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 27 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTPilot2024A Feasibility Study of a Physical and Occupational Therapy-Led and Parent-Administered Program to Improve Parent Mental Health and Infant Development.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsA therapist-led program teaching parents massage and motor exercises was feasible and acceptable. Parent anxiety, depression, and sense of competence improved significantly from admission to discharge, but without a control group, it is impossible to know if the program caused these changes or if parents simply felt better as their infants improved.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Mapping Effectiveness Studies of Occupational Therapy in Africa: A Scoping Review.Occupational therapy internationalEffectiveness studies of occupational therapy in Africa are emerging, mostly from South Africa. Most reported positive outcomes, particularly in physical rehabilitation and hand therapy. Paediatric evidence was less consistent. Systematic reviews are now feasible to determine actual strength of evidence.
• OTPilot2024The impact of measurement on clinical trials: Comparison of preliminary outcomes of a brief mobile intervention for autistic adults using multiple measurement approaches.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic adults' anxiety and depression scores fell slightly after the plan and monitoring, but other scales did not change, weekly anxiety improved then worsened, and momentary use was linked to slower increases in sadness and agitation.
• PTOTNarrative Review2023The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's occupations.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTPandemic restrictions disrupted children's occupations: outdoor and structured play fell, screen time rose, sleep became irregular, and remote schooling reduced learning and peer contact. These are patterns, not tested interventions.
• PTOTCohort2024Association Between Depression Symptoms and Disability Outcomes in Older Adults at Risk of Mobility Decline.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationDepression symptoms linked to worse physical function and participation in older adults at risk of mobility decline. However, depression did not predict how quickly these abilities declined over two years. Treat depression as a concurrent marker of current disability, not necessarily a driver of future rapid decline.
• OTCohort2024Preschoolers' Self-Regulation and Behavior Problems in the Midst of Caregiver Depression and Chaos.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPChildren with better self-regulation before the pandemic had fewer behavior problems during it. This protection held up even when caregivers were depressed or homes were chaotic. It only weakened when both stressors occurred together.
• OTCohort2024Satisfaction with social connectedness is associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in neurodiverse first-semester college students.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceLower satisfaction with social connections predicted higher depression symptoms across the semester, regardless of how much students wanted social interaction. However, low social satisfaction did not predict later anxiety, though it was linked to anxiety at the same time. This association held for both autistic and non-autistic students.
• OTSLPQualitative2024A qualitative exploration of an autism-specific self-compassion program: The ASPAA.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults found a self-compassion program helpful for reducing self-criticism and feeling connected, but also described it as difficult and sometimes emotionally distressing. They valued autism-specific adaptations like lived-experience videos and flexible exercises, while noting sensory triggers and the need for professional support.
• PTOTRCT2024Long-Term Follow-Up of a Person-Centered Prehabilitation Program Based on Cognitive-Behavioral Physical Therapy for Patients Scheduled for Lumbar Fusion.Physical therapyPrehabilitation before lumbar fusion surgery did not improve long-term disability or pain compared to conventional care. Both groups improved similarly over two years. Patients did not increase physical activity despite gaining strength and walking capacity. The intervention offers no long-term advantage over standard preoperative advice.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Occupational therapy and cooking: A scoping review and future directions.Scandinavian journal of occupational therapyCooking is a core occupational therapy activity used across the lifespan for assessment and intervention. The literature shows therapists use it to build skills and address cognitive or environmental barriers, but rigorous evidence for its specific health effects remains limited.
• OTCase Series2023The Impact of Weighted Blanket Use on Adults with Sensory Sensitivity and Insomnia.Occupational therapy internationalFour adults with sensory sensitivity and insomnia reported lower insomnia scores after using a weighted blanket. Daily sleep diaries showed mixed results for duration and quality, with no clear pattern across participants. This small study cannot confirm if the blanket caused the changes.
• OTCohort2024Impact of employment status and work setting on body weight and health behaviors among people with obesity.Work (Reading, Mass.)Adults with obesity who worked from home partially gained more weight than those working from home completely. Unemployment was linked to higher weight, but this association disappeared after adjusting for demographics. Stress, depression, and poor eating habits were strong predictors of weight gain.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2024State-of-the-art therapies for fragile X syndrome.Developmental medicine and child neurologyCurrent therapies for fragile X syndrome manage symptoms but do not cure the underlying genetic cause. Pharmacological options like stimulants and SSRIs target specific behaviors, while gene therapies remain in preclinical stages.
• PTOTOther2024The Spanish adaptation of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart: psychometric evidence in cardiac rehabilitation patients.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineThe Spanish Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart works well as a total score but fails as a four-part breakdown. Use the overall score to gauge fear of movement in cardiac patients, but do not rely on individual subscales or item-level data for clinical decisions.
• OTOther2024Caregiver and youth inter-rater assessment agreement in autism spectrum disorder, developmental coordination disorder, and typical development.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchCaregivers and children often disagreed about anxiety and ADHD symptoms. Children reported more anxiety. Caregivers reported more ADHD in autism spectrum disorder and developmental coordination disorder groups. Using only one report can miss clinically elevated symptoms.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024Caregiving occupations, health and well-being of Chinese mothers of children with disabilities living in Australia, Singapore and Taiwan.The British journal of occupational therapyChinese mothers' health and well-being scores did not differ across Australia, Singapore and Taiwan. Mothers who spent time on emotional regulation or behaviour supervision had worse mental health. Therapists should screen for distress in these cases and assess the family support network.
• OTOther2024Job stressors in relation to burnout and compromised sleep among academic physicians in India.Work (Reading, Mass.)High job stressor loads were linked to burnout and poor sleep in academic physicians. Specific modifiable factors included working 7 days/week, lacking genuine rest breaks, and having no time for non-clinical duties. These conditions were associated with increased personal and work-related burnout.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Work-related stress is associated with low work ability, but not with poor self-rated health: A cross-sectional study in primary healthcare.Work (Reading, Mass.)High work-related stress was associated with low work ability, but not with poor self-rated health. Interference between work and leisure time showed the strongest link to reduced work ability. Clinicians should assess work-life balance and recovery needs in patients seeking care for stress-related symptoms.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Hybrid approaches to allied health services for children and young people: a scoping review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHybrid in-person and remote allied health services for children and young people were inconsistently defined and mostly mental health or CBT studies. PT, OT and SLP evidence was sparse, and controlled evidence was limited, so do not assume remote works for hands-on care.
• PTOTSLPOther2024The Occupational Therapy Profession in Saudi Arabia.Occupational therapy internationalSaudi Arabia has one occupational therapist per 10,000 people. Services exist only in hospitals, not primary care or schools. Most doctors and therapists do not refer patients because they cannot distinguish occupational therapy from physiotherapy.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Leisure Engagement Among People Living With Acquired Brain Injury: A Scoping Review.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthPeople with acquired brain injury engage less in leisure than before, shifting toward sedentary, solitary, home-based activities. Transport, fatigue, and cognitive limits block community participation. Assess these specific barriers and environmental factors, not just physical recovery, to support meaningful re-engagement.
• OTSLPCohort2024Early executive functioning predicts externalizing problems in neurodiverse preschoolers.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchPoor emotional control at age 3 predicted externalizing problems at age 5 in neurodiverse preschoolers. This link was strongest in children with lower autism symptom severity. Screening for executive functioning difficulties may help identify children who would benefit from early behavioral interventions.
• PTOTQualitative2024First Step to empowering change: enhancing self-efficacy, energy management, and physical activity in patients with sleep apnea.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPatients with sleep apnea valued a program combining energy management and physical activity. They found tailoring goals to meaningful daily activities helpful. However, transportation and session timing were barriers to attendance. The study reports experiences, not proven efficacy.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024"I'm dealing with a health care system that doesn't get it": Barriers and facilitators to inclusive healthcare for autistic adults.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults described healthcare as a demanding social environment where short appointments, phone-based scheduling, and sensory-heavy settings blocked care. They relied on online booking and support people to navigate systems. Providers often lacked training in adult autism, leading to misunderstandings of communication styles.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Guidelines for chronic pain in adult spinal cord injury population: Scoping review.The South African journal of physiotherapyMost pain guidelines for spinal cord injury focus only on nerve pain, ignoring musculoskeletal pain. Only one high-quality guideline covered both types and recommended specific screening tools. Clinicians should check if their current protocols address nociceptive pain or rely on guidelines that miss it.
• PTOTPilot2024Para table tennis improves psychological/mental and cardiovascular health in individuals with spinal cord injury.NeuroRehabilitationFour weeks of twice-weekly para table tennis improved self-efficacy and arterial elasticity in adults with spinal cord injury. The study was a small pilot with a control group doing static activities, so the specific contribution of the sport versus general activity remains unclear.
• OTSLPOther2024Smiling synchronization predicts interaction enjoyment in peer dyads of autistic and neurotypical youth.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic-neurotypical pairs synchronized smiles less than neurotypical pairs. This lower synchrony predicted less enjoyment and less desire to interact again. However, autistic-autistic pairs showed no significant difference in synchrony or enjoyment compared to other groups, suggesting shared neurotype may buffer interaction quality.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2024Experiences of caregivers of children with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsCaregivers of children with autism faced intensified stress, isolation and disrupted routines during the pandemic. Teletherapy was often unhelpful due to access barriers and engagement difficulties. Structured home routines and positive outlooks emerged as key coping strategies.
• OTSystematic Review2024Attitudes to and perceptions of workplace health promotion amongst employees from ethnic minorities in the UK: A scoping review.Work (Reading, Mass.)Very little UK evidence exists on ethnic minority workers' views of workplace wellbeing. Only three included studies met criteria, and only one was UK based. That study found Chinese employers were reactive and employees raised wages and conditions.
• OTSurvey2024Worldwide Survey on Digital Assistive Technology (DAT) Provision.Occupational therapy internationalOccupational therapists mostly provide digital assistive technology as part of broader intervention, with cost and knowledge as key barriers. This is self-reported practice, not evidence of effectiveness.
• OTOther2024A Quasi-Experimental Study Investigating the Impact of a Lifestyle Redesign Program on the Well-Being of Korean University Students.Occupational therapy internationalLifestyle Redesign lowered stress and improved daily activity performance in Korean OT students over 10 weeks. However, the control group also improved in activity performance, and quality of life gains were not significantly better than the control group's results.
• OTQualitative2024Support factors contributing to successful start-up businesses by young entrepreneurs in South Africa.Work (Reading, Mass.)Five young entrepreneurs in South Africa attributed their business success to support from family, mentors, and partners. This help lowered start-up costs and provided skills. The study suggests therapists working in high-unemployment areas should prioritize building these support networks for clients seeking self-employment.
• PTOTSLPRCT2024Effects of a dual intervention (motor and virtual reality-based cognitive) on cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBoth a VR kitchen-memory game and the same pencil-and-paper version improved cognition and reduced depressive symptoms in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Neither was better than the other. Neither improved daily-living skills. Both groups also did balance, strength and aerobic exercise, so the training alone cannot be credited.
• PTOTCohort2024Motor difficulties in 16p11.2 copy number variation.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchDeletion carriers showed more reported clumsiness and slower motor speed than duplication carriers, but less tremor and better scores on some direct motor tasks. Motor difficulty did not predict autism diagnosis.
• OTSurvey2024Work-related quality of life of occupational therapists in Ireland.The British journal of occupational therapyIrish occupational therapists reported work-related quality of life below NHS healthcare worker norms. High workload and organisational constraints were linked to lower quality of life, and lower quality of life was linked to turnover intentions.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Application of the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance Model: A Scoping Review.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthA scoping review of 109 articles found the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model is widely used to frame research and practice across diverse populations. It helps clinicians map how personal and environmental factors interact to influence performance, though definitions of participation vary.
• PTOTSLPRCT2024Clinical and neurophysiological effects of bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and EEG-guided neurofeedback in Parkinson's disease: a randomized, four-arm controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCombining brain stimulation with neurofeedback improved Parkinson's motor symptoms more than either alone. However, neither treatment changed walking speed, balance, or finger tapping speed. The effect on quality of life was positive but based on a small, unblinded sample.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Changes in COPD-related anxiety symptoms during pulmonary rehabilitation: a prospective quantitative and qualitative study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesCOPD-related anxiety dropped significantly after 9 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation. However, this drop did not correlate with improvements in walking distance or quality of life. Patients described developing four coping strategies: planning, problem-solving, confronting, and accepting.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity in early neurodevelopmental traits in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study.Molecular autismEarly difficulties in social and communication skills at age three were associated with receiving a diagnosis of almost all neurodevelopmental conditions later in childhood. These traits were not neatly aligned with specific diagnoses, suggesting broad developmental challenges predict diverse outcomes.
• PTOTQualitative2024Adopting new habits and routines in response to COVID-19 lockdown disruptions: A qualitative study.The British journal of occupational therapyParticipants described losing meaningful activities and feeling disconnected during lockdowns. They adapted by creating new routines, roles and habits, such as virtual volunteering, home workouts and family time. These changes helped restore structure and connection, though they did not fully replace lost in-person interactions.
• OTSLPOther2024Pepea Pamoja:† Applying the Ecological Validity Framework to co-develop a wellbeing and behavioural training program for caregivers of young children with autism in low-resource settings of Kenya and the United States.Child: care, health and developmentA 10-session group training program for caregivers of young children with autism was co-developed for Kenya and adapted back to rural Indiana. It blends autism education, caregiver wellbeing, and daily-routine behavioral strategies. It has not been tested for effectiveness.
• OTNarrative Review2024Unlocking the potential: Exploring the opportunities for occupational therapists in cyberpsychology.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTNo tested finding is reported. This narrative review proposes occupational therapy roles in cyberpsychology but gives no methods, participants, or results.
• OTSLPCohort2024Alterations in Neural Activation During Facial Emotion Processing in Adolescent Male Participants With Klinefelter Syndrome.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPAdolescent males with Klinefelter syndrome showed increased brain activation when viewing angry faces compared to controls. This heightened neural activity correlated with parent-reported social anxiety and withdrawal. The findings suggest a biological basis for social difficulties in this population.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Identifying Children and Adolescents at Elevated Mental Health Risk Before and During COVID-19.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPAdolescent girls showed the largest increase in mental health risk during the pandemic. Global risk rose significantly in this group, driven by internalizing and attention symptoms. Screening at once-yearly visits may underestimate risk if conducted in summer.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Brief Report: Under-Identification of Symptomatic Menopause in Publicly-Insured Autistic People.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic women with intellectual disabilities were 28% less likely to have medical claims for menopausal symptoms than those without. This suggests that communication barriers or provider oversight, rather than biology, may be hiding significant health needs in this group.
• OTQualitative2024The role of Occupational Therapy in community development to combat social isolation and loneliness.The British journal of occupational therapyTwelve older men and six staff said local places shape whether men connect. They wanted nearby, welcoming venues and mixed-age activities. Closed estate centres and bleak rooms made social participation harder.
• OTSLPQualitative2024Diversity in Autistic Play: Autistic Adults' Experiences.Autism in adulthoodAutistic adults described solitary play as restorative and social play as draining but valuable. They preferred parallel play and smaller groups. Imaginary play was often grounded in reality. Flow provided relaxation but disrupted self-care. These preferences vary by individual needs and energy levels.
• PTOTOther2024Assessing Work Functioning in Patients with Persistent Low Back Pain: Exploring the Structural Validity of the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire.Journal of occupational rehabilitationWORQ self-report scores in patients with persistent low back pain grouped into psychological wellbeing, physical functioning, and cognitive ability. Use domain scores rather than the total score to guide work rehabilitation.
• PTOTSurvey2024Work Difficulties in People with Multiple Sclerosis.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAmong 340 people with MS, older age, southern residence, and higher disability were linked to unemployment; higher education and open-ended contracts were linked to staying employed. In employed people, physical difficulties and fatigue were common.
• OTOther2024Validity of the Capacity to Work Index: Development of an Instrument to Measure Work Capacity in Relation to Depression and Anxiety in the General Working Population.Journal of occupational rehabilitationA 17-item Capacity to Work Index about work capacity problems in depression and anxiety was developed from qualitative studies and tested in 51 hospital staff. It showed consistent responses and related to wellbeing, but it is not ready to guide return-to-work decisions.