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 24 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPPilot2023Promoting Resilience After Stroke in Dyads (ReStoreD): A Supplemental Analysis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationResilience scores improved significantly in people with stroke after a 8-week dyadic activity programme. Care partners showed no significant change. The waitlist control group dropped out, so the analysis was single-arm and cannot confirm the programme caused the improvement.
• PTOTSurvey2023Functional Limitations in Individuals With Long COVID.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost people with long COVID reported substantial declines in global health, mobility, and daily activities. Fatigue affected 94% of participants. While symptoms improved over time, functional limitations remained severe for many, highlighting a need for rehabilitation interventions.
• OTSurvey2023Return to Work Experiences of Ontario Public Safety Personnel with Work-Related Psychological Injuries.Journal of occupational rehabilitationOntario public safety personnel with psychological injury claims described stigma, confusing compensation systems and unsupportive employers as major barriers. They valued occupational therapy when it was practical, community based and linked to coping and return to work.
• PTOTCohort2023The Prevalence of Mental Health Service Use in Australian Workers with Accepted Workers' Compensation Claims for Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitationOnly 9.7% of workers with compensated low back pain accessed mental health services. Use rose sharply with claim duration, reaching 39.4% for claims over 76 weeks. Access varied by jurisdiction, with Western Australia lowest at 6.7% and Victoria highest at 12.0%.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Associations of Prior Head Injury With Mild Behavioral Impairment Domains.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationMultiple prior head injuries are associated with higher rates of impulse dyscontrol and affective dysregulation in older adults. These behavioral symptoms appeared decades after the injury. Single injuries showed no such association. Screen for mood and behavioral changes in patients with a history of repeated head trauma.
• PTOTSLPRCT2023Climb up! Head up! Climbing improves posture in Parkinson's disease. A secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationSport climbing improved forward-stooped posture in Parkinson's disease, reducing the distance from the neck to the wall by 1.7 cm. This physical change did not improve quality of life or reduce fear of falling, but offers a concrete option for correcting spinal flexion.
• OTCohort2023Who Returns to work? Exploring the Role of Interpersonal Problems in Occupational Rehabilitation.Journal of occupational rehabilitationHostile and dominant interpersonal traits predicted a lower chance of returning to work after rehabilitation, but overall interpersonal problems did not. A one-point higher score on this specific trait was associated with a 56% lower chance of returning to work.
• PTOTOther2023Greater engagement in valued activities is associated with less barriers to quitting smoking among smokers with mobility impairments.Disability and health journalSmokers with mobility impairments who engaged in more valued activities reported less depression and higher confidence to quit. Finding a replacement for activities lost to disability was linked to lower depressive symptoms and greater self-efficacy, though this does not prove the activities caused these benefits.
• PTOTRCT2023Efficacy of supervised home-based, real time, videoconferencing telerehabilitation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineSix weeks of supervised video-call exercise lowered blood sugar markers and improved walking distance, strength, and waist size in people with type 2 diabetes. The control group, which received only general advice, showed no such changes.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024"Alone in the dark": A qualitative study of treatment experiences among young adults with a recent concussion and anxiety.Neuropsychological rehabilitationYoung adults with recent concussions and anxiety found provider advice like strict rest and vague instructions isolating and confusing. They wanted clear guidance on pacing activities, early referrals for mental health support, and concrete help with daily life accommodations.
• OTRCT2024Effectiveness of a Stigma Awareness Intervention on Reemployment of People with Mental Health Issues/Mental Illness: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial.Journal of occupational rehabilitationUnemployed people with mental health issues who used a stigma-awareness decision aid alongside usual vocational support were more likely to find and keep paid work at 12 months. The intervention did not reduce decisional conflict about disclosure.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for deafblindness. Part I: a systematic review of outcome measures.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineResearchers assessed deafblindness using 314 different outcome measures, but only three were specific to the condition. Most tools measured depression or generic vision and hearing loss. Clinicians should not assume standard hearing or vision tests capture the combined functional impact of deafblindness.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023The impact of sport on the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of people with chronic breathlessness: A mixed-methods systematic review.Clinical rehabilitationSports like dance and Nordic walking were safe and had high attendance, improving exercise capacity. However, they did not significantly improve health-related quality of life. Participants valued the social cohesion and enjoyment, which may explain better engagement than standard rehabilitation.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Nutrition-associated health levels in persons with cancer: item response modelling based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineA 32-item scale based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health accurately reflects nutrition-associated health levels in cancer inpatients. It correlates strongly with established nutritional assessments and identifies specific functioning deficits to guide rehabilitation.
• OTSystematic Review2023Assessing the implementation of user-centred design standards on assistive technology for persons with visual impairments: a systematic review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAssistive technology developments for people with visual impairments often claimed user-centred design, but only five papers referenced the international design standard. Users were mostly involved late, at usability testing, not throughout design, and context, needs, and multidisciplinary teams were often missing.
• PTOTCohort2023Baseline Characteristics and Outcomes for People With and Without COVID-19 Diagnoses Receiving Inpatient Rehabilitation Care Across the US in 2020-2021.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPatients with COVID-19 diagnoses in inpatient rehabilitation were more medically complex, stayed longer, and were less likely to go home, but they made larger mobility and self-care gains and had similar fall rates.
• OTQualitative2024What is the Meaning of Paid Employment for Well-Being? A Focus Group Study on Differences and Similarities Between Autistic Adults With and Without Employment.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAutistic adults said paid work can support well-being through recognition, purpose, contact, structure and income, but also said work can cause burnout. Not having paid work was linked to shame and exclusion; disability benefits brought relief but also fear of losing them.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Effect of oxygen therapy duration on cognitive impairment 12 months after hospitalization for SARS-COV-2 infection.Journal of rehabilitation medicineShorter oxygen therapy during acute hospitalization predicted persistent cognitive impairment at 1 year. A Mini-Mental State Examination score below 28 at 3 months also flagged this risk, though patients often lacked awareness of their deficits.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023Virtual Reality for Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Comprehensive Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesThis review of 32 studies suggests virtual reality can help with breathing exercises for anxiety and lung conditions. Most participants reported feeling more relaxed and better able to control their breathing. However, the studies were small, short-term, and mixed healthy people with patients, so this is not proof that VR works as a standalone treatment.
• OTOther2023Psychometric Assessment of the Swedish version of the Work Ability Index in Patients with Chronic Pain in Specialized Care.Journal of rehabilitation medicineFor patients with chronic pain in specialized care, the Swedish Work Ability Index worked best as one overall score. Its single work-ability item tracked the full index closely, so it may serve as a quick stand-in.
• OTSLPSurvey2024Quality of life, satisfaction with care, and the experiences of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities before and during COVID-19.Disability and health journalSelf-reported quality of life dropped during the pandemic, but this disappeared when accounting for who reported it. Care partners reported higher quality of life than the adults themselves. Satisfaction with care services remained stable across both time points.
• PTOTOther2023Using volunteers to improve access to community rehabilitation in palliative care: the St Christopher's Living Well at Home Team.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTrained volunteers delivered supervised home rehabilitation for palliative patients who could not travel to the hospice. Those who completed the programme reported better mobility, wellbeing, and goal achievement, suggesting a feasible way to extend care into homes.
• OTSurvey2024Understanding the Unmet Accommodation Needs of People Working with Mental or Cognitive Conditions: The Importance of Gender, Gendered Work, and Employment Factors.Journal of occupational rehabilitationWomen and workers with mental or cognitive conditions reported more unmet workplace flexibility, modification, and health benefit needs before job conditions were considered. Most differences narrowed after job type and working conditions were included.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Post-stroke Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Performances: A Network Analysis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMood was the most central depressive symptom, while executive function dominated the cognitive network. Psychomotor functioning and attention acted as bridges between the two. This suggests targeting mood and executive function may help resolve co-occurring post-stroke depression and cognitive issues.
• OTOther2024Improving Work Participation Outcomes Among Unemployed People with Mental Health Issues/Mental Illness: Feasibility of a Stigma Awareness Intervention.Journal of occupational rehabilitationThe disclosure decision aid and stigma awareness training were feasible to deliver. Clients found the aid useful, but few discussed it with employment specialists, and many specialists stopped using it after a year.
• PTOTOther2024A programme evaluation of 'First Steps': A peer-conceived, developed and led self-management intervention for people after a Parkinson's diagnosis.Clinical rehabilitationA peer-led Parkinson's self-management programme did not improve anxiety, depression, daily functioning, quality of life or carer strain compared with usual care. People in the programme group increased their physical activity, but this was not better than usual care.
• PTOTOther2023Testing spasticity mechanisms in chronic stroke before and after intervention with contralesional motor cortex 1 Hz rTMS and physiotherapy.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAfter rTMS plus physiotherapy, chronic stroke patients had less reflex-mediated wrist stiffness and better arm scores. Passive tissue stiffness did not change. Because both treatments were given together, rTMS alone cannot be credited.
• PTOTOther2024Do patients with neurological disorders benefit from immersive virtual reality? A scoping review on the emerging use of the computer-assisted rehabilitation environment.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineSeven studies on immersive VR show it safely improves gait, balance, and some cognitive skills in neurological patients. However, evidence on emotional symptoms is conflicting, and high costs mean this technology is not yet ready for routine clinical use.
• PTOTOther2023Upper extremity asymmetry due to nerve injuries or central neurologic conditions: a scoping review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationUpper extremity asymmetry is mostly assessed in stroke and cerebral palsy using clinical kinematics and strength tests. Real-world data collection is increasing but remains limited. Most studies rely on low-level evidence, with few randomized trials or cohort studies.
• PTOTCohort2023Accelerometer-measured physical activity at 3 months as a predictor of symptoms of depression and anxiety 1 year after stroke: a multicentre prospective cohort study in central Norway.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAccelerometer-measured physical activity at 3 months post-stroke did not predict depression or anxiety at 1 year after adjusting for stroke severity and other factors. Sedentary time, light, and moderate activity levels showed no significant link to mood outcomes.
• PTOTSurvey2024Preferences for risks and benefits of treatment outcomes for chronic low back pain: Choice-based conjoint measure development and discrete choice experiment.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationPatients with chronic low back pain valued walking at least 1 mile, walking outside for short distances, and accomplishing basic household routines most strongly. Avoiding much difficulty with thinking was also a strong preference.
• PTOTSLPRCT2024Mixed methods, single case design, feasibility trial of a motivational conversational agent for rehabilitation for adults with traumatic brain injury.Clinical rehabilitationTwo adults with traumatic brain injury and four clinicians found a conversational agent helpful for maintaining rehabilitation goals between appointments. Participants reported good usability and motivation, though the small sample and short duration limit conclusions about clinical effectiveness.
• PTOTCohort2024Comparison of Upper Extremity Function and Daily Use in Individuals with and without Post Stroke Depression.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairDepression did not affect arm function during early rehabilitation but was linked to significantly worse arm use and independence at six months. Clinicians should monitor mood closely when patients transition home, as depression may hinder the carryover of therapy gains to daily life.
• PTOTQualitative2023Stakeholders' Perspectives, Needs, and Barriers to Self-Management for People With Physical Disabilities Experiencing Chronic Conditions: Focus Group Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesPeople with physical disabilities, caregivers, and experts described self-management as physical activity, nutrition, medication, and mental health. They wanted accessible digital programs with peer support, education, and ways to identify symptom triggers; fatigue, pain, cost, and medication complexity were barriers.
• PTOTOther2023Reduced physical activity level was associated with poorer quality of life during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: a sub-study of the last-long trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStroke survivors who reported less physical activity during lockdown were significantly more likely to report poorer quality of life. This association remained after adjusting for loneliness, mental health, and social activity. No participants reported improved activity or quality of life.
• PTOTSLPPilot2023Quality of life, exercise capacity, cognition, and mental health of Chilean patients after COVID-19: an experience of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program at a physical and rehabilitation medicine unit.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPost-COVID patients completing an 8-week multidisciplinary program showed significant gains in walking distance, strength, and mental health. However, nearly one-third dropped out. Baseline balance and fatigue scores helped predict who would leave early, allowing for targeted support.
• PTOTOther2023Quality of sexual life in Mexican men after spinal cord injury.Journal of rehabilitation medicineMexican men with thoracic spinal cord injuries reported significantly lower sexual life quality than those with lumbar injuries. Higher education levels were also linked to greater sexual satisfaction. These findings highlight specific risk factors for sexual dysfunction in this population.
• PTOTRCT2023Effectiveness of ultrasound guided interfascial hydrodissection with the use of saline anesthetic solution for myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius: a single blind randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesUltrasound-guided interfascial hydrodissection and dry needling both reduced myofascial pain in the upper trapezius. Hydrodissection provided significantly greater pain relief immediately and up to 30 minutes after treatment. However, there was no difference between the two groups in pain scores or quality of life from one week to six months.
• PTOTSLPPilot2023Older Adults' Engagement and Mood During Robot-Assisted Group Activities in Nursing Homes: Development and Observational Pilot Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesIn a pilot study, older adults in nursing homes showed high engagement and positive mood during robot-led group activities. Staff noted the robot allowed them more time for individual care, but this does not prove the robot improves health outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Effect of Post-stroke Depression on Functional Outcomes of Patients With Stroke in the Rehabilitation Ward: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationStroke patients with depression had lower functional independence scores at discharge and stayed in rehabilitation longer. However, their total improvement in independence during the stay was similar to patients without depression. Depression slowed recovery speed but did not stop progress.
• PTOTRCT2024Inpatient multimodal rehabilitation and the role of pain intensity and mental distress on return-to-work: causal mediation analyses of a randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineInpatient multimodal rehabilitation nearly doubled the likelihood of sustainable return-to-work compared with outpatient care. This benefit occurred regardless of whether pain, anxiety, or depression improved. Reducing symptoms at the end of treatment was not necessary for patients to return to work.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Is quality of life related to high autistic traits, high ADHD traits and their Interaction? Evidence from a Young-Adult Community-Based twin sample.Journal of autism and developmental disordersYoung adults with high autistic traits reported lower quality of life across all domains, even after accounting for ADHD traits and mental health difficulties. High ADHD traits were also linked to poorer physical and psychological quality of life. The combination of both traits did not worsen outcomes beyond their individual effects.
• OTPilot2023"Stop and just breathe for a minute": perspectives of children on the Autism Spectrum and their caregivers on a Mindfulness Group.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThe 10-week Mindful Movers group did not significantly change anxiety, mindfulness, or wellbeing scores in 10 children. In interviews, children and caregivers described feeling calmer, though some noticed no change.
• OTRCT2023Coping with uncertainty in everyday situations (CUES©) to address intolerance of uncertainty in autistic children: an intervention feasibility trial.Journal of autism and developmental disordersA parent group programme for autistic children's uncertainty was feasible and acceptable. It improved parents' confidence and helped children with specific 'wanted' situations, but showed no significant difference in general child anxiety scores compared to a control group.
• OTSLPOther2023Autistic Traits and College Adjustment.Journal of autism and developmental disordersHigher levels of autistic traits predicted lower GPAs, more course failures, and poorer social outcomes in college students, even among those without an autism diagnosis. Clinicians should support students struggling with these issues regardless of diagnostic status.
• OTSLPCohort2023Structural Connectivity and Emotion Recognition Impairment in Children and Adolescents with Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome struggled to identify angry and happy faces, especially when surrounded by fearful faces. Brain scans showed tighter wiring in the right amygdala-fusiform pathway, which partially explained these social and emotional recognition difficulties.
• OTSLPSurvey2024Autistic People's Perinatal Experiences I: A Survey of Pregnancy Experiences.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic people described pregnancy as more overwhelming and less supported. They were more likely to be overwhelmed by the sensory environments of appointments, to feel unheard by professionals, and to report all-day nausea, anxiety, depression, and pelvic girdle pain.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024The Life After Stroke In Northern Sweden Study (LASINS): Methodology, cohort demographics and initial results.NeuroRehabilitationStroke survivors in northern Sweden, averaging three years post-stroke, mostly reported mild to moderate recovery. They completed a comprehensive survey on sleep, mood, fatigue, and activity, establishing a baseline for future research rather than testing a treatment.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Adaptive outdoor physical activities for adults with mobility disability: a scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesParticipation in adaptive outdoor activities depends less on the disability itself and more on program design. Barriers include cost, lack of trained staff, and inaccessible transport. Facilitators involve equipment that looks like standard gear, shared control options, and peer mentors.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023The effect of unpredictability on the perception of breathlessness: a narrative review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesExperimental studies found that unpredictable breathlessness triggers more sustained fear and anxiety than predictable breathlessness. This constant threat worsens the unpleasantness of the sensation, even if the physical intensity remains unchanged, suggesting that managing patient expectations and control is as vital as treating the breathing itself.