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Hand therapy research

Everything we have read on hand therapy. 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.

1,303 PAPERS · PAGE 1 OF 27 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRNCohort2017Ability of Self-Reported Frailty Components to Predict Incident Disability, Falls, and All-Cause Mortality: Results From a Population-Based Study of Older British Men.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAsking older men about slow walking, low activity, exhaustion, and weight loss flagged later disability, falls, or death. These simple questions pointed to higher risk as well as or better than objective frailty tests.
• PTOTCohort2017Objective Measures of Activity in the Elderly: Distribution and Associations With Demographic and Health Factors.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults aged 70 to 94 spent 78.2% to 79.5% of waking time sedentary, and average moderate-to-vigorous activity was 71.5 to 75.0 minutes/day. Activity was lower with older age, higher BMI, disability and chronic disease.
• PTOTCohort2018Muscle Strength and Functional Limitations: Preserving Function in Older Mexican Americans.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationStronger handgrip was linked to less functional loss over two years in older Mexican Americans. Each 10-kg higher grip was associated with 5% and 8% lower odds of losing instrumental tasks and developing new disability. It does not prove strength training prevents decline.
• PTOTRNCohort2019Genotype, resilience and function and physical activity post hip fracture.International journal of orthopaedic and trauma nursingAt two months after hip fracture, resilience was associated with genetic variation and social activity, and with better function and more exercise. The study cannot show cause.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2019Effects of weight-lifting or resistance exercise on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A systematic review.International journal of nursing sciencesResistance exercise did not increase arm swelling in women with or at risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema. While some studies showed reduced volume, others found no difference. Exercise is safe to perform but should not replace standard lymphedema care.
• PTOTCohort2019Oral Health, Disability and Physical Function: Results From Studies of Older People in the United Kingdom and United States of America.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn older adults, tooth loss, dry mouth, poor self-rated oral health, and several oral problems were associated with mobility limitations, self-care and household task problems, and slow gait or weak grip.
• PTOTCohort2020The Longitudinal Associations of Handgrip Strength and Cognitive Function in Aging Americans.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationEvery 5-kilogram higher handgrip was linked with being less likely to have future cognitive impairment, and any cognitive impairment was linked with a 1.09-kilogram lower handgrip. This is an association, not proof grip strength causes cognitive decline.
• OTRNOther2019Predictors of instrumental activities of daily living in community-dwelling older adults.Archives of psychiatric nursingOlder adults who were better at holding and changing information in working memory performed more accurately at managing medications and finances. No measured thinking skill predicted shopping or phone and letter tasks.
• PTOTRNRCT2020Visual feedback therapy for restoration of upper limb function of stroke patients.International journal of nursing sciencesStroke patients who added visual feedback therapy to conventional stroke care and rehabilitation had better upper limb movement and daily independence after 8 weeks, and the advantage remained at 2 months in the 17 followed patients.
• PTOTRCT2020Effects of Ving Tsun sticking-hand training on upper-limb sensorimotor performance in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults: A randomized controlled trial.International journal of nursing sciencesThree months of Ving Tsun sticking-hand training did not improve elbow-joint position sense or maximum upper-limb strength in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. It did reduce the time shoulder flexors took to reach maximum force.
• PTOTRNPilot2020An evidence-based structured one-year programme to sustain physical activity in patients with heart failure in primary care: A non-randomized longitudinal feasibility study.Nursing openSeven patients with heart failure completed a one-year nurse-led programme combining group education and individual activity plans. Self-reported activity and walking distance improved, and participants found the group sessions and personalized goals most helpful. Feasibility was confirmed, but efficacy remains unproven.
• PTOTRNSurvey2020A Study of Physical Activity, Frailty, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Taiwan.The journal of nursing research : JNRIn 150 community-dwelling older adults, better upper limb strength and flexibility, along with higher physical activity, were linked to higher health-related quality of life. Being prefrail was associated with lower quality of life scores. These are correlations, not evidence that exercise improves outcomes.
• PTOTRNOther2021Daytime activity and sleep are associated with motor function in older intensive care unit survivors.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careOlder ICU survivors with less daytime activity had weaker grip and slower pegboard dexterity; more daytime sleep/rest was also linked to worse grip and dexterity. These are associations, not proof that changing activity or sleep improves function.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Incident Impaired Cognitive Function in Sarcopenic Obesity: Data From the National Health and Aging Trends Survey.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults with low grip strength, with or without obesity, were at significantly higher risk of developing impaired cognitive function over 8 years. Obesity alone did not increase this risk, suggesting muscle weakness is the primary driver of cognitive decline in this population.
• OTRNRCT2022Stroke Family Caregiver Life Changes From the COVID-19 Pandemic.The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience NursesStroke caregivers reported disrupted routines and reduced social contact, but also increased use of videoconferencing and internet ordering. Financial well-being and physical health changed little on average. Individual responses varied widely, requiring personalized support rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2023Effect of exercise on rehabilitation of breast cancer surgery patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nursing openAerobic exercise reduced pain and improved shoulder flexion, internal rotation, arm symptoms and strength. Shoulder and elbow exercise reduced lymphedema incidence. Resistance exercise did not reduce pain, and manual lymphatic drainage and aerobic exercise did not show a reduction in arm volume.
• PTOTRNCohort2023A longitudinal study of disability in activities of daily living and activity restriction-induced fear of falling among Korean older people.Nursing openOlder adults who limited activities because they feared falling had more disability in daily tasks over 10 years. Fear of falling without limiting activities was not linked to disability.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2023Effects of chair-based resistance band exercise on physical functioning, sleep quality, and depression of older adults in long-term care facilities: Systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesChair-based resistance band exercise improved daily living independence, strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, sleep quality and depression in older adults in long-term care. Sessions were about 40 to 46 min, three times weekly, for 12 to 60 weeks.
• PTOTRNOther2023Levels of Accelerometer-Based Physical Activity in Older Adults With a Mismatch Between Physiological Fall Risk and Fear of Falling.Journal of gerontological nursingOlder adults whose fear of falling did not match their actual balance risk did significantly less moderate to vigorous physical activity than those whose perception matched reality. This mismatch may contribute to inactivity and increased fall risk in community-dwelling seniors.
• PTOTRNNarrative Review2023Principles of management of hand fractures.Journal of perioperative practiceFor adult hand fractures, early pain, wound and neurovascular checks, antibiotics for open fractures, and hand therapy five to seven days after surgery are core principles.
• PTOTRNCase Series2023A Single-Center Retrospective Evaluation of Decision-Making and Factors Motivating Hand Transplant Candidates.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)In eight completed hand transplant evaluations, none proceeded to transplant. Patients often stopped because of rehabilitation time, lifelong immunosuppression, alternative options, or social and financial strain; teams stopped others for safety or incomplete follow-up.
• PTOTRNSurvey2023Stroke severity to determine musculoskeletal symptoms in family caregivers.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemFamily caregivers of stroke survivors reported low back pain most often, and their low back and shoulder symptoms were linked to the patient's disability. Neck, hip, knee and foot pain did not track the patient's condition.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Presymptomatic Profiles of Cognitive Impairment with Prior Mobility Impairment.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults who later developed cognitive impairment and had prior slow gait showed lower psychomotor speed and manual dexterity seven years before symptoms. They also had higher BMI, blood pressure, and insulin resistance. These profiles suggest metabolic and motor pathways rather than memory decline precede dementia.
• PTOTPilot2025Effects of the Vitality Acupunch Exercise Program on Older Adults With Probable Sarcopenia: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study.Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' AssociationIn nursing-home residents with probable sarcopenia, a 24-week seated acupunch program did not improve the main physical outcomes overall, but handgrip strength was higher at the end and participants described greater strength and enjoyment.
• PTOTOther2024Recovery after ischemic stroke: Effects of FuekFone home-based program on upper limb and cognitive function.International journal of nursing sciencesIschemic stroke patients at home using a TV game program had improved upper limb and cognitive scores over six weeks, but with no control group, natural recovery cannot be ruled out.
• PTOTRNCohort2025Multimorbidity, Muscle Strength, and Falls among Older Mexican Americans.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAmong older Mexican Americans with no prior falls, high grip strength was linked to fewer falls over 12 years, even with multimorbidity. No multimorbidity was linked to even fewer falls.
• PTOTRNOther2026Multidimensional associations of physical performance, balance, wellness and daily activities with frailty in older adults with coexisting frailty and diabetes.Journal of clinical nursingIn older adults with diabetes and frailty, faster walking and sit-to-stand movement, better one-leg balance, more moderate-to-vigorous activity, less dependence, better nutrition and health perception were associated with being pre-frail rather than frail. Higher depression scores were associated with being frail.
• PTOTRNOther2025Examining Handgrip Strength in Persons Living With HIV in United States, Thailand, and South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACPeople living with HIV had lower handgrip strength than age and gender reference norms at every age group. In women, strength decreased with age; low grip was not linked to medication adherence or physical, social, or pain scores.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Lagged effects of risk factors on the disability of older adults: A distributed lag non-linear model approach.International journal of nursing sciencesRisk factors for disability in older adults follow three distinct timelines. Functional limitations like walking difficulty cause immediate harm within one year, while conditions like depression and hospitalization exert a cumulative burden over three to four years.
• PTOTRCT2026Functional Activities to Optimize Patient Outcomes in Home Health: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAdding HARP to usual home health therapy showed no significant difference in daily task performance compared with usual therapy alone. The trend favored usual care.
• OTRCT2021Wearable vibrotactile stimulation for upper extremity rehabilitation in chronic stroke: clinical feasibility trial using the VTS Glove.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationWearing a vibrotactile glove three hours daily for eight weeks improved tactile perception and reduced finger spasticity compared with sham in 16 chronic stroke survivors. Some active range of motion also increased. This is a small feasibility trial.
• PTOTPilot2026Transcutaneous spinal stimulation with upper extremity robotic training in chronic stroke and spinal cord injury: individual neurophysiological and clinical responses.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding cervical transcutaneous spinal stimulation to arm robotic and grip training produced no clear group-level arm gains. Some people with chronic stroke or spinal cord injury showed individual improvements in grip, arm scores, tone, or sensation.
• PTOTRCT2026Tai Ji for stroke rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial on improving upper limb function and cortico-muscular coupling in stroke patients.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationStroke patients who added Tai Ji to standard medical treatment, health education, and upper limb rehabilitation had greater upper limb motor score gains after four weeks. Because Tai Ji was extra training, its unique effect is unclear.
• OTRCT2026Efficacy of a soft robotic exoskeleton for upper-limb rehabilitation in subacute stroke inpatient rehabilitation: a randomised controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn subacute inpatient stroke, adding a soft robotic glove to conventional occupational therapy did not improve upper-limb outcomes more than adding supervised GRASP with wrist support to conventional occupational therapy. Both groups improved similarly.
• PTOTCase-Control2026Thumb Positioning Modulates Median Nerve Mobility and Morphology During Postural Changes in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Implications for Nerve Gliding Exercises.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationThumb abduction reduced median nerve excursion in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, suggesting nerve gliding exercises should avoid overstretching the thumb during the final step to prevent neural strain.
• PTOTCase Report2026Ultrasound-Guided Alcohol Neurolysis for Poststroke Upper Limb Spasticity to Facilitate Arteriovenous Fistula Creation in Hemodialysis: A Case Report.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn one dialysis-dependent stroke survivor, ultrasound-guided alcohol neurolysis of arm nerves reduced spasticity and pain and improved positioning, allowing fistula creation. It was given with stretching, orthoses, strengthening, electrical stimulation and lidocaine, so its independent effect is unclear.
• PTOTCohort2026Association between 6-month changes in 4-m usual gait time and social function domain score among community-dwelling older adults: a secondary analysis of a community-based program.Journal of physical therapy scienceOver 6 months, older adults whose self-paced 4-m walking time slowed also showed worse social function scores. Walking time and social scores moved together, but the study did not show one caused the other.
• PTOTOther2026Rehabilitation Exercise Behaviors in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis: A Mixed-Methods Study on Multidimensional Determinants.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationMost patients on peritoneal dialysis wanted exercise, but only 42% did it regularly. Fear of complications, feeling fragile, and vague guidance blocked action. Therapists may need to give specific, safe, ongoing home plans and address family and community supports.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Hand injuries associated with mobile phone use: A systematic review.Work (Reading, Mass.)Review of 42 studies found hand conditions linked to phone use: De Quervain's tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, thumb or wrist pain, and less common tendon rupture or trigger finger. Evidence includes cross-sectional studies and case reports, so phone use alone cannot be proven a cause.
• PTOTCase Report2026Sequential Cryoneurolysis and Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy for Refractory Wrist Flexor Contracture: A Retrospective Case Series in Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPatients with chronic wrist flexor contracture had improved passive wrist extension after percutaneous needle tenotomy following cryoneurolysis. This small case series cannot prove benefit or separate the treatments' contributions.
• PTOTOther2026The value of performance-based tests in the assessment of patients with fibromyalgia: a construct validity and comprehensiveness analysis of a standardized test battery.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA four-test physical battery plus accelerometry accurately captured distinct aspects of fibromyalgia in 87 women. Physical capacity, daily activity, emotional distress and pain burden formed four separate domains, confirming the battery's validity for assessing function.
• OTCohort2026ICF Priorities and the Impact of Demographic Factors in a Paediatric Poststroke Population: An Observational Study.Child: care, health and developmentPriorities did not differ by sex, ethnicity or local deprivation. Post-stroke children and families most often raised everyday activities and participation. Body function and service concerns were more common in primary and high school.
• OTCohort2026Implementing Evidence-Based Somatosensory Rehabilitation After Stroke: Reported Practice, Documented Practice, and Barriers.Occupational therapy internationalOccupational therapists valued stroke sensory care, but most did not use standardized assessments. Files showed sensory assessment for 14 of 26 patients with upper limb impairment, and documented treatment for 7 of 12 with sensory impairment. Time, confidence, and resources were barriers.
• PTOTRCT2016Effects of functional and analytical strength training on upper-extremity activity after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.Brazilian journal of physical therapyFive weeks of home-based functional reaching-and-grasping practice improved arm activity more than analytical dumbbell lifting in chronic stroke, and the difference was still seen at 10 months. Strength, range of motion, motor control, and tone did not differ between groups.
• PTOTRCT2016Effect of mirror therapy on upper extremity motor function in stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of physical therapy scienceMirror therapy added to conventional stroke rehabilitation improved upper extremity movement ability more than the conventional program with a non-reflecting mirror, but did not improve Brunnstrom stages or self-care independence.
• PTOTOther2016Kinesio Taping® of the metacarpophalangeal joints and its effect on pain and hand function in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.The South African journal of physiotherapyIn older adults with rheumatoid arthritis, Kinesio Taping of the MCP joints reduced hand pain and increased MCP ulnar deviation, but did not improve grip strength or overall hand function. Joint protection workshops improved grip strength and some daily activities.
• PTOTCohort2016The effects of hand strength on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patients, with a focus on right hemiplegia.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn stroke patients with right hemiplegia, grip strength correlated with both upper extremity function and daily living independence. Pinch strength correlated with function but not with daily living tasks. Grip appears more critical for basic independence than finger pinch.
• OTCase Series2016Bioelectrical impedance analysis for severe stroke patients with upper extremity hemiplegia.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn severe stroke patients with arm paralysis, the paralyzed side had lower lean mass, body water, body cell mass, and hand strength than the other side. Bioimpedance values differed in the same direction as occupational assessments. Small case series cannot prove a test works.
• OTOther2016The correlation between proprioception and handwriting legibility in children.Journal of physical therapy scienceBetter kinesthetic sense correlated with more legible handwriting, but elbow joint position sense did not. The study included only 19 right-handed children aged 9 to 10, so it cannot guide treatment decisions.
• OTCase Report2016Effect of mental practice using inverse video of the unaffected upper limb in a subject with chronic hemiparesis after stroke.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn one man with chronic left hemiparesis, mental practice using an inverse video of his unaffected arm was paired with weekly outpatient OT. His upper limb movement scores and reported hand use improved, but this is one case, not proof.