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 13 OF 27 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTCase Report2022Brain-Computer Interface Priming for Cervical Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy: An Exploratory Case Study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn one person with chronic cervical spinal cord injury, adding brain-computer interface priming before spinal cord stimulation did not clearly improve hand function more than stimulation alone. Gains occurred in both phases, but independence in daily activities did not change.
• PTOTCohort2022Features of older community-dwelling adults with osteosarcopenia requiring support or care.Journal of physical therapy scienceAmong 141 older adults requiring support or care, 43.3% had osteosarcopenia. This group had significantly worse physical performance, lower nutrition scores, and higher care needs than those with only sarcopenia or only osteopenia. Screening for both bone and muscle loss may identify those at greatest risk.
• OTSLPOther2022Hearing handicap and frailty in community-dwelling older adults living.CoDASFrail and pre-frail older adults in this community reported more hearing handicap than non-frail adults. The relationship was weak, and the study cannot show hearing handicap causes frailty.
• PTOTOther2022Optimization of machine learning method combined with brain-computer interface rehabilitation system.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 8 stroke patients, 4 weeks of brain-computer interface training with a robot improved upper limb scores and reduced spasticity. Brain imaging suggested neural reshaping, but the tiny sample and lack of a control group mean this is a technical proof of concept, not evidence of efficacy.
• OTOther2022Daily living skills of autistic adolescents and young adults: A scoping review.Australian occupational therapy journalMost research on daily living skills for autistic adolescents and young adults focuses on short-term gains in school settings. This leaves therapists without evidence that skills generalise to home or community, or that they last beyond six months.
• PTOTPilot2022SAfety and Feasibility of EArly Resistance Training After Median Sternotomy: The SAFE-ARMS Study.Physical therapyTwelve participants with complete data performed supervised bilateral machine resistance training tested at 2, 8, and 14 weeks after sternotomy. No upper limb exercise exceeded 2.0 mm sternal micromotion, and no sternal pain increase was reported.
• PTOTRCT2022Effectiveness of Repetitive Facilitative Exercise Combined with Electrical Stimulation Therapy to Improve Very Severe Paretic Upper Limbs in with Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Occupational therapy internationalPatients with very severe arm paralysis who combined repetitive exercise with electrical stimulation showed greater gains in hand and finger function than those receiving conventional therapy alone. No other treatment group improved significantly more than the control, and proximal shoulder function did not differ between groups.
• PTOTCohort2022A Prediction Model for Various Treatment Pathways of Upper Extremity in Tetraplegia.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesMotor point mapping and ASIA scores taken 4 to 8 weeks after cervical spinal cord injury predict hand muscle strength at 6 months. Intact lower motor neurons and AIS C or D scores strongly indicate that patients will develop useful voluntary movement.
• PTOTOther2022Reliability and Validity of the ActivForce Digital Dynamometer in Assessing Shoulder Muscle Force across Different User Experience Levels.International journal of sports physical therapyThe ActivForce dynamometer is a reliable, affordable alternative to the standard microFET2 for measuring shoulder strength. It performed consistently across experienced and novice testers, and patients found it more comfortable.
• OTQualitative2022Work-related musculoskeletal complaints among haemodialysis nurses: An exploratory study of the work situation from an ergonomic perspective.Work (Reading, Mass.)Nurses identified eight tasks straining their hands and backs, including flushing accesses up to 15 times and moving heavy machines. They reported pain in specific fingers depending on the dialysis machine design. This is an observation of hazards, not proof that changing tasks reduces pain.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental correlates of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary time in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRAdolescents with intellectual disabilities matched their parents' activity levels. For every 10 minutes a parent moved, the teen achieved about 6 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity. This link was strongest in teens with Down syndrome or autism, suggesting family-based movement is key.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Eating and drinking ability and nutritional status in adults with cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyNearly a third of adults with cerebral palsy have eating and drinking difficulties. Those needing help at meals weighed significantly less, even after adjusting for motor function. Low body weight is linked to mealtime dependence, not just physical disability.
• PTOTRCT2022The effect of median nerve mobilization on two point discrimination.Journal of physical therapy scienceMedian nerve mobilization improved two-point discrimination in the palm, but fingers improved in both the treatment and control groups. The finger gains likely reflect practice effects rather than the mobilization itself. Only the palm changes appear attributable to the nerve gliding.
• PTOTOther2022Physical function and health-related quality of life of community-dwelling older adults with locomotive syndrome and pre-frailty.Journal of physical therapy scienceOlder adults with locomotive syndrome and pre-frailty had lower health-related quality of life and slower sit-to-stand than robust peers. Those with locomotive syndrome alone had poorer mobility test scores and slower walking, but similar quality of life.
• PTOTOther2022Biomechanical assessment of the ipsilesional upper limb in post-stroke patients during multi-joint reaching tasks: A quantitative study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesStroke patients show measurable movement deficits in their 'unaffected' arm. These deficits are worse in patients with severe weakness on the other side and do not fully resolve by the subacute stage. Clinicians should assess and treat the non-paralyzed arm.
• PTOTOther2022Motor skills predict adaptive behavior in autistic children and adolescents.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMotor skills, especially manual dexterity, were associated with adaptive behavior scores in autistic children and adolescents even when IQ and autism severity were considered. Higher movement or manual dexterity scores went with higher daily living, communication, and socialization scores.
• PTOTRCT2022Effect of a tailored upper extremity strength training intervention combined with direct current stimulation in chronic stroke survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTailoring strength training intensity to individual brain excitability markers improved arm function and grip in chronic stroke survivors. Adding anodal tDCS provided no further benefit. The training gains occurred regardless of whether participants received real or sham stimulation.
• PTOTCase-Control2022Use of the Tokyo Cognitive Assessment for mild cognitive impairment to characterize elderly people that use day care services in Japan.Journal of physical therapy scienceDay care users showed slower walking and lower cognitive scores than healthy elders, but many cognitive sub-items were preserved. The overall test score is a rough guide; specific sub-item patterns matter more for detecting impairment.
• OTOther2022Cross-cultural adaptation and reliability of the Arabic version of Children's Hand-use Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ).Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTThe Arabic hand-use questionnaire became understandable and repeatable for Jordanian children with one-hand dysfunction after wording changes. Knife-and-fork and card activities fit local daily life less well.
• OTRCT2022Effects of Combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Bilateral Upper Limb Training in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Occupational therapy internationalAdding cognitive behavioral therapy to bilateral upper limb training reduced depression, anxiety, and negative thoughts in stroke patients. It did not improve upper limb function more than conventional therapy, but it did increase patient satisfaction with their performance.
• PTOTCohort2022Geriatric Vulnerabilities Among Obese Older Adults With and Without Sarcopenia: Findings From a Nationally Representative Cohort Study.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)Obese older adults with sarcopenia had 6.4 times the odds of being frail and twice the odds of social isolation, depression, and pain compared to obese peers without sarcopenia. Screen for these vulnerabilities before prescribing weight loss or exercise.
• OTSurvey2023Factors influencing perceived function in the upper limb prosthesis user population.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationPerceived function in upper limb prosthesis users was associated with satisfaction, pain with prosthesis, and proximal amputation level. It was not associated with age, education, gender, employment status, or prosthesis type.
• PTOTCohort2022The association between sleep deficits and sedentary behavior in people with mild Parkinson disease.Disability and rehabilitationPeople with mild Parkinson disease slept less and were more sedentary than healthy adults. More sleep linked to less sitting time in both groups. But sleep did not predict step count or active minutes. Treat sitting and moving as separate issues when addressing sleep.
• OTOther2022The association between hand disease severity and fatigue in individuals with systemic sclerosis: a scoping review.Disability and rehabilitationJoint involvement was the hand disease severity element most linked to fatigue in systemic sclerosis. Digital ulcers themselves were not linked to fatigue, but their perceived interference with daily activities was.
• PTOTRCT2022Music Upper Limb Therapy-Integrated Provides a Feasible Enriched Environment and Reduces Post-stroke Depression: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationGroup music therapy reduced depression and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor compared to home exercises. However, home exercises improved actual motor function and sensation, while music therapy only improved self-perceived recovery. Neither was superior on the primary motor outcome.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Exploring Social Support for Women Coping with a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme after Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.Journal of rehabilitation medicineWomen with heart disease often skip rehab to protect families from worry or resume housework. Support from spouses and peers helps them attend. Therapists should assess caregiving burdens and consider women-only groups to address these social barriers.
• PTOTPilot2022Art skill-based rehabilitation training for upper limb sensorimotor recovery post-stroke: A feasibility study.Clinical rehabilitationStroke patients in inpatient rehab completed high-intensity drawing tasks delivered by trained non-clinicians. Participants with severe arm weakness and cognitive impairment tolerated the program well, with 93% satisfaction and no new adverse events. This suggests art-based training is feasible as an adjunct to standard care.
• PTOTCohort2022Five-Year Cumulative Incidence of Axillary Web Syndrome and Comparison in Upper Extremity Movement, Function, Pain, and Lymphedema in Survivors of Breast Cancer With and Without Axillary Web Syndrome.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationAxillary web syndrome persisted in 50% of survivors five years after breast cancer surgery. While function and pain did not differ between those with and without the condition, survivors with AWS had significantly reduced shoulder abduction range of motion both early and late post-surgery.
• PTOTOther2023Assessment of Patient-Reported Physical Function in Persons With Upper Extremity Amputation: Comparison of Short Form Instruments.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationThe 13-item PROMIS Upper Extremity measure scored with amputation-specific calibration outperformed the standard 7-item version. It provided more reliable scores across a wider range of function, though it failed to distinguish between prosthesis users and non-users.
• PTOTOther2023Spasticity-related pain in children/adolescents with cerebral palsy. Part 2: IncobotulinumtoxinA efficacy results from a pooled analysis.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineChildren with cerebral palsy reported less spasticity-related pain after incobotulinumtoxinA injections, with relief deepening over four cycles. By the fourth cycle, 33.8% were pain-free during hard tasks. Without a placebo group, some improvement may reflect natural variation rather than the drug alone.
• PTOTCohort2023Natural Course of Muscular Strength, Physical Performance, and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost hospitalized COVID-19 patients improved over 12 weeks, but sit-to-stand speed remained slow in many. Hand grip strength was normal in almost all, so lower-limb function lagged behind.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Telehealth and Remote Interventions for Children With Cerebral Palsy: Scoping Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesEvidence for telehealth in children with cerebral palsy is scarce and of poor quality, primarily from underpowered pilots. While aggregate results suggest telehealth may match or improve face-to-face care for hand function, clinical recommendations are not possible due to methodological flaws and inconsistent outcome measures.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2022Compliance with Upper Limb Home-Based Exergaming Interventions for Stroke Patients: A Narrative Review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineHome exergaming compliance varies widely because prescriptions are inconsistent and technical barriers are common. Patients often exceed time limits if allowed, but drop out due to pain, fatigue, or hardware failure. Successful programmes need familiarization, remote support, and realistic dosing to sustain engagement.
• PTOTRCT2022Goal Attainment after Treatment with Abobotulinumtoxina and a Tailored Home Therapy Programme in Children with Upper Limb Spasticity: Descriptive, Exploratory Analysis of a Large Randomized, Controlled Study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineChildren achieved their upper limb goals when botulinum toxin was paired with a tailored home therapy programme. Goal attainment was generally maintained across three treatment cycles, but dropped below expectations in the fourth cycle for children with more severe motor impairment.
• PTOTCohort2022Ultrasound Assessment of Changes in Muscle Architecture of the Brachialis Muscle After Stroke-A Prospective Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn the first 7 months after stroke, the brachialis muscle on the affected arm thinned and its quality worsened, while the unaffected arm stayed stable. Older patients lost more muscle. Spasticity appeared to temporarily protect muscle mass at 1 month, but this faded by 6 months.
• PTOTPilot2022Hand Use and Grasp Sensor System in Monitoring Infant Fine Motor Development.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA sensor-equipped toy system tracked 12 infants at home and captured how their grasping changed as they grew. Peak force, grasp duration, and bimanual use increased with age, while force variability and hand-use asymmetry decreased, mirroring typical fine motor maturation.
• PTOTCohort2022Development and Validation of a Nomogram to Predict Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain in Patients With Stroke: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA prediction tool using five admission findings accurately forecasts hemiplegic shoulder pain in stroke patients. Shoulder subluxation, low Brunnstrom stage, sensory loss, spasticity, and hand edema each independently raise risk, allowing clinicians to identify high-risk patients early.
• OTOther2022Testing Precision and Accuracy of an Upper Extremity Proprioceptive Targeting Task Assessment.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationClosing the eyes made upper limb targeting much less accurate and consistent in healthy right-handed adults. With eyes closed, both hands performed similarly, so one hand can serve as the other hand's comparison.
• PTOTNarrative Review2022Understanding and Measuring the Cognitive Load of Amputees for Rehabilitation and Prosthesis Development.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationAmputees experience extra mental strain from emotional fatigue and neural fatigue, not just physical effort. There is no standard clinical test to measure this load yet. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy shows promise for measuring it during actual prosthesis use.
• OTRCT2022Effects of Alternating Bilateral Training Between Non-Paretic and Paretic Upper Limbs in Patients with Hemiparetic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAlternating training between hands did not improve paretic hand speed more than paretic-only training overall. However, it significantly improved non-paretic hand speed. Subgroup analysis suggested alternating training helped paretic hand speed only in patients with left hemiparesis, but this requires confirmation.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022"Sympathy" vs."Empathy": Comparing experiences of I2Audits and disability simulations.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesParticipants described disability simulations as embarrassing and sympathy-inducing, while I2Audits were seen as empowering because people with disabilities led them. This qualitative study suggests shifting from mimicking disability to partnering with disabled community members for environmental change.
• PTOTRCT2022Multi-center, single-blind randomized controlled trial comparing functional electrical stimulation therapy to conventional therapy in incomplete tetraplegia.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesFunctional electrical stimulation was not better than conventional therapy for self-care independence. Both groups improved by about 2 points, a meaningful change, but there was no significant difference between them. The study was underpowered due to pandemic interruptions.
• PTOTRCT2023Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Rehabilitation for Upper Limb Motor Impairment and Function After Chronic Ischemic Stroke: Subgroup Analysis of the Randomized, Blinded, Pivotal, VNS-REHAB Device Trial.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairPairing vagus nerve stimulation with rehabilitation improved arm function more than sham stimulation, and this benefit was consistent across age, sex, time since stroke, and impairment severity. You do not need to screen for specific subgroups to predict who will respond.
• PTOTOther2023Ultrasound Assessment of Spastic Muscles in Ambulatory Chronic Stroke Survivors Reveals Function-Dependent Changes.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAmbulatory chronic stroke survivors had thinner muscles on the affected side than on the unaffected side, especially in the arm. Greater wrist flexor muscle loss tracked weaker grip, and greater thigh muscle loss tracked worse walking times.
• PTOTRCT2022Feasibility and psychophysical effects of immersive virtual reality-based mirror therapy.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationEleven stroke survivors completed an immersive VR mirror therapy pilot with no adverse events. Nine showed motor improvement, and participants reported high concentration and acceptance. This demonstrates feasibility for a larger trial, not proven efficacy.
• PTOTOther2022Quantitative measurement of resistance force and subsequent attenuation during passive isokinetic extension of the wrist in patients with mild to moderate spasticity after stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA custom wrist device measured spasticity in 17 stroke patients. It found no link between peak resistance and clinical scores, but the rate of force drop-off correlated with severity, especially when finger spasticity was included in the assessment.
• PTOTOther2022A unified scheme for the benchmarking of upper limb functions in neurological disorders.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThis paper proposes a standardized framework for assessing upper limb movement using sensors and robots. It defines specific motor skills, abilities, and measurement protocols for research and clinical use. The framework has not yet been tested in patients, so it is a proposal for future validation rather than a proven assessment tool.
• PTOTCohort2023Responsiveness and trajectory of changes in the rating of everyday arm-use in the community and home (REACH) scale over the first-year post-stroke.Clinical rehabilitationAbout 87% of participants used their affected arm more by 12 months, with the biggest gains by three months. People with severe baseline arm weakness started lower and improved differently. Arm-use scores changed with arm capacity and self-reported change.
• PTOTCohort2023Time-matched accelerometers on limbs and waist in children with CP give new insights into real-life activities after botulinum toxin treatment: A proof of concept study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineAfter botulinum toxin injections plus home training, children with cerebral palsy walked less from three weeks through three months. In children injected in an arm, the more affected arm was not used more; the better arm was used more.
• PTOTRCT2023Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on upper-limb impairment after stroke: A randomized, controlled, single-blind trial.Clinical rehabilitationAdding transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation to standard stroke rehabilitation did not improve upper limb motor recovery more than sham stimulation. The primary outcome showed no significant difference between groups.