TOPIC

Mental health research

Everything we have read on mental health. 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.

2,018 PAPERS · PAGE 18 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPPilot2022Temporal virtual reality-guided, dual-task, trunk balance training in a sitting position improves persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: proof of concept.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA single 10-minute virtual reality balance session improved dizziness scores and balance in people with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness. This proof-of-concept study cannot confirm the virtual reality alone caused the change, as all participants also took medication and did daily home exercises.
• OTSLPCohort2021Work and well-being: Vocational activity trajectories in young adults with autism spectrum disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchYoung adults with autism or other developmental delays tended to keep the same work or education path from ages 18 to 28. Those in independent activities had higher reported well-being than the No Activities and Volunteer groups.
• OTSLPOther2021Child Psychological Functioning During the COVID-19 Lockdown: An Ecological, Family-Centered Approach.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPDuring lockdown, children's internalizing problems linked to parent depression and poor attachment security. Externalizing problems linked to family chaos and dysfunction. Children's COVID-19 anxiety tracked with their own fear of being alone and their parents' anxiety, not family income.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of caregivers of autistic children and youth: A scoping review.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchCaregivers of autistic children reported severe stress from lost therapies and school closures. Parents managed by creating new routines and connecting online. Telehealth helped some families but failed those with limited access or complex needs. The review found no evidence that these remote adaptations actually improved child or parent outcomes.
• PTOTPilot2021The Impact of Sub-maximal Exercise on Neuropathic Pain, Inflammation, and Affect Among Adults With Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA single bout of arm-cranking exercise reduced neuropathic pain and improved mood in adults with spinal cord injury. Pain relief was larger and more consistent in those with tetraplegia. Those with paraplegia reported higher exertion, and their pain changes were less clear immediately after exercise.
• OTSurvey2021The association between COVID-19, personal wellbeing, depression, and suicide risk factors in Australian autistic adults.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchSelf-reported impact of the pandemic was not linked to suicide risk scores in autistic adults. Personal wellbeing was the only significant predictor of lower risk. Therapists should focus on building general life satisfaction rather than assuming pandemic stress directly drives suicidality.
• OTCohort2022Impact of Disclosure over Time on the Emotional Well-Being of Children with Perinatally Acquired HIV Infection in South Africa.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPGradual HIV disclosure with caregiver support did not appear to worsen emotional well-being over 18 months. Depression, anxiety, and behavior scores stayed low or decreased; HIV medicine adherence did not change.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Analysis of the SPARK study COVID-19 parent survey: Early impact of the pandemic on access to services, child/parent mental health, and benefits of online services.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchFamilies of children with autism reported severe service disruptions, especially for speech, OT, and PT. Parents of younger children and those with greater impairments or language delays saw the least benefit from online services. Low-income families hoped for future online options.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Individuals with FOXP1 syndrome present with a complex neurobehavioral profile with high rates of ADHD, anxiety, repetitive behaviors, and sensory symptoms.Molecular autismMost patients with FOXP1 syndrome have ADHD and anxiety, but only 23% receive treatment. Autism scores on standard tests are high, yet clinical consensus diagnoses it in just 24%. Therapists should prioritize managing attention and anxiety symptoms over relying solely on autism screening tools.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Longitudinal Smartphone-Based Post-hospitalisation Symptom Monitoring in SARS-CoV-2 Associated Respiratory Failure: A Multi-Centre Observational Study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesMost hospitalised patients recovered steadily over three months, but those who had an ICU stay showed a distinct flare-up in symptoms and depression around one month after discharge. Clinicians should schedule a systematic assessment at that time to catch this deterioration.
• OTSLPSurvey2021The impact of COVID-19 pandemic social restrictions on individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers in the Stateof Qatar: A cross-sectional study.Research in developmental disabilitiesAggression scores did not clearly change overall during Qatar's COVID-19 restrictions. Yet 24 of 58 caregivers of autistic individuals reported clinically meaningful rises in burden, especially caregivers of adults.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Parental engagement in early intervention for infants with cerebral palsy-A realist synthesis.Child: care, health and developmentWeekly face-to-face coaching and accessible home materials help parents stick with infant therapy. However, home programmes do not consistently improve infant motor skills, and parents often find the process stressful despite high adherence.
• PTOTOther2021Relating Global Cognition With Upper-Extremity Motor Skill Retention in Individuals With Mild-to-Moderate Parkinson's Disease.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHigher scores on a five-minute cognitive screen predicted better retention of an upper-extremity motor task nine days later in people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease. This held true regardless of whether they took their dopamine medication during training.
• 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.
• PTOTSLPOther2021An Inclusive Early Childhood Intervention Program for Children With Disabilities: Possible Effects on Children and Nursery Teachers.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChildren with disabilities in inclusive nursery schools showed improved development and fewer emotional and peer problems after teachers used a structured behavioral support program for six months. Teachers reported higher confidence and lower state anxiety. No control group was used, so natural maturation cannot be ruled out.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Proposing a Core Outcome Set for Physical Activity and Exercise Interventions in People With Rare Neurological Conditions.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesResearchers and patients agreed that trials of exercise for rare neurological conditions should measure participation and self-efficacy, not just physical function. They selected two questionnaires that capture daily life and confidence, which previous studies largely missed.
• OTPilot2022Gut mobilization improves behavioral symptoms and modulates urinary p-cresol in chronically constipated autistic children: A prospective study.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchTreating chronic constipation with daily PEG lowered hyperactivity, anxiety, and social deficits in autistic children. Gut mobilization improved behavior across all participants, though the study lacked a control group and blinding.
• PTOTSLPOther2021A Scoping Review of Barriers and Facilitators Affecting the Lives of People With Disabilities During COVID-19.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeople with disabilities faced worsened access to care and information, but telehealth and clear masks helped some. Therapists must ask about home internet, family support and safety before virtual care, and provide accessible communication.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Sex differences in age of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder: Preliminary evidence from Uganda.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn Ugandan clinics, girls were diagnosed with autism at an average of 7.75 years, compared to 6.60 years for boys. This delay suggests clinicians should screen girls more aggressively for social communication differences, as cultural expectations may mask their symptoms.
• OTSLPNarrative Review2021Child Maltreatment and the Child Welfare System as Environmental Factors in the International Classification of Functioning.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChild welfare involvement and maltreatment history are environmental factors that disrupt adolescent functioning. Clinicians should assess for dating violence, substance use, and sleep problems in these youth, recognizing that trauma symptoms often mediate these risks.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Co-occurring conditions and racial-ethnic disparities: Medicaid enrolled adults on the autism spectrum.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMedicaid-enrolled autistic adults had higher rates of most mental health conditions and several physical ones, but lower rates of others like stroke and cerebral palsy. Significant racial-ethnic disparities existed in both physical and mental health diagnoses compared to white autistic adults.
• OTSurvey2021Factors Associated with Quality of Life among Caregivers of People with Spinal Cord Injury.Occupational therapy internationalCaregivers of people with spinal cord injury reported lower quality of life when depression and caregiving burden were higher. Injury level also mattered. This helps occupational therapists target caregiver training and support, but it cannot show training improves outcomes.
• OTQualitative2021Identifying Occupational Therapy Research Priorities in Trinidad and Tobago: A Group Concept Mapping Study.Occupational therapy internationalOccupational therapists and students in Trinidad and Tobago prioritized research into public health sector roles and school-based services. They viewed these areas as most important but less feasible than practitioner development, which was rated highly feasible but least important.
• PTOTCohort2022Predictors of Productivity and Leisure for People Aging with Intellectual Disability.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieFor adults aging with intellectual disability, difficulty getting around the home environment was the strongest predictor of not engaging in work or leisure activities. Poor physical health and older age also predicted reduced engagement. Addressing home accessibility and physical health may sustain participation.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022The importance of home: Satisfaction with accommodation, neighborhood, and life in adults with autism.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMost autistic adults in this study lived independently, and they rated their homes and neighborhoods as satisfying as matched non-autistic adults. Sensory sensitivity did not predict accommodation satisfaction. However, independently living autistic adults reported significantly lower overall life satisfaction than the community group.
• OTRCT2021Impact of Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Combined with Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on the Cognitive Performance of Patients with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTAdding brain stimulation to occupational therapy improved visual memory and attention in men with schizophrenia, but did not change visuomotor organization or thinking operations. The benefit was limited to basic cognitive skills, not functional or higher-level abilities.
• OTOther2022Anxiety in Angelman Syndrome.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesCaregivers reported elevated anxiety in 26% of children with Angelman syndrome. Anxiety scores correlated with irritability, hyperactivity, and disruptive behaviors, but not with developmental or adaptive functioning levels. Genotype did not distinguish anxiety levels.
• OTSLPOther2022Daily Living Skills in Adolescent and Young Adult Males With Fragile X Syndrome.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesMales with fragile X syndrome aged 15 to 23 often did personal self-care independently but needed more help with chores, cooking, errands, and finances. Stronger nonverbal thinking and understanding sentences were linked to greater independence; anxiety was not.
• OTSLPOther2022Delineating the autistic phenotype in children with neurofibromatosis type 1.Molecular autismChildren with NF1 who screened positive for autism showed social communication deficits similar to idiopathic autism, but their repetitive behaviours were distinct. They rarely had motor stereotypies, but commonly showed insistence on sameness, such as difficulty with minor changes and noise sensitivity.
• PTOTCohort2022Balance factors affecting the quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.The South African journal of physiotherapyIn patients with knee osteoarthritis, greater body sway while standing was linked to lower quality of life scores in both physical and mental health. Other balance measures like reaction time did not correlate with quality of life. This suggests sway is a key marker for patient wellbeing.
• PTOTQualitative2022Intervention needs among hotel employees and managers.Work (Reading, Mass.)Hotel room cleaners and managers identified needs beyond clinical health programs, including fair pay, manageable workloads, and safety training for chemical hazards. Both groups preferred small, hands-on workshops over brochures, but disagreed on whether these could happen during work hours.
• OTCohort2022Quality of life and self-perceived health of adolescents in Middle School.CoDASAdolescents who rated their own health as good or excellent had higher quality of life scores. However, quality of life ratings dropped as age increased, suggesting older teens perceive their well-being differently than younger ones.
• OTSLPQualitative2022Managing communication changes in persons with multiple sclerosis: Findings from qualitative focus groups.International journal of language & communication disordersPeople with MS wanted routine communication assessment, practical information, affordable services, support groups, and clinicians who ask about communication and refer to speech pathology, psychology, OT and neuropsychology.
• OTOther2022Development of the Student Practice Evaluation Form - Revised (Second Edition) (SPEF-R2): The second action research cycle.Australian occupational therapy journalPractice educators rated the updated student evaluation form as clearer and easier to use than the previous version. They found it better reflected modern skills like cultural safety and self-management, with no students changing pass or fail results.
• PTOTCohort2022Time Course and Risk Profile of Work-Related Neck Disability: A Longitudinal Latent Class Growth Analysis.Physical therapyMost sonographers with neck pain improved slowly, but a third had fluctuating disability linked to low physical activity, poor psychosocial support, and central sensitization. Screen for these risks early to target interventions rather than adopting a wait-and-see approach for everyone.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Current and lifetime somatic symptom burden among transition-aged autistic young adults.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchTransition-aged autistic adults report high rates of fatigue, sleep problems, and pain, with females reporting significantly more symptoms than males. While these physical complaints strongly correlate with anxiety and depression, they do not independently predict lower quality of life once mental health is accounted for.
• OTSurvey2022Transition to the forced telework - a challenge for trade unions identified by the study on working life with COVID-19 in Latvia.Work (Reading, Mass.)This paper is not relevant to physical, occupational, or speech therapy practice. It surveys Latvian workers about trade union support for telework and reports no clinical outcomes.
• PTOTQualitative2022Decision-making experiences of health professionals in withdrawing treatment for children and young people: A qualitative study.Child: care, health and developmentHealth professionals described withdrawal decisions as slow, consensus-based processes requiring early palliative care input and full MDT attendance. Nurses and non-clinical staff acted as bridges to families, while consultants focused on biomedical facts. Support for fathers and staff well-being were identified as critical gaps.
• OTCohort2022Effectiveness of sensory modulation for people with schizophrenia: A multisite quantitative prospective cohort study.Australian occupational therapy journalSensory modulation did not improve outcomes more than standard care in 41 people with schizophrenia. Both groups improved similarly, so SM is not proven superior to usual treatment, though it may offer short-term distress relief as a complementary option.
• OTSurvey2022The Moderating Effect of Social Support on Parental Stress and Depression in Mothers of Children with Disabilities.Occupational therapy internationalAmong 164 mothers of children with disabilities, higher parenting stress was linked to higher depression. Mothers who felt more social support showed less depression at the same stress level. This is an association, not proof that adding support reduces depression.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022Play-based groups for children with cerebral palsy and their parents: A qualitative interview study about the impact on mothers' well-being.Child: care, health and developmentMothers of children with cerebral palsy valued play-based groups for practical help with therapy and education plans, and for connecting with others in similar situations. Some struggled to open up due to language barriers or guilt, showing the need for sensitive facilitation.
• OTSurvey2022Higher Rumination Tendency Is Associated with Reduced Positive Effects of Daily Activity Participation in People with Depressive Disorder.Occupational therapy internationalPeople with depression who reported more self-critical rumination spent more hours in meaningful daily activities but felt less involved, and their participation was more often driven by meeting others' expectations than by enjoying being with people.
• OTQualitative2022Understanding the occupational identity of care-givers for people with mental health problems.The British journal of occupational therapySix UK carers for adults with mental illness described losing jobs, hobbies and social ties due to stigma and poor service support. They regained some identity by carving out time for independent activities, though many felt trapped by obligation and lack of community care.
• OTOther2022Translation and Cultural Adaptation into Spanish of the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey.Occupational therapy internationalThe Spanish version of the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey is now ready for testing. Ten native speakers understood all 12 items without major changes, but the tool has not yet been validated for reliability or accuracy in clinical groups.
• OTQualitative2022Understanding occupational therapy practice in residential aged care facilities under the Aged Care Funding Instrument: A qualitative study.Australian occupational therapy journalSeven occupational therapists in Australian residential aged care described a funding system that rewarded documenting disability over independence. They reported being pressured to record residents as needing more help than they did, and to document pain massage sessions that were not actually delivered.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Risk factors for decline in gait speed during walking while talking in older adults.Gait & postureWalking speed while talking declined faster in older adults who were older, had poorer balance, or had faster single-task walking speeds. Poor balance was the strongest modifiable risk factor for this accelerated decline.
• OTSurvey2022Staffing agency: A bridge to working during retirement.Work (Reading, Mass.)Retired Swedish workers at a staffing agency reported low hours (mostly under 25 per month) and high job-switching. Men worked for social connection and well-being, while single women worked primarily out of economic necessity. Most valued new challenges and appreciation.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Autism and chronic ill health: an observational study of symptoms and diagnoses of central sensitivity syndromes in autistic adults.Molecular autismSixty percent of autistic adults scored high on a central sensitization screen, but only 31% of those had a formal diagnosis. Symptoms were strongly linked to anxiety and sensory sensitivity rather than autism traits alone, suggesting these factors drive physical health risks.
• OTQualitative2022Occupational Therapy-Based Energy Management Education in People with Post-COVID-19 Condition-Related Fatigue: Results from a Focus Group Discussion.Occupational therapy internationalNine OTs said energy management education was relevant for post-COVID fatigue, but they reported patients often struggled to see new physical and cognitive limits. They suggested adapting materials and starting with one-to-one contact before group use.
• OTSLPOther2022The Impact of Preinjury and Secondary Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on Outcomes After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPAdolescents with traumatic brain injury and either pre-existing or new-onset ADHD showed similar deficits in executive function, social competence, and behavior. However, parents of teens with new-onset ADHD reported significantly higher depression and distress, particularly when the injury was more than four months prior.