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 30 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTQualitative2025Understanding the complexity of decision-making for mothers of young children with ambulatory cerebral palsy: A qualitative phenomenological study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMothers of children with ambulatory cerebral palsy describe decision-making as a constant trade-off between clinical gains and family survival. They report high uncertainty and administrative burden, often skipping therapy to protect work, money, or their child's happiness. Clinical success is not the only goal.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024A Scoping Review of the Predictive Qualities of Walking Speed in Older Adults.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)Self-selected walking speed below about 1.0 m/s in older adults was repeatedly linked to higher risk of mortality, falls, hospitalization, disability, cognitive decline, and low physical activity. It can flag patients needing further assessment or referrals.
• OTSurvey2025Stress, Anxiety and Coping in Adults With Down Syndrome: An Exploratory Co-Research Study.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDMost adults with Down syndrome who answered this survey reported stress and anxiety. They described social, creative, thinking, and physical coping strategies, and asked for mental health help that is accessible and not only talking therapy.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025'It's designed for someone who is not me': A reflexive thematic analysis of the unmet healthcare support needs in UK autistic adults aged 65 years and over.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic older adults describe healthcare as 'designed for someone who is not me.' They report high anxiety, sensory overload, and a lack of trust due to past misunderstandings. Key needs include continuity of care, text/email contact options, and staff who offer explicit reassurance and extra processing time.
• OTCase Report2024Teletherapy and Medication Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Co-occurring Internalizing Symptoms and Suicidality During the Pandemic.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPA young person with ADHD, anxiety, depression and suicidality improved after teletherapy engagement changes and a switch from atomoxetine and fluoxetine to guanfacine and escitalopram during hospitalization.
• PTOTSurvey2024Students' perceptions and experiences of remote learning amid covid-19 pandemic in Ghana.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoMost allied health students in Ghana were neutral or dissatisfied with remote learning, preferring face-to-face classes. Anxiety affected fewer than half, with no difference by programme or year. Practical training gaps and isolation were key concerns.
• PTOTCohort2025Association between widespread pain and psychosocial factors in people with knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study of patients from primary care in Denmark.Physiotherapy theory and practiceIn people with knee osteoarthritis, marking more body sites as painful on a chart was linked to lower confidence in managing symptoms and more anxiety or depression. However, widespread pain was not linked to higher fear of movement, and in some groups was linked to less.
• OTSLPSurvey2024Inner experiences, mental health, and well-being in autistic and non-autistic adults.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic adults reported significantly more frequent self-talk for social assessment, self-criticism, and self-management than non-autistic adults. This self-talk correlated with higher anxiety and depression. Inner experience patterns were otherwise similar between groups.
• PTOTCase Series2024The Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Tibial Bone Stress Injury Rehabilitation: An Exploratory Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyMilitary trainees with tibial bone stress injuries who added blood flow restriction training to their rehab did not lose bone density or muscle mass over four weeks. They reported significant improvements in pain, function, and anxiety, suggesting this approach may help maintain tissue health during restricted activity.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2025Disability barriers autistic girls face in secondary education: A systematic review.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic girls often mask difficulties to fit in, leading teachers to miss their need for support. They face barriers like sensory overload, exclusion, and gendered assumptions. Clinicians should advocate for quiet spaces, explicit social coaching, and recognizing that quiet compliance may hide significant struggle.
• OTCohort2024Transition Readiness Among Youth Accessing Mental Health Services With Physical Health Co-Morbidities.Child: care, health and developmentYouth with mental health and physical health conditions reported higher transition readiness, especially medication management, appointment keeping, and tracking health issues. Attention problems were linked to lower readiness.
• OTSurvey2024Young Carers' Identification: Comparing Adolescents' and Parents' Perspectives.Child: care, health and developmentParents reported more household illness or disability than adolescents did, but adolescents reported more caring activities than parents did. Agreement on who was ill or disabled was low, so neither report alone captures young carers.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2024Multimodal Technologies for Remote Assessment of Neurological and Mental Health.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHRCombining speech, video, and text data in remote assessment platforms improves diagnostic accuracy and robustness compared to using any single data source alone. Multimodal analysis provides a more holistic view of neurological and mental health status for clinicians.
• OTSLPNarrative Review2024How auditory processing influences the autistic profile: A review.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic people’s auditory challenges are heterogeneous and linked to reduced filtering, adaptation, and increased distress in noisy settings. Noise-canceling headphones may increase participation. Music and repetitive behaviors can be pleasurable, so avoid assuming all sensory reactivity is negative.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Elevated parkinsonism symptoms in autism during middle and older adulthood are linked with psychosocial, physical health, and mental health outcomes.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic adults aged 40-83 who screened positive for parkinsonism reported lower physical, environmental, and autism-specific quality of life, plus more memory, sleep, and depression issues. These links persisted when excluding those on antipsychotics, but daily living skills findings did not.
• OTSLPCase-Control2025Real-Life Functioning in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome in Relation to Neurocognitive Abilities and Psychotic Symptoms: A Comparison With Idiopathic Schizophrenia.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRAdults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and psychosis have similar social functioning to those with idiopathic schizophrenia. Negative symptoms, specifically asociality, predicted poor interpersonal relationships regardless of genetic cause, suggesting social rehabilitation should target these symptoms directly.
• PTOTCohort2025ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Symptoms Are Associated With Chronic Pain Interference: Results From a Prospective Cohort Study.Child: care, health and developmentYoung adults with more ADHD symptoms after an acute pain episode were more likely to report moderate-to-severe pain interference 6 months later. Pain catastrophizing was also linked to ongoing interference. This is an association, not proof that treatment helps.
• OTQualitative2025Perceptual Experiences of Autistic People With an Intellectual Disability and People With Williams Syndrome: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDAutistic adults with intellectual disability described processing many sights and sounds at once, sometimes helpfully and sometimes overwhelming. Some adults with Williams syndrome reported anxiety from sudden noises and described background noise as happenstance rather than by design. These are accounts, not measured capacity.
• OTSurvey2025Associations between disability status and stressors experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic among women with a recent live birth, 2020.Disability and health journalPostpartum women who reported a lot of difficulty or inability in seeing, hearing, walking, remembering, self-care, or communication had more pandemic stressors than women without disability, especially food insecurity and partner-related strain.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Health service utilization among autistic youth in Aotearoa New Zealand: A nationwide cross-sectional study.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic youth in New Zealand used mental health services, psychotropic medication and hospital care at much higher rates than matched non-autistic peers, but used accident compensation services less. Those with intellectual disability had even higher non-psychiatric hospital use.
• PTOTQualitative2025Services Addressing Mental Health Needs of Youth in Physical Rehabilitation: Perspectives of Clinicians, Youth and Family Members.Child: care, health and developmentIn physical rehabilitation, youth, parents and clinicians described mental health care as under-resourced. Key gaps were missing psychologists, short or restricted sessions, and lost services at transition. Trust and team links helped.
• OTOther2025Trait and state mathematics anxiety in autistic and non-autistic school-aged boys.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn 110 boys aged 8 to 16, autistic boys reported more worries and less pleasant feelings during a timed math task, and scored lower, even though their long-term math anxiety questionnaire did not differ from non-autistic boys.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Cognitive Changes Up to 4 Years After Cochlear Implantation in Older Adults: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Using the RBANS-H.Ear and hearingCognitive scores improved significantly one year after cochlear implantation but returned to baseline levels by four years. Quality of life and hearing gains persisted longer. Without a control group, practice effects from repeated testing may explain the early cognitive rise, so do not assume the implant caused lasting cognitive improvement.
• OTSLPOther2025Structure and dynamics of anxiety in people with ASD and ID: A network analysis.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn adults with autism and intellectual disability, anxiety and autism symptoms formed a single mixed network rather than separate clusters. Fear of being touched or pushed acted as a central bridge, linking social behaviors like smiling or being friendly to anxiety symptoms.
• PTOTSLPOther2025The effects of family directed power mobility on self-care, mobility, and social function in very young children with severe multiple developmental impairments.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTwelve children with severe mobility impairments used modified ride-on toys for three months. Caregivers reported improvements in self-care, mobility, and social function. All children learned to operate the device, even those with cortical visual impairment or who could not follow commands.
• PTOTCohort2025Catastrophizing and fear avoidance beliefs in chronic low back pain: a cross-sectional study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineIn chronic low back pain, catastrophizing and fear-avoidance beliefs explained 35% of disability variance, while pain intensity alone showed only a moderate correlation with disability. Clinicians should screen for these psychological factors rather than assuming pain level dictates functional limitation.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Natural history of SGCE-associated myoclonus dystonia in children and adolescents.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn children with SGCE-associated myoclonus dystonia, motor symptoms worsen over time. Action myoclonus and writing dystonia progressed significantly, causing reported declines in speech, writing, and walking. High rates of anxiety, OCD, and ADHD were also found.
• OTCohort2025Mental health care use of autistic adults: Identifying longitudinal patterns using sequence analysis.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceOver 5 to 7 years, 445 autistic adults without intellectual disability most often used counseling or medication, often together. Therapy was less common. Patterns clustered by sex, employment and co-occurring mental health conditions; outcomes were not measured.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Material hardship and sources of support for autistic adolescents and their families.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceFamilies of autistic teens face high material hardship, but income alone misses the problem. Many middle-income families struggle with costs and lack safety net access. Therapists should screen for financial strain and asset loss, not just poverty, as these families often have insurance but still face food insecurity and bankruptcy risks.
• PTOTOther2025How do clinicians use, experience, and value applications of outcome information in daily care? A mixed-methods study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineClinicians found dashboards most useful for patient goals and pain/function screening, which helped focus conversations. Mental health screens and prediction models were used less, seen as valuable only when expectations clashed or extreme values appeared. Eye contact loss was a concern.
• OTCohort2025Factors Associated With Depression in Caregivers of Adults With Down Syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRCaregiver depression linked to their own distress and low quality of life, plus weaker grip strength in the adults with Down syndrome they cared for. Other physical measures showed no link. The sample was tiny and all caregivers were female.
• OTQualitative2025'I did what I could to earn some money and be of use': A qualitative exploration of autistic people's journeys to career success and fulfilment.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults defined career success by personal fulfilment rather than status or pay. They identified poor support, social isolation, and inaccessible workplaces as key barriers. Positive outcomes relied on gradual transitions, workplace adjustments, and a sense of belonging.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025The process of adaptation: Parents' journey navigating their child's chronic health condition diagnosis.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineParents described adapting to their child's diagnosis through five interwoven elements: grief, anxiety, unknowing, responsibility, and positivity. These experiences cycled rather than followed linear stages, with time and experience helping parents move from persistent negative emotions toward intermittent ones.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Impact of Social Disadvantage on Medical and Functional Severity in Children With Cerebral Palsy.Child: care, health and developmentChildren with cerebral palsy in poorer neighbourhoods or with marginalized race or Hispanic ethnicity were more likely to have greater motor difficulties. Minority race was linked to more severe language impairment. When income and ethnicity were considered together, race still linked to gross motor impairment.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Parental Experiences of Quality of Life When Caring for Their Children With Intellectual Disability: A Meta-Aggregation Systematic Review.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDParents of children with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities described caregiving as relentless, causing isolation, financial strain, and health decline. Mothers bore the heaviest burden, often sacrificing careers and self-care. Support networks and respite were critical for quality of life.
• PTOTSurvey2025Sexual Function and Quality of Life in Individuals Post Stroke.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyMost stroke survivors in this South African study had sexual dysfunction, but it did not significantly lower their overall quality of life scores. Two-thirds did not know healthcare professionals could help, suggesting a major gap in patient education and support.
• OTCohort2025Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Functioning in Adolescents With Klinefelter Syndrome.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPBoys with Klinefelter syndrome reported more anxiety and depression than peers, and parents noted greater social difficulties. These issues appeared in childhood, not just adolescence, suggesting early monitoring and support are needed rather than waiting for puberty to begin.
• PTOTRCT2025Hands-free Atalante exoskeleton in post-stroke gait and balance rehabilitation: a safety study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHands-free exoskeleton training was safe for stroke patients unable to walk. Skin cuts and knee pain were minor and rare. Patients improved walking speed and balance over five sessions, but without a control group, this cannot prove the device caused the change.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Autistic and transgender/gender diverse people's experiences of health and healthcare.Molecular autismAutistic adults, especially those who are transgender or gender diverse, report far worse healthcare experiences and much higher rates of physical and mental health conditions than non-autistic adults. They struggle with communication, sensory overload, and accessing care.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Comparative Evaluation of Health Status of Syrian Refugee and Tur CCH_70042 kish Children, Alongside the Factors Influencing Sociocultural Adaptation of Syrian Children in Türkiye.Child: care, health and developmentSyrian refugee children in Türkiye reported higher social anxiety and resilience but lower self-esteem, grades, and worse oral health than Turkish peers. Across both groups, low socioeconomic status linked to poorer outcomes, while resilience showed no socioeconomic gap.
• OTSLPOther2025Sleep health of adults and children with Moebius syndrome.Research in developmental disabilitiesAdults and children with Moebius syndrome reported significantly higher rates of sleep disturbance, insomnia, nightmares, and daytime sleepiness than general population norms. Qualitative interviews revealed chronic, heterogeneous sleep issues impacting relationships, though participants were often unsure if these symptoms were directly linked to their syndrome.
• OTOther2025The Impact of Menopause on the Mental Health of Women With an Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDWomen with intellectual disabilities and their carers described mood changes around menopause, including anger, anxiety and relief from periods, but psychological symptoms were often missed or blamed on behaviour. No study could confirm menopause caused them.
• PTOTNarrative Review2025Physical exercise for primary sarcopenia: an expert opinion.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesFor older adults with primary sarcopenia, expert recommendations favour tailored resistance exercise, often combined with aerobic and balance training, to improve muscle mass, strength and physical performance.
• PTOTSurvey2025Pregnancy after amputation: A national survey of prosthetic and mobility outcomes in women with lived experience.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalMost women with lower-limb amputation reported mobility changes during pregnancy, including falls and poor prosthesis fit. Many needed a wheelchair postpartum. Seven advised arranging a back-up mobility plan before delivery, as resuming prosthesis use within days was not guaranteed.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Developmental Scores and Prevalence of Functional Difficulty Among Preschool Children in Kenya.Child: care, health and developmentNearly one in five preschoolers in Homa Bay and one in twelve in Kakuma had functional difficulties. In Kakuma, these children scored lower on development tests, but in Homa Bay they did not. This shows disability is common in mainstream Kenyan preschools and needs teacher support.
• PTOTCohort2024Caregiver burden among informal caregivers of stroke survivors in Harare, Zimbabwe.The South African journal of physiotherapyCaregivers of stroke survivors reported higher strain when they were anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, or had adjusted work, and when survivors had poor physical, motor, or social outcomes. This reports associations, not proof that treatment reduces burden.
• PTOTOther2025Central Sensitivity Symptoms and Autistic Traits in Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic adults without a pain diagnosis reported central sensitization symptoms above clinical cut-offs. Adults with pain conditions reported autistic traits higher than controls. This overlap suggests clinicians should screen for both autism and central sensitization to avoid missing diagnoses.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Hospital experiences and medical traumatic stress in adults with spina bifida.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineAdults with spina bifida described hospital stays as frightening due to feeling unheard, care delays, and providers lacking condition knowledge. They valued clear communication, family presence, and self-advocacy. These themes describe patient experiences and do not prove that specific interventions reduce traumatic stress.
• PTOTOther2025Multidisciplinary collaborative guidance on the assessment and treatment of patients with Long COVID: A compendium statement.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationLong COVID consensus guidance recommends validating symptoms, screening for post-exertional malaise, and keeping activity below exertion tolerance. Pushing through fatigue can worsen symptoms. Return-to-work plans may need gradual, flexible accommodations.
• OTRCT2025Increased Life Expectancy of People With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities: What Does It Change for Parents?Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDParents of older people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities, and parents aged 55 or older, did not report more anxiety, lower quality of life, or poorer coping. Environmental quality of life was higher.