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 34 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTQualitative2026Wellbeing and the Lived Experience of Injured Workers Following Finalisation of a Workers' Compensation Claim.Journal of occupational rehabilitationInjured workers described conflicting needs after closing their compensation claims. Some felt relief escaping the system, while others experienced abandonment and stigma. Many lacked clear information on what to expect next, suggesting a need for individualised transition support rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
• OTCohort2025Negative Beliefs About Working with Health Problems and Support at Work as Predictors for Return to Work for People Struggling with Common Mental Disorders.Journal of occupational rehabilitationIn people receiving treatment for common mental disorders, negative beliefs about working with health problems predicted lower likelihood of being at work at treatment end. Perceived support at work predicted being at work when examined alone, but not uniquely.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Development and validation of the Physical Disability Identity Scale: A multistudy quantitative investigation with participant feedback.Rehabilitation psychologyA new scale measures six ways people relate to their physical disability. Feeling connected or satisfied with the identity linked to better wellbeing. Seeing disability as central to self or shaped by it linked to worse mental health and more discrimination.
• PTOTOther2026Validation of JEM Soignances Job-Exposure Matrix Through Comparison with Self-Reported Exposures Among Healthcare Workers in CONSTANCES.Journal of occupational rehabilitationA new tool for estimating job risks in healthcare workers matched self-reported data well for physical demands but poorly for psychosocial stress. It often underestimated associations with pain and depression, and failed to detect links between noise or chemicals and health outcomes.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Feasibility and Effects of Exercise During Working Hours in Acute Hospital Staff - A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of occupational rehabilitationSupervised exercise during working hours was feasible for hospital staff. Participants showed improved aerobic capacity, blood pressure, and pain. However, adherence was low, and without a control group, these changes cannot be proven to result from the intervention alone.
• OTOther2026Establishing Key Domains for Measuring Workplace Mental Health: The Indicators of A Thriving Workplace Survey.Journal of occupational rehabilitationA new 47-item survey validated across 9,947 Australian workers identifies five domains of workplace mental health: Leadership, Connectedness, Safety, Work Design, and Capability. Industry scores differed significantly, with Work Design showing the greatest variation.
• OTSystematic Review2026Organizational Practices and Their Outcomes for Employees with Disabilities: A Review and Synthesis of Quantitative Studies.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAcross 27 quantitative studies, organizational practices like accommodations, leadership, and workplace culture showed mixed links to employee performance, well-being, and job retention. While positive practices were associated with better outcomes, negative factors like discrimination and job insecurity also emerged. The evidence base is fragmented, with no controlled effect studies.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Identity development among veterans with spinal cord injury: A qualitative study.Rehabilitation psychologyVeterans with spinal cord injury rebuilt their identities by adapting activities to keep doing what mattered and by changing their self-concept to accept new roles. Support from peers with similar injuries and engaging in active daily routines were central to this process.
• OTCohort2025The Effect of Preinjury Psychiatric Difficulties on Caregiving Needs and Postinjury Emotional Distress in Care Partners of Persons With Traumatic Brain Injury.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationCare partners with a history of mental health issues reported more depression and anxiety up to two years after the patient's injury. However, their pre-injury history did not predict whether their support needs were met at six months. Screen for psychiatric history to identify at-risk caregivers.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Self-regulation resource model of body compassion in multiple sclerosis.Rehabilitation psychologyIn 799 adults with multiple sclerosis, feeling compassionate toward one's own body was linked to higher confidence managing symptoms. This confidence was associated with less drug use and better social participation, but not with exercise. These are cross-sectional links, not proof that compassion causes behavior change.
• OTOther2026The Influence of a Health Promotion Program on Health and Paid Employment Among Long-Term Non-employed Individuals in the Netherlands.Journal of occupational rehabilitationThe Exercise Works health promotion program did not improve physical health, mental health, work ability, or paid employment more than usual employment services over 12 months. Participants and coaches still liked it.
• PTOTSurvey2026Validation of the Body Compassion Scale in multiple sclerosis.Rehabilitation psychologyThe Body Compassion Scale is a valid tool for adults with MS, measuring how they relate to their physical symptoms. Lower body compassion was linked to worse fatigue, pain, and mobility, while higher compassion associated with better resilience and mental health.
• OTQualitative2026Workplace Programs to Reduce Post-traumatic Stress Injuries Work Disability: First Responder Experiences.Journal of occupational rehabilitationFirst responders in Alberta said workplace culture and trusted colleagues help them seek psychological injury support, but confusing programs, delays, stigma and fear of career harm still block access.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Telerehabilitation as an innovative strategy for the management of anxiety and dyspnea in post-COVID-19: A scoping review.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationTelerehabilitation for post-COVID patients generally improved breathing, physical function, and quality of life across 19 studies. Anxiety results were mixed, with some reviews showing no significant reduction. Evidence remains limited by small sample sizes and a lack of standardized guidelines.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Course of Fatigue and Sleep After Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationFatigue and poor sleep remained high and stable for 18 months after moderate to severe brain injury. Physical tiredness and objectively measured sleep time decreased slightly. Mood problems consistently linked to worse fatigue and sleep quality, while processing speed did not.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Self-management in youth with spina bifida: predictors of health and quality of life outcomes.Disability and rehabilitationHigher self-management in young adults with spina bifida lowered the odds of diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis, and improved quality of life. However, self-management did not reduce recent urinary tract infections or pressure injuries. Mental health declined with age, with females reporting worse outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Traumatic Brain Injury in Those With Preexisting Disability: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Psychosocial Function.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationAdults with pre-existing disability who sustained a TBI with loss of consciousness reported significantly more days of poor mental and physical health and higher loneliness compared to those without such TBI. Employment rates did not differ between the groups.
• PTOTCohort2026Cluster Analysis Reveals Subgroups with Different Risk Profiles and Sickness Absence Patterns in an Occupational Health Cohort.Journal of occupational rehabilitationEmployees who felt their work was appreciated and had good workplace atmosphere had the lowest sickness absence. Those reporting worsening work ability and musculoskeletal pain had the highest risk of long-term absence, while cardiovascular risk factors predicted absence even when symptoms did not hinder work.
• OTCohort2026Return to Work or Not: The Paths to Psychiatric Disability and Back.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAmong 18,373 people granted a first disability pension for mental disorder, 98% of permanent pensioners remained on pension, while temporary pensioners moved to work, unemployment, study, or remained on pension.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Barriers and Facilitators of Implementing Workplace Interventions Supporting Young Workers' Safety, Work Environment and Health: A Scoping Review of Qualitative and Mixed-Method Studies.Journal of occupational rehabilitationImplementing workplace safety interventions for young workers (ages 15-29) succeeds when the program fits the specific job context and has strong management support. It fails when staff face high workloads, time pressure, or irregular shift hours that prevent participation.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Mental and Physical Well-Being of Informal Stroke Caregivers Compared With Noncaregiver Family and Friends.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationInformal stroke caregivers had worse physical and mental health than non-caregiver family and friends 90 days after the stroke. They reported more depression symptoms, fatigue, and sleep difficulties, even after adjusting for the stroke survivor's severity and both groups' demographics.
• OTRCT2026Reducing burden and anxiety for caregivers of veterans with traumatic brain injury and dementia: Randomized controlled trial of the resources for enhancing all caregivers' health-Hope intervention.Rehabilitation psychologyREACH Hope lowered 3-month caregiver burden versus waitlist for caregivers with baseline Zarit burden scores of 21 or higher, with greater benefit at higher burden. Anxiety also improved when baseline GAD-7 scores were 13 or higher; depression, self-efficacy, and safety risks were not improved.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Rehabilitation needs prior to adjuvant chemotherapy in a rural Swedish population.Journal of rehabilitation medicineBefore starting chemotherapy, many cancer patients and their families reported anxiety, depression, and unmet needs. Families often had higher unmet needs than patients, especially for information and coordination. Screening both groups early is necessary, as their needs differ and are not always obvious.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Associations among aerobic physical activity, mild traumatic brain injury history, and health-related quality of life in military service members and Veterans: A LIMBIC-CENC study.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMilitary service members and veterans who met aerobic exercise guidelines reported better quality of life than inactive peers. This benefit held regardless of how many mild traumatic brain injuries they had sustained. Exercise is associated with better outcomes, but this study did not prove that starting exercise causes improvement.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2025Cognitive and Psychological Symptoms in Post-COVID-19 Condition: A Systematic Review of Structural and Functional Neuroimaging, Neurophysiology, and Intervention Studies.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPost-COVID cognitive and mood symptoms are common, but brain tests show inconsistent changes that do not reliably predict impairment. Brain stimulation and cognitive training gave mixed improvements in small studies, so they are not proven treatments.
• OTRCT2025Responsivity of Concussion Symptom Domains to a Mind-Body Intervention for Young Adults With a Recent Concussion and Anxiety: A Pilot RCT.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationYoung adults with recent concussion and anxiety reported lower cognitive, physical, affective and sleep symptoms after both a mind-body toolkit and an active health education program. This small trial cannot separate treatment effects from natural recovery.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026How is wakeful rest operationalized and measured in daily life among adults with and without long-term conditions? A systematic scoping review.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationRest is not just stopping activity. Adults with long-term conditions prioritize physical, emotional, and social rest for recovery, while healthy adults focus more on mental detachment. Existing pain scales measure rest as avoidance, not restoration, so they may misguide pacing advice.
• PTOTRCT2025Mixed methods analysis of an interdisciplinary intervention to promote balance confidence in lower limb prosthesis users.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAn interdisciplinary intervention combining virtual reality balance training with cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improved balance confidence and gait self-efficacy in lower limb prosthesis users. Participants showed large gains in these areas, though physical activity levels unexpectedly decreased.
• PTOTSurvey2025Quality of life among lower limb prosthetic users in Jordan: a cross-sectional study using the Arabic SF-36.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesJordanian prosthetic users reported strong social functioning and emotional well-being but low physical functioning and general health. Older age and higher-level amputation were linked to worse physical scores, while women reported better emotional adjustment than men.
• OTSLPCohort2025Resiliency and Mental Health Symptoms Among Active Duty Service Members With a History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationHigh resilience linked to fewer mental health symptoms at intake, but this benefit vanished after treatment. Self-efficacy was the strongest protective factor. For those with multiple mild brain injuries, active coping and cognitive flexibility did not protect against depression.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Characteristics and Outcomes of Limb Loss Support Groups.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationOnly seven studies exist on limb loss support groups, but all reported benefits. These groups improved mobility, reduced depression, and helped with prosthesis skills. However, the evidence is weak, mostly from surveys, with only one trial.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Psychometric properties and clinical usability of the cognition in daily life scale in patients with acquired brain injury in clinical care settings.Clinical rehabilitationThe Cognition in Daily Life scale reliably captures how brain injury affects daily functioning. It correlates with real-world disability but not with standard quiet-room tests. Clinicians found it useful for team communication, though the 20-minute administration time and lack of digital scoring were barriers.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Exploring Integration of Support for Co-Occurring Substance Use-Related Needs in Interdisciplinary Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment for Military Service Members and Veterans.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIntegrating substance use support into traumatic brain injury rehab allowed most applicants to enter care and nearly all who started treatment to finish. Only one person left early due to substance use, with no serious adverse events.
• OTQualitative2025Promoting financial empowerment after brain injury: Findings from focus groups.Clinical rehabilitationAdults with brain injury and caregivers proposed financial help that is proactive, individualized, free or low-cost, and delivered by professionals who understand brain injury. Ideas include financial coaches, advocacy, awareness campaigns, and accessible products. These are ideas, not tested interventions.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025A feasibility study of digital self-report measurement for brain injury patients utilizing an adapted version of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory - fourth edition.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients with mild to moderate cognitive deficits completed a digital brain injury inventory twice with high consistency. The tool matched community integration scores and showed that naming ability, not overall cognition, linked to reported participation difficulties. This supports using digital self-report for routine monitoring.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025A systematic literature review to explore lived experiences with phantom limb phenomenon following a lower extremity amputation: a qualitative synthesis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPatients with lower limb amputation often receive little or no early education about phantom limb pain, leading to distress and dissatisfaction. They prefer self-management strategies like massage and distraction over medication, and report that phantom sensations can actually help them accept their prosthetic limb.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Recommendations for Combining Brain-Computer Interface, Motor Imagery, and Virtual Reality in Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: Qualitative Participatory Design Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesFor upper-limb brain-computer interface, motor imagery, and virtual reality training, stroke survivors and clinicians recommended daily tasks, sessions no longer than 20 minutes, simple to complex progression, and feedback adjusted for attention, neglect, and fatigue. These are design recommendations, not tested effectiveness.
• PTOTCohort2025Muscle strength and stiffness of elbow muscles: correlation with upper limb motor functions in people with chronic stroke.Journal of rehabilitation medicineElbow muscle strength, but not stiffness, correlated with upper limb motor function in people with chronic stroke. Strength explained variance in impairment and activity scores, while resting stiffness showed inconsistent or no significant links to functional outcomes.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2025A panoramic review of transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation: from basic research to clinical applications.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTranscranial focused ultrasound shows promise for tremor and pain, but most evidence comes from small studies and animal models. Clinical effects vary widely due to skull differences and auditory confounds. It is not yet a proven therapy for common neurological conditions.
• OTOther2025Psychometric properties of the Danish version of the resilience scale for adults in individuals with acquired brain or spinal cord injury, and their family members.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn adults with acquired brain or spinal cord injury and their family members, the Danish Resilience Scale for Adults may be useful as five separate subscales. Do not use the Structured style subscale or the total score.
• PTOTQualitative2025"What standard should we set?": A qualitative study of rehabilitation professionals' perspectives on rehabilitation needs after traumatic injuries.Journal of rehabilitation medicineRehabilitation professionals describe a gap between legally mandated services and community reality. They report patients with traumatic injuries often lack support for cognitive impairment, mental health, and meaningful daily life, with resources focused only on basic physical care.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Optimal exercise modalities for post-intervention motor function changes in stroke survivors: a pairwise and network meta-analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationResistance training best preserved walking endurance, and robotic training best preserved walking speed after stroke rehab ended. However, no exercise modality significantly improved balance or limb motor control during follow-up, suggesting gains in these areas often fade without continued supervision.
• OTQualitative2025Close Relationships Despite the Challenges: Sibling Relationships and Autism.Journal of autism and developmental disordersTen siblings of autistic adolescents described close, loving relationships despite aggression, conflict, and caregiving worries. Some sisters felt they were both siblings and carers and wanted help with arguments, isolation, and future caring roles.
• OTSLPOther2025Game Changer: Exploring the Role of Board Games in the Lives of Autistic People.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic adults described board games as a social lubricant that removes the pressure of small talk. The clear rules and shared focus on the game allow them to interact authentically without masking, helping them form friendships and reduce anxiety.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025Dual-target tDCS and dual-task training modulate neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity: transcriptomic and behavioral evidence in stroke rehabilitation.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAdding dual-target brain stimulation to dual-task training improved walking, thinking, and mood in stroke survivors more than sham stimulation. Both groups also received standard physical, occupational, or speech therapy, so the specific contribution of each component cannot be separated.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Relationship Between Obesity and Intellectual/Developmental Disability in an Ohio Telepsychiatry Clinic: A Retrospective Review.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities seen in a telepsychiatry clinic, 52.4% were obese. Obesity prevalence was highest in those with autism alone and lowest in those with profound intellectual disability. This association does not prove cause.
• OTQualitative2026Multicultural Implementation-Experiences of Peer Support Workers in MH Services: Qualitative Findings of UPSIDES Innovative Intervention-An International Multi-Site Project.Journal of occupational rehabilitationPeer support workers across sites described UPSIDES training and delivery as supporting their own recovery, vocational skills and staff relations, while role clarity and service integration remained difficult.
• PTOTQualitative2025A longitudinal qualitative study on the care needs journey map of primary caregivers of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesCaregivers of knee replacement patients described shifting from administrative tasks to quasi-professional roles, facing severe gaps in rehabilitation guidance and emotional support after discharge. They reported anxiety and helplessness when left without clear instructions on home exercises and complication prevention.
• OTOther2025Are a Child's Autistic Traits, Behavioural Difficulties, Prosocial Behaviour and Temperament Predictors of Parental Self-Efficacy and Satisfaction? A Study on Parents of Autistic and Neurotypical Children Aged 7-11 Years.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn parents of autistic children, behavioural difficulties and prosocial behaviour predicted lower parenting confidence and satisfaction. In parents of neurotypical children, only behavioural difficulties predicted confidence. Autistic traits themselves did not significantly predict either outcome in the final models.
• PTOTCohort2025Exploring exercise intolerance in adult patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn adults with persistent concussion symptoms, 81% had exercise intolerance confirmed by treadmill testing. Higher overall symptom burden predicted this intolerance. Within those intolerant, higher resting heart rate allowed more exercise, while higher anxiety lowered the threshold for symptoms.