TOPIC

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 22 OF 24 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCohort2025E-Cigarette Use Among Older Adults with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: Relationship With History of Cigarette Smoking.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAbout 16% of adults with chronic spinal cord injury have tried e-cigarettes, and 4.9% currently use them. History of cigarette smoking and younger age were strongly associated with this use. Injury severity was not related to vaping.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Evaluating Goal Attainment Scaling for Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia in Rehabilitation Settings.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPeople with mild cognitive impairment or dementia could use Goal Attainment Scaling to rate their own progress, agreeing closely with therapists. However, goal attainment scores did not correlate with Functional Independence Measure scores, so the two tools measure different things.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Multicomponent exercise interventions for cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a summary of best evidence.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesMulticomponent exercise combining aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility work improved overall cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Moderate intensity, 30-60 minute sessions, and 3-4 times weekly are recommended. Evidence is graded low and relies on secondary sources.
• PTOTCohort2025Central Blood Pressure and Augmentation Index in Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDROlder adults with intellectual disabilities show cardiovascular risk patterns similar to the general population, with women having higher central blood pressure than men. However, these specific vascular measures did not correlate with a history of cardiovascular disease in this group.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Age at onset and gene variants predict lifespan and disease duration in childhood neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn children with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, the age at which symptoms first appear strongly predicts how long the patient lives. Later onset meant significantly longer survival and disease duration, while early onset led to rapid decline. Genetic variant severity did not consistently predict this timeline.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Development of a Screening Intervention for Dysphagia in Hospitalised Geriatric Patients.DysphagiaA new screening protocol for hospitalised older adults combines a four-question survey with a 30ml water test. It was designed for nurses and therapists to complete in five to fifteen minutes. No patient outcomes were measured yet.
• PTOTCohort2025Ten-Year Outcomes of Anticholinergic Use Among Older Adults With Intellectual Disability: Findings From the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA).Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRHigh anticholinergic burden was associated with more falls and mental health problems after 10 years in older adults with intellectual disability. It did not predict ADL dependency, constipation or laxative use. Medication review is warranted.
• PTOTCohort2026Physical activity and related characteristics in assisted living residents with different levels of mobility: a comparative analysis.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyResidents using wheelchairs or scooters had worse lower-body function than ambulatory peers, but similar hand strength. Activity counts were not significantly different between groups. Physical activity correlated with better balance and grip in seated users, suggesting upper-body exercise is viable.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2025Ideational and conceptual apraxia by cerebral infarction in the left basal ganglia and right pons: a case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA patient with no limb paralysis or aphasia lost the ability to operate complex machinery and ATMs after strokes in the left basal ganglia and right pons. Standard apraxia tests missed this deficit, which appeared only when assessing abstract, multi-step tasks.
• PTOTQualitative2026Fall experiences of ambulatory children and adults with cerebral palsy: A qualitative study using thematic content analysis.Developmental medicine and child neurologyPeople with cerebral palsy described embarrassment and anxiety as more worrying than physical injuries. They often avoid crowds or public spaces. Clinicians should ask about emotional impacts and teach safe falling techniques, as fear of falling limits independence.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025The Direct and Indirect Effects of Hearing Loss on Loneliness in Older Adults.Ear and hearingOlder adults who rated their own hearing as poor reported higher loneliness scores than those with better hearing. Loneliness also increased more over time in this group. Hearing aid use did not significantly change the link between hearing ability and loneliness.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Dysphagia and Oral Health in Older Adults with Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome.DysphagiaCommunity-dwelling older adults with motoric cognitive risk syndrome reported significantly more swallowing difficulty than those without. Each one-point increase on the swallowing questionnaire raised the odds of having the syndrome by 13%. Oral health scores did not predict the syndrome.
• PTOTOther2026Active robotic assistance for standing and sitting: experimental evaluation of handle trajectories.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn 15 young able-bodied adults, moving robotic handles reduced hip and knee effort during standing up and sitting down compared with static handles. Straighter handle paths gave the largest leg reductions, but required more upward force at the handles.
• OTSLPCohort2025Coping With Primary Progressive Aphasia: Factors Predicting Caregiver Psychological Wellbeing and Burden.International journal of language & communication disordersCaregiver burden tracked with the patient's behavioral disturbance and emotion recognition deficits, not their language skills. Dysfunctional coping predicted caregiver stress. Most caregivers had normal anxiety and depression scores, but burden varied significantly by PPA subtype.
• PTOTSurvey2026Exercise modalities and outcome measures used in older adults after hip fracture with or without signs of cognitive impairment: a national cross-sectional e-survey of 90 out of 98 municipalities in Denmark.Journal of rehabilitation medicineDanish municipalities offer similar hip fracture rehabilitation regardless of cognitive status, but rarely screen for impairment or document specific plans for those with cognitive signs. Physiotherapists deliver most care, using functional and balance exercises, yet few use recommended pain or cognitive assessments.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2025Case Report: Intensive multidisciplinary motor-cognitive rehabilitation treatment in Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOne woman with Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome completed four weeks of intensive motor-cognitive rehabilitation. Her walking, balance, hand dexterity, speech clarity and swallowing safety all improved during admission, though she still needed her walker and caregiver support.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Mapping 74 years in acoustic analysis of voice disorders: A bibliometric review and future research directions.Journal of communication disordersA bibliometric analysis of 1,253 studies shows acoustic voice assessment research has grown rapidly, driven by remote monitoring and machine learning. While Parkinson's disease is heavily studied, voice changes in dementia, ALS, and depression remain under-researched despite their clinical relevance.
• OTSystematic Review2025Natural Setting Interventions to Increase Physical Activity Level in Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDPhysical activity programmes in familiar settings were implemented, but effects were mixed. The only study judged low risk of bias found no significant increase.
• PTOTPilot2026Drumming with BEAT: a pilot study on the impact of drum set playing on motor control and quality of life in Parkinson's disease.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThree people with Parkinson's disease played a drum set for six weeks. All showed some improvement in balance and upper limb speed, but mood and quality of life scores were inconsistent. The program was feasible and engaging, but this small study cannot prove it works.
• PTOTCohort2026Predicting Geriatric Rehabilitation Stays of ≤4 Weeks After Hip Fracture Surgery: Machine Learning Approach Using Physical Activity and Patient Data.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAfter hip fracture surgery, a model using first-week activity and patient data identified likely stays of 4 weeks or less. It performed well in 100 Dutch patients, but needs external testing before changing discharge planning.
• PTOTCohort2026Optimizing the Approach to Calculating CST Lesion Load in Ischemic Stroke Patients for Understanding Motor Outcomes.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairUsing an age-matched brain template and a specific lesion calculation method, the maximum weighted lesion load of the corticospinal tract, best predicted motor impairment and function after stroke. This approach replicated in a second group and used only standard MRI scans.
• PTOTPilot2025Promoting continuous rehabilitation with AI-based motion capture and biomechanical analysis: objective feedback as a catalyst.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesObjective feedback on shoulder movement improved exercise motivation for one month in older adults with stroke, diabetes, or foot deformity. Motivation dropped off after four weeks. The effect was absent in participants with Parkinson's disease, who declined regardless of feedback.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Early Markers for Dementia in the Intellectual Disability Population: A Systematic Literature Review.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDMemory decline is a common early sign of dementia in Down syndrome, but attention, executive function, language, behaviour and gait also change early. There is no clear sequence for which symptom appears first, so broad baseline assessment is needed.
• PTOTOther2026Perceptions on design, operability and impact of a power-assist, novel caregiver assist transport chair: a mixed methods study.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyCaregivers testing a prototype power-assist transport chair found it easy to push and maneuver, but flagged the weight as a major barrier for lifting into vehicles. They requested design changes for smoother sensor response and better footplate clearance.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Patient-Perceived Factors Influencing Physical Activity Sensor Use in Stroke Prevention and Rehabilitation: Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies Using Thematic Synthesis.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesPatients often stop using activity trackers because devices feel designed for younger people and fail to capture relevant movements like slow walking. Engagement improves when therapists help set realistic goals and interpret data, turning raw steps into actionable health insights.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Trajectories and Predictors of Activity Participation Among People with Parkinson Disease: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationParticipation levels in people with Parkinson disease remained stable over three years, but depressive symptoms predicted immediate drops in activity. Patients with milder symptoms still lost participation over time, so monitor mood and social support in all patients, not just those with severe depression.
• PTOTOther2026Feasibility, Test-Retest Reliability and Convergent Validity of the Two-Minute Step Test in Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRThe Two-Minute Step Test worked for half of older adults with intellectual disabilities, with excellent reliability. It was feasible for those with mild to moderate disabilities but rarely for those with severe or profound disabilities.
• PTOTOther2026Reliability and Discriminant Ability of an Instrumented Timed Up and Go Test in People With Postsurgical Orthopedic Conditions: Quantitative Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesThe instrumented TUG test reliably identifies five mobility domains in orthopedic patients. These sensor-based factors distinguish between hip, knee, and fracture groups better than stopwatch timing alone, offering a more detailed view of functional recovery.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Prevalence and Modifiable Risk Factors of Dementia in People With Down Syndrome: Cross-Sectional Study of Japan in Collaboration With the Intellectual Diversity for Goodness Research Consortium (INDIGO-2019).Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRNearly half of adults with Down syndrome aged 45 and over in Japanese care facilities had dementia. Dyslipidaemia and visual impairment were the only significant modifiable risk factors found, suggesting routine monitoring of these conditions may help identify those at higher risk.
• OTSLPQualitative2026Digital Pathways to Family Bonds: Exploring WhatsApp Video Calls Adoption by Older Adults With Intellectual Disability in Out-of-Home Residence.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDOlder adults with intellectual disability valued seeing family on video, but most could not use the tablet freely because staff stored it away. Those who gained independence in calling also faced distress when family did not answer, showing access and emotional support are essential.
• PTOTPilot2025Development and feasibility testing of a video-based exercise program for improving upper limb motor function among stroke survivors in a low-income setting.Archives of physiotherapyStroke survivors in Nigeria completed a four-week home program using an English video, manual, and five exercises including constraint-induced movement therapy; 29 of 30 finished, and motor scores rose 8.8 points on a 75-point scale. Without controls, this shows feasibility, not proven effectiveness.
• PTOTRCT2026Effects of an Exercise-Assisting Mobile App (Osteoarthritis-Rehabilitation Assistant [O-RA]) on Rehabilitation Outcomes in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Parallel Clinical Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesOlder adults using the O-RA motion-analysis app completed significantly fewer knee exercises than those given standard instructions. The app acted as a barrier, not a facilitator, due to instability, WiFi requirements, and difficulty using the interface.
• PTOTRCT2026Effects of Sanqi Shengyu External Application Cream and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Knee Osteoarthritis in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyFor older adults with knee osteoarthritis, adding a herbal cream or electromagnetic therapy to daily exercise reduced pain and improved function. Combining both treatments provided the best long-term results. Exercise alone also helped, but the combined therapy maintained pain relief better over time.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2025Physiological and psychological therapeutic effects of telerehabilitation treatment on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of physical therapy scienceTelerehabilitation for COPD is slightly worse than face-to-face rehab for walking distance but better for anxiety and depression. Use it when travel is a barrier, but expect smaller gains in physical endurance compared to clinic-based programs.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Changing Patterns of Psychotropics Use Among Older Adults With Intellectual Disability Over a Decade, With a Focus on Designated Mental Health Conditions.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDPsychotropic use remained high in older adults with intellectual disability over a decade. Antipsychotic and sedative use dropped, while antidepressant use rose. Many people taking these drugs had no diagnosed mental health condition, but did have behaviours of concern.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Exoskeleton frontal and sagittal plane hip torque improves propulsion and transient stability during walking in individuals with hemiparesis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn eight people with hemiparesis, a hip exoskeleton widened step width and improved stability markers as abduction torque increased. Sagittal-plane assistance boosted non-paretic propulsion but not paretic. These immediate mechanical changes need testing in real-world falls and walking speed.
• PTOTOther2026Acute effects of upper-limb blood flow restriction training on dual-task postural control and physiological correlates in older adults.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding blood flow restriction to arm exercise improved balance during a dual-task in older adults. Reaction time and accuracy did not change. The benefit was limited to postural control, not the cognitive part of the task.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2026The effect of combined motor and cognitive rehabilitation on motor performance in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of rehabilitation medicineCombined motor and cognitive training did not clearly improve functional mobility over motor training in Parkinson's disease. Sequential protocols reported an improvement in daily activities; simultaneous protocols reported better quality of life, but evidence was limited.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Functions and Sensors of Smart Walkers From 2015 to 2024: Scoping Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesSmart walkers use many sensors, but most were tested in labs with younger adults without symptoms. Gait and balance measurements were often not checked against reference systems, so they cannot yet guide clinical decisions.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2026Trends in Rehabilitation Insurance Benefit Exhaustion Among Older Adults in the United States and Associations With Racial Identity.Physical therapyIn 2022, 27.9% of older adults who completed rehabilitation reported exhausting insurance benefits. Rates fell since 2015, but after adjustment Non-Hispanic Black adults had a 9.3 percentage point higher estimated chance of reporting exhaustion than Non-Hispanic White adults.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026The Prevalence of Infection and Sepsis Associated Dysphagia in Hospitalised Patients: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study.DysphagiaSepsis and infection were associated with new-onset dysphagia in hospitalised patients. Sepsis carried a higher risk than infection alone. Older patients and those with dementia, delirium or Parkinson's disease were most likely to develop swallowing difficulties during admission.
• PTOTOther2026Psychosocial Factors Are Rarely the Focus of Rehabilitation After Hip Fracture: A Short Report of Routinely Collected Health Data.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyIn 100 people rehabilitating after hip fracture, only 4 of 231 therapy goals were about psychosocial functioning, and only 3 patients had such a goal. Of 17 screened as at risk of anxiety or depression, 9 had nothing documented to address it.
• OTQualitative2025Occupational Participation Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieOlder adults' pandemic losses centred on doing things with other people, not the activities themselves; virtual versions were 'better than nothing' but rarely enough. Some were also barred from volunteering by age rules.
• OTCohort2025Exploring Dual-Task Performance Relationships for Veterans with Lower-Limb Amputation.Occupational therapy in health careWalking while doing serial subtraction cut gait speed 23.30% and correct answers 11.62%, but how much a person declined did not separate those who fell repeatedly from those who fell rarely or not at all, and it did not match their reported daily activity.
• OTSystematic Review2025Economic Evidence in Occupational Therapy: A Rapid Review.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieOccupational therapy's economic evidence is mixed: in home care, some studies found savings or lower costs while others found no cost difference. In about 40% of the 135 studies the specific occupational therapy contribution was not described.
• OTSurvey2026Perceived Accessibility of Living Environment and Services Questionnaire: Validity and Reliability.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthOlder adults with disabilities rated their neighborhoods as less accessible than those without. The new 9-item PALES matched their answers to researchers' own ratings and gave the same score when people answered again two weeks later.
• PTOTPilot2026Feasibility, acceptability, and functional outcomes of a home-based exergaming telerehabilitation program for adults with functional disabilities: a multi-center single-arm pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA caregiver-supervised home exergaming programme was feasible: 9 of 10 participants exercised on more than 70% of days and no falls or adverse events occurred. Functional gains were seen but are uncontrolled, and everyone kept having usual outpatient rehabilitation.
• OTQualitative2025The potential of place-based occupational therapy to support aging-in-place: A qualitative study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTThe seven therapists said placing occupational therapy in the client's own neighbourhood, using the streets and shops they already walk, could fill the gap between hospital discharge and day rehabilitation and keep caregivers involved. All said subsidies and hospital endorsement would decide whether it happens.
• OTQualitative2026Prescribing Assistive Technology for Cognition to Support Aging in Place: OTs' Perspective.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieOccupational therapists prescribe cognitive assistive technology mainly for complex, multi-step tasks like medication management, and when they judge the client still has procedural memory to learn it. Late referrals, clients who do not see their own limits, and absent family caregivers hold them back.
• OTSystematic Review2026Home Modification Outcomes for Adults Aged 50 Years and Over and Their Relatives: A Scoping Review.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthAcross 38 studies, home modifications most often helped older adults keep bathing, dressing and moving around their home safely, with less fear of falling and less need for paid or family care. Three studies found no reduction in falls.