with more autistic traits reported less social connection. Poorer theory-of-mind task performance partly accounted for this association, and it accounted for the whole association when depression and anxiety symptoms were considered.
• OTSystematic Review2025Conceptualisation of financial capability in adults with acquired cognitive impairment: A qualitative evidence synthesis.Clinical rehabilitationFinancial capability in adults with acquired cognitive impairment was described across models as multidimensional: task skills, real-world performance, context, supports, exploitation risk and legal capacity. Definitions varied, and independent task performance alone did not capture capability.
• OTQualitative2025Framing Facets of Social Participation: Older Adults' Experiences of "Social Online Meetings".OTJR : occupation, participation and healthOlder adults described social online meetings as helping them feel less lonely and rethink everyday life. Technical problems and group size also limited connection, so the experience varied.
• OTPilot2024Using FRAME to adapt an evidence-based dyadic intervention program for people living with dementia in residential aged care: A pilot feasibility study.Australian occupational therapy journalAdapting the COPE program for aged care was feasible, with all five recruited dyads completing the intervention. However, staff and families identified that success depends on engaging care home staff for continuity and introducing the program earlier in the resident's journey.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Within-session dual-task walking practice improves gait variability in older adults with multiple sclerosis.Gait & postureOlder adults with MS walked with more variability than healthy peers, especially when adding a mental task. However, repeating the walking task three times in one session reduced this variability in both groups. This suggests short practice sessions can help stabilize gait.
• PTOTCohort2025Can N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentration on admission predict the functional independence measure at discharge in patients aged 75 years or older with postoperative proximal femur fracture?Journal of physical therapy scienceIn older proximal femur fracture patients, a blood marker of heart failure severity did not predict total independence at discharge beyond the baseline score. Higher marker levels were linked to lower motor independence and smaller total and motor gains.
• PTOTRCT2025Impact of sensorimotor mismatch on virtual reality sickness and user experience: age-related differences in a randomized trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn healthy adults, deliberate sensorimotor mismatches in a seated VR ball-throwing task did not increase VR sickness compared to standard or errorless tasks. However, the mismatch condition caused significantly more frustration and exhaustion. Older participants reported less sickness than younger ones. This suggests mismatched feedback is tolerable but may reduce user enjoyment.
• PTOTOther2025Individual muscle strengths in rehabilitation outcomes of distal radius fracture.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSimulated extension exercises after wrist fracture helped a weaker patient heal but hurt a stronger one. Muscle strength changes how much force hits the bone. Standard exercise plans may overload strong patients and underload weak ones.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Manual wheelchair training approaches and intended training outcomes for adults who are new to wheelchair use: A scoping review.Australian occupational therapy journalMost wheelchair training programs for adults focus on basic skills, confidence, and propulsion mechanics rather than long-term community participation. They rarely address the needs of older adults with progressive conditions or those with cognitive impairments, leaving therapists without clear guidance on effective, tailored approaches.
• PTOTCohort2025Fatigue and recovery assessed by repetitive handgrip strength measurement as predictors of fall risk in older adults: A cross-sectional study.Clinical rehabilitationOlder adults who had fallen showed worse handgrip fatigue and recovery than those who had not. In adjusted models, a higher fatigue ratio predicted more future falls, while previous falls and lower physical performance were the strongest predictors.
• OTPilot2025Telehealth Lifestyle Pilot Study for Improving Occupational Performance in Older Adults.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthTwelve older adults completed six telehealth lifestyle sessions. Goal attainment improved significantly, but quality of life scores did not change. The short duration and lack of a control group mean this shows the program was feasible, not that it works.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Physical Therapy Management of Fall Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association - Geriatrics.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)Multicomponent exercise with progressive balance training is the most effective way to reduce falls. Tai Chi works well for lower-risk patients. Resistance training or education alone does not reduce falls and should not be used in isolation.
• PTOTRCT2025The impacts of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with aquatic neuromuscular training on pain, function, kinesiophobia, knee instability, and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind randomized trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding brain stimulation to water exercises didn't reduce pain more than placebo at six weeks, but it improved knee stability and function. Both groups got better, so the stimulation didn't add a pain benefit over the exercise alone.
• OTRCT2024Psychological and physiological benefits of horticultural therapy for Chinese older adults.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTIn 100 older women, ten minutes watering indoor plants lowered blood pressure, reduced anxiety and raised relaxation scores versus a seated card game, but pulse, some brainwave measures and attention did not differ.
• OTOther2024Classification of life satisfaction by occupational gaps and its characteristics among older adults with care needs.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTFor older adults with care needs, life satisfaction was best classified by the number of social activities they actually do and want to do. If they had fewer than three such activities, the number of household tasks they wanted to do but could not predicted dissatisfaction.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Prevalence and risk factors of neck pain among middle-aged and older adults in China: a cross-sectional study from the CHARLS cohort.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineNearly one in five middle-aged and older adults in China reported neck pain. Women were affected far more often than men. Neck pain was strongly linked to headache, depression, poor sleep, and multiple chronic conditions.
• PTOTOther2024Reliability and validity of five balance assessments battery in individuals with schizophrenia.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTIn 26 adults with schizophrenia, the Star Excursion Balance Test and Timed Up-and-Go were the most useful balance measures, and best separated people with a fall history from those without.
• OTCohort2024Memory benefits of daily-living-related contextual cueing for individuals with subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTHealthy older adults and those with subjective complaints used daily living cues to remember items better than those with mild cognitive impairment. This benefit was lost in older adults with MCI, but retained in younger adults with MCI. Tailor cueing strategies to age and cognitive status.
• PTOTOther2025Psychometric validation of comprehensive coordination scale to assess the advanced coordination ability in people with stroke.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineThe Comprehensive Coordination Scale reliably measures motor coordination in chronic stroke survivors. A total score below 62.5 effectively distinguishes those with stroke from healthy older adults. However, the scale's bilateral and unaffected-side subscores showed poor reliability or diagnostic power.
• OTOther2025Influence of personalised citizen assistance for social participation (APIC) on health, social participation, and life satisfaction: Perspectives from older adults and attendants.Australian occupational therapy journalAttendants perceived improvements in older adults' mental health and life satisfaction, but self-reported scores showed no significant changes. Social participation varied widely, with some increasing activities and others decreasing them. The intervention did not significantly improve physical health or overall life satisfaction.