TOPIC

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 12 OF 27 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTCase Report2022Competitive motivation increased home use and improved prosthesis self-perception after Cybathlon 2020 for neuromusculoskeletal prosthesis user.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFor one prosthesis user, Cybathlon training and competition were followed by more active home use and feeling more positive about the arm. He said tasks like tying shoes became possible, but this is one case, not proof the event works for others.
• PTOTSLPRCT2022Changes in Perceived Impact of Stroke on Everyday Life over Five Years in a Rehabilitation Sample that Received an Activity of Daily Living Intervention: A Follow-Up Study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineFive years after stroke, patients reported better participation in daily life than at three months, regardless of whether they received client-centred or usual ADL training. However, perceived impact on communication, mobility, and hand function worsened over time in the client-centred group.
• PTOTOther2022Assessing Impairments in Visuomotor Adaptation After Stroke.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairStroke survivors adapt less to visual errors and need more practice than controls. Those with dominant-arm damage struggle most. Adaptation scores correlate with Fugl-Meyer and FIM, but clinical scales miss half the deficits, so motor learning issues may exist despite normal functional scores.
• OTSLPCase-Control2022Spatial Hearing Difficulties in Reaching Space in Bilateral Cochlear Implant Children Improve With Head Movements.Ear and hearingBilateral cochlear implant children struggled with front-back sound location and distance, but allowing head movements significantly improved their accuracy. Clinicians should encourage active head orientation during listening tasks rather than enforcing stillness, as this natural behavior helps resolve spatial confusion.
• PTOTOther2022Wrist-based accelerometer cut-points for quantifying moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity in Parkinson's disease.Gait & posturePeople with Parkinson's need a wrist accelerometer cut-point of 2,883 counts per minute to flag moderate-to-vigorous activity, versus 4,389 for healthy adults. Using the standard higher threshold undercounts their activity because their movement is less efficient.
• PTOTPilot2021Identifying preventative measures against frailty, locomotive syndrome, and sarcopenia in young adults: a pilot study.Journal of physical therapy scienceMost healthy young adults in this pilot showed signs of pre-frailty or low muscle mass, but very few had actual sarcopenia or severe mobility loss. The findings suggest monitoring muscle mass early, though the small, young sample limits broad application.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2022New technologies promoting active upper limb rehabilitation after stroke: an overview and network meta-analysis.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineVirtual reality and robot-assisted therapy improved upper-limb motor function more than conventional therapy in both subacute and chronic stroke. Telerehabilitation matched conventional therapy. Choose robots for severe impairment early on, and virtual reality for milder cases or later stages.
• OTCase Report2022Design-development of an at-home modular brain-computer interface (BCI) platform in a case study of cervical spinal cord injury.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn a person with cervical spinal cord injury, an implanted brain-to-glove system worked at home, with hand-grasp commands classified correctly 87.53% of the time over a year without recalibration. This is feasibility, not proof of benefit.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2021Physique, range of motion, and gross muscle strength in hemiplegic para swimmers: a cross-sectional case series.Journal of physical therapy scienceHemiplegic swimmers showed significantly smaller arm circumference and restricted shoulder and ankle range of motion on their affected side compared to swimmers with vision impairment. They also had reduced lower-limb strength on their unaffected side and poor streamlined posture.
• PTOTRCT2022Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Pilot Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCerebellar tDCS did not improve motor sequence learning speed in children with DCD. Accuracy showed only an unconfirmed improvement.
• PTOTPilot2022Rehabilitation of Upper Extremity by Telerehabilitation Combined With Exergames in Survivors of Chronic Stroke: Preliminary Findings From a Feasibility Clinical Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesHome-based VR games with clinician video supervision were feasible for 9 chronic stroke survivors. Two of four in the VR group improved motor function enough to be clinically meaningful, matching the conventional hand exercise group. Use requires basic computer skills or caregiver support.
• PTOTRCT2022Bilateral Movement-based Computer Games Improve Sensorimotor Functions in Subacute Stroke Survivors.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdding 30 minutes of bilateral computer gaming to standard therapy improved arm movement and daily function in subacute stroke survivors more than video exercises alone. The gaming group showed greater gains in upper limb impairment and activity scores, with benefits lasting one month after treatment ended.
• PTOTOther2021The effect of static stretching on key hits and subjective fatigue in eSports.Journal of physical therapy scienceA 20-second forearm stretch restored finger tapping speed to baseline for the first 10 seconds after fatigue. This benefit appeared in 7 of 15 participants, who were those with higher initial speed. Subjective fatigue scores did not improve.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Muscle strength and executive function in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchChildren with autism showed lower muscle strength and poorer executive function than healthy peers. Higher muscle strength predicted better executive function specifically in the autism group, but not in healthy children. BMI was unrelated to these outcomes.
• PTOTCase Report2022Benefits of the Cybathlon 2020 experience for a prosthetic hand user: a case study on the Hannes system.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationOne amputee trained for a prosthetic race improved more in function and embodiment than another who only used the device at home. The racing pilot felt the hand was more part of his body, while the home-use pilot’s balance worsened.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2022Short and long-term effects of robot-assisted therapy on upper limb motor function and activity of daily living in patients post-stroke: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn adults after stroke, robot-assisted upper-limb training improved motor control and daily activity right after treatment compared with non-robotic therapy, but the advantage was not still present at follow-up.
• PTOTNarrative Review2022Soft robotics and functional electrical stimulation advances for restoring hand function in people with SCI: a narrative review, clinical guidelines and future directions.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSoft robotic gloves and functional electrical stimulation show promise for hand recovery in spinal cord injury, but most devices remain experimental prototypes with limited clinical validation. Clinicians should view these technologies as emerging aids rather than established treatments.
• PTOTSLPRCT2022Effects of ATLAS 2030 gait exoskeleton on strength and range of motion in children with spinal muscular atrophy II: a case series.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThree non-ambulatory children with SMA type II showed increased lower limb strength and range of motion after ten sessions with the ATLAS 2030 exoskeleton. Hip extension and knee flexion improved most. Without a control group, these gains cannot be separated from natural variation or concurrent stretching.
• PTOTRCT2022Intermittent theta burst stimulation modulates biceps brachii corticomotor excitability in individuals with tetraplegia.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIntermittent theta burst stimulation increased biceps excitability in people with tetraplegia but not in healthy controls. The response varied based on individual motor threshold ratios, suggesting this stimulation could prime the nervous system before therapy for some patients.
• PTOTPilot2022Development of a single device to quantify motor impairments of the elbow: proof of concept.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA robotic device measured elbow weakness, synergy, elasticity, and spasticity in ten stroke patients within one hour. Every patient showed at least one impairment outside the healthy range. The device is feasible for quantifying these deficits, but it is not yet proven reliable or valid.
• OTOther2022Experience of adults with upper-limb difference and their views on sensory feedback for prostheses: a mixed methods study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdults with upper-limb differences said the value of prosthetic sensory feedback would be trust in the device, not a new sensation. They wanted reliable, comfortable, adjustable feedback that complements vision and socket cues.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Upper limb soft robotic wearable devices: a systematic review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMost upper-limb soft robotic suits are still prototypes tested on healthy people, not patients. Only one study showed motor recovery in stroke survivors. These devices are not ready for clinical use, and their real-world benefit for daily tasks remains unproven.
• PTOTPilot2022Feasibility and Potential Effects of Robot-Assisted Passive Range of Motion Training in Combination with Conventional Rehabilitation on Hand Function in Patients with Chronic Stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineTwelve chronic stroke patients who received robot-assisted passive finger movement before conventional hand therapy showed improved hand strength and function. However, the study had no control group and a very small sample, so it is impossible to tell if the robot caused the improvement or if standard therapy alone would have achieved the same result.
• OTPilot2022Evaluating surface EMG control of motorized wheelchairs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFour patients with ALS and limited hand dexterity used jaw muscle sensors to drive a wheelchair. Three who had lost independent control rated the system as very much improved. This is a small pilot, so it shows the device is usable, not that it works better than other options.
• PTOTOther2022Mobility-Focused Physical Outcome Measures Over Telecommunication Technology (Zoom): Intra and Interrater Reliability Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesGrip strength and functional reach scores match in-person results when done over Zoom. Timed tests like the 3-meter walk are unreliable because of lag, recording times about 1 second slower than in-person checks.
• PTOTSLPPilot2022Regional cerebral blood perfusion changes in chronic stroke survivors as potential brain correlates of the functional outcome following gamified home-based rehabilitation (IntelliRehab)-a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn eight chronic stroke survivors, three months of gamified home rehabilitation improved arm function scores. Brain blood flow changed in specific regions, but these changes did not correlate with the functional gains. The study cannot prove the software caused the improvement, as all participants also received conventional rehabilitation.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Differences in preoperative function and outcome of patients with versus without sarcopenia after total hip arthroplasty.Journal of physical therapy scienceSarcopenia was found in 2 of 25 hip arthroplasty patients. These two patients had lower muscle mass and grip strength, and both needed transfer to a convalescent hospital rather than going home. No statistical comparison was possible.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Differences in the production and perception of communicative kinematics in autism.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic adults produced gestures with different timing and recognized them with equal accuracy but slower speed than neurotypical adults. Complex, repetitive gestures helped neurotypical recognition but hindered autistic recognition. This reflects different processing strategies rather than a deficit in understanding gestures.
• PTOTPilot2021Changes in Cortical Activity in Stroke Survivors Undergoing Botulinum Neurotoxin Therapy for Treatment of Focal Spasticity.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesNine stroke survivors showed increased brain activity in motor areas after botulinum toxin injections. However, the average improvement in arm function was smaller than the threshold considered clinically meaningful. This suggests the brain changes may not translate to noticeable functional gains for most patients.
• PTOTCohort2021The Association of Physical Function Measures With Frailty, Falls History, and Metabolic Syndrome in a Population With Complex Obesity.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPatients with complex obesity showed physical function typical of people twenty years older. Frailty was rare but linked to falls, while metabolic syndrome was common but not linked to frailty. Screening for falls risk and frailty should be routine in this group.
• PTOTRCT2021Effectiveness of Lymphedema Prevention Programs With Compression Garment After Lymphatic Node Dissection in Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAdding prophylactic compression garments to standard education and exercise did not significantly lower lymphedema rates at 2 years compared to standard care alone. However, patients who wore the garment daily for 8 hours in the first 3 months had significantly lower incidence than those who did not.
• PTOTCohort2021The Association Between Sarcopenia and Functional Improvement in Older and Younger Patients Who Completed Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Prospective Cohort Study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOlder patients with sarcopenia were associated with greater functional improvement during inpatient rehabilitation than older patients without sarcopenia. Younger patients showed no clear difference, and goal attainment scores also showed no clear difference.
• PTOTCohort2022Analysis of factors influencing patient satisfaction after total hip arthroplasty in a Japanese cohort: the significant effect of postoperative physical activity.Journal of physical therapy sciencePostoperative physical activity levels, not mental health scores, were the strongest factors linked to patient satisfaction after hip replacement. Patients who reported higher activity levels and demonstrated greater hip abductor strength were significantly more likely to be very satisfied.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2021When Spinal Neuromodulation Meets Sensorimotor Rehabilitation: Lessons Learned From Animal Models to Regain Manual Dexterity After a Spinal Cord Injury.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThis review synthesizes animal and early human data showing cervical spinal stimulation may aid hand recovery, but only when paired with specific rehabilitation. Stimulation alone is not a cure; optimal training intensity and timing remain undefined.
• PTOTCohort2022The relationship between depression, anxiety, and pain interference with therapy referral and utilization among patients with hand conditions.Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand TherapistsDepression, anxiety, and pain interference scores were not associated with referral to hand therapy. Traumatic conditions were referred more often. Among treated patients, high depression tracked with fewer long-term goals, but this study did not prove that depression caused poorer goal attainment.
• OTOther2022Thumb carpometacarpal palmar and radial abduction in adults with thumb carpometacarpal joint pain: Inter-rater reliability and precision of the inter-metacarpal distance method.Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand TherapistsUsing a digital caliper to measure the distance between thumb and index finger metacarpals showed excellent agreement between therapists. This method is more reliable than goniometry for assessing thumb abduction in patients with carpometacarpal joint pain.
• PTOTCase Report2021Case Report: Bionic Reconstruction in an Adult With Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOne adult with lifelong severe obstetric brachial plexus injury reported better arm use after a package of surgery, prosthetic fitting, and rehabilitation. Scores improved, but this is one person, not evidence that the approach works for others.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Early visual training and environmental adaptation for infants with visual impairment.Developmental medicine and child neurologyInfants with visual impairment who received intensive visual training improved in eye control and hand-eye coordination compared to those who received only routine care. Both groups improved in visual acuity. The training required at least three sessions per week for six months.
• OTCase Series2022Using Subthreshold Vibratory Stimulation During Poststroke Rehabilitation Therapy: A Case Series.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthFour stroke survivors used a wearable wristband delivering imperceptible vibration during six weeks of therapy. They showed continuous improvement in arm function and daily use without safety issues. This small series cannot prove the device works, but suggests it is feasible for longer trials.
• PTOTRCT2022Embodiment, tailoring, and trust are important for co-construction of meaning in physiotherapy after stroke: A qualitative study.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyStroke survivors valued trust and engagement over specific exercises. They wanted to be pushed and corrected, interpreting exertion as progress. Assessment and goal-setting were often tacit, with patients trusting therapists to decide what mattered, rather than seeking explicit explanations.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Sensory-Based Priming for Upper Extremity Hemiparesis After Stroke: A Scoping Review.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthMost studies found that adding sensory priming to motor training improved arm function in stroke patients. However, protocols varied wildly in dose and method, and many were small pilots, so there is no single proven recipe to copy yet.
• PTOTOther2022Concurrent validity and precision of the thumb disability examination (TDX) in first carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand TherapistsIn 16 adults with thumb CMC osteoarthritis, the TDX agreed with the bMHQ. Total score changes above about 17 points on a 0 to 100 scale may reflect real change, but the pain subscale was less precise.
• OTQualitative2022Work transitions after serious hand injury: Current occupational therapy practice in a middle-income country.Australian occupational therapy journalSouth African OTs prioritized matching job demands to function over pure restoration. They engaged employers early to secure graded return-to-work and accommodations, treating the employer as a partner to protect clients' income in a high-unemployment context.
• OTCase Report2021The effects of dry needling on the thumb: A case report.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTA single patient with post-surgical thumb pain and stiffness improved thumb opposition and reduced pain after dry needling. The change occurred during concurrent occupational therapy, so dry needling's specific contribution cannot be separated from the overall treatment.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Adaptations in Muscular Strength for Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis Following Robotic Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesRobot-assisted lower-limb training increased leg strength in all three lower-limb studies; one of two upper-limb studies increased grip force. Strength was not the main target in these five small studies, so it is not proven as a stand-alone strength treatment.
• PTOTRCT2021The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Proprioception and Motor Function for Individuals with Moderate Parkinson Disease: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.Occupational therapy internationalWhole-body vibration did not improve proprioception or outperform conventional therapy in moderate Parkinson's disease. Both groups showed short-term gains in motor function and balance, suggesting vibration is a viable passive alternative for those unable to engage in active movement.
• OTSurvey2022Occupational therapy service provision in adult intensive care units in Australia: A survey of workload practices, interventions and barriers.Australian occupational therapy journalMost Australian ICU therapists work ad hoc with no formal service arrangement. Staffing shortages are the main barrier. Common daily tasks include bed-based self-care retraining and movement, but structured outcome measures and mental health interventions are rarely used.
• OTRCT2022A Haptic Sleeve as a Method of Mechanotactile Feedback Restoration for Myoelectric Hand Prosthesis Users.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHaptic forearm feedback improved grasp success and reduced energy expenditure compared with vision alone in eight able-bodied volunteers operating a myoelectric hand. It is a prototype, not tested in amputees.
• PTOTQualitative2022Designing a trial of early electrical stimulation to the stroke-affected arm: Qualitative findings on the barriers and facilitators.The British journal of occupational therapyTherapists perceived time and lack of confidence as major barriers to early electrical stimulation, but patients confidently self-managed the treatment and found it acceptable. Patients reported insufficient staff support due to ward pressures. This highlights a disconnect between clinician concerns and patient experience.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2022Somesthetic, Visual, and Auditory Feedback and Their Interactions Applied to Upper Limb Neurorehabilitation Technology: A Narrative Review to Facilitate Contextualization of Knowledge.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAugmented sensory feedback can support upper limb stroke recovery, but more is not always better. Match feedback type to the patient's specific deficits and task complexity, and fade it over time to avoid dependency and maintain challenge.