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 6 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTSystematic Review2025The Impact of Psychosocial Interventions on Older Adults in the Community Experiencing Social Isolation: An Integrative Review.International journal of mental health nursingCommunity psychosocial programmes helped isolated older adults feel more connected and less alone. Programmes that included peer groups, befriending or one-to-one support showed benefits, but evidence came from small, varied studies.
• OTRNQualitative2025Experiences and Perceptions of Functional Recovery in Late-Life Depression: A Qualitative Study.International journal of mental health nursingOlder adults recovering from depression described functional recovery as pushing through low motivation, accepting changed abilities, managing pain and fatigue, and relying on routines, family, pets and feeling understood.
• OTQualitative2026Tracking Secondary School Students: A Qualitative Investigation of an Online Student Monitoring System With Parent Portal.The Journal of school healthStudents, parents and teachers described a school monitoring portal as helpful for tracking work but also stressful: late grade alerts, less student responsibility, and parent conflicts. It reports perceptions, not proof that limiting access improves outcomes.
• PTOTRNCohort2025Community Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Outcomes.Worldviews on evidence-based nursingSix months after cardiac rehabilitation, patients continued to improve walking distance and kept waist size down, but blood pressure, weight, BMI, depression, physical activity and medication adherence worsened. Diet and smoking gains held.
• PTOTRNQualitative2025A Phenomenological Study of Older Individuals' Experiences of Safety at Home.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesOlder people receiving homecare described safety as staying in their own home, having nature, neighbours, and reliable help. They also reported falls, anxiety, loneliness, and practical barriers such as high bathroom thresholds.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Lagged effects of risk factors on the disability of older adults: A distributed lag non-linear model approach.International journal of nursing sciencesRisk factors for disability in older adults follow three distinct timelines. Functional limitations like walking difficulty cause immediate harm within one year, while conditions like depression and hospitalization exert a cumulative burden over three to four years.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026Lived Experience of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survivors: A Phenomenological Study.Nursing in critical careSome ECMO survivors described lasting weakness, trouble walking, emotional distress and financial burden. Participants wanted clearer rehabilitation advice, and some wanted simpler follow-up and regular contact.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Impact of Lymphedema on Women's Lives After Gynaecological Cancer: An Integrative Review.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesWomen after gynaecological cancer described lower-limb lymphedema as swelling, heaviness, pain and body-image distress that limited walking, work, clothing and sex. Clinicians often missed or delayed diagnosis. Women often had to self-manage.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026The use of virtual reality in cancer patient health education: A scoping review.International journal of nursing sciencesCancer VR education tools include videos, immersive environments, radiotherapy simulations, 3D models, games and virtual characters. Small studies report better knowledge, less anxiety and some behavior change, but long-term effects and privacy are unclear.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Experiences of Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Their Caregivers During the Pandemic: A Systematic Review.Nursing openCOPD patients and caregivers described pandemic fear, anxiety and loneliness, plus reduced activity. Some managed exacerbations at home. Telemedicine helped some, but others wanted face-to-face care.
• OTSurvey2026Can Peer Victimization Invalidate the Positive Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Adolescents' Health-Related Quality of Life?The Journal of school healthAmong 1343 adolescents, higher emotional intelligence was linked to better psychological well-being and peer support. Very high peer victimization weakened the link with peer support, but not psychological well-being.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Weekly Walking Attenuates the Association Between Frailty and Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.Research in nursing & healthIn adults with rheumatoid arthritis, frailty was linked to more depressive symptoms. Walking at least 3.5 days per week appeared to break this link. The association between frailty and depression was no longer significant in those who walked more frequently.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026Resident and Family Carer Perspectives on the Impact of Allied Health Student Placements on Service Delivery to Residents in Northern NSW Aged Care Homes: A Qualitative Study.The Australian journal of rural healthResidents and family carers described placements by physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition and dietetics and social work students as adding care time and perceived gains in mobility, communication and mood. They said short placements disrupted continuity.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026Delivering Palliative Care in Mental Health Nursing Settings: A Systematic Review.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingPeople with complex mental illness and dementia had very low access to palliative care, often lacked advance decisions, and needed familiar, continuous settings. Nurses may under-rate dementia symptoms.
• OTRNSurvey2026Dignity Among Older Persons in Long-Term Care Institutions in Taiwan and Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study.The journal of nursing research : JNR48.9% of 188 older residents in southern Taiwan long-term care institutions reported low dignity. Fewer or no children, lower daily living independence, inability to walk, higher education, and depression were associated with low dignity.
• OTQualitative2026Personal and Societal Recovery in Depression-A Qualitative Study.International journal of mental health nursingPeople who experienced depression described recovery as first knowing themselves and managing symptoms, then joining low-pressure activities until they could choose meaningful work or roles. Empathetic support helped early; practical guidance mattered later.
• OTQualitative2026Enhancing the Therapeutic Relationship Between Mental Health Case Managers and Individuals With Serious Mental Health Conditions: A Participatory Action Research Study in Community-Based Services.International journal of mental health nursingMental health case managers described changes in building therapeutic relationships: choosing patient-selected places, using tone of voice, and planning gradual discharge. Patients valued individualization, empathy and honesty. No patient outcomes were measured.
• OTQualitative2026Like Bits in a Jigsaw: Exploring Ancillary Staff Interactions With Care Home Residents.International journal of older people nursingAncillary staff such as cleaners and cooks were described by residents and families as noticing eating changes, offering comfort and building affectionate relationships. These interactions were valued, but the study does not test whether changing roles improves care.
• OTQualitative2026Perceptions of Psychiatric Nurses on Substance Use Relapse Prevention Among the Youth- An Exploratory Qualitative Study.Nursing openPsychiatric nurses attributed youth relapse to psychological avoidance, family stigma, and easy drug access. They recommended continuity of care via case managers, halfway homes, and community education to reduce stigma and boredom.
• OTRNQualitative2026The complexity of caregiving amid challenges: experiences of families with young caregivers.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PFamilies with young caregivers described exhausting, hidden care routines. Young people lost leisure and school time, while guardians feared being reported. Ask who is caring at home and support the whole family.
• PTOTRNOther2026Health Outcomes Following the Health-Promoting "Reflective STRENGTH-Giving Dialogue" Intervention Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesParticipants reported lower impact of health problems on daily life and higher well-being after each dialogue on average. Over 14 weeks, no significant within-group changes were found.
• PTOTSurvey2026Health-Related Quality of Life of Adults With Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study in Primary Care.Journal of clinical nursingAdults with Long COVID reported worse health-related quality of life than those without, especially anxiety/depression, pain/discomfort, and usual activities. These differences remained after accounting for age, sex, and comorbidities.
• OTQualitative2026Sense of School Belonging and School Reintegration for Students Hospitalized With Chronic or Complex Medical Diseases: Insights From a Grounded Theory Study.The Journal of school healthHospitalized children described school belonging in hospital school mainly through close hospital teachers, not peers. Mainstream schools often felt distant, and digital lessons did not replace human contact. Reintegration was described as smoother when there was contact with classmates and teachers, not just lessons.
• OTSurvey2026Understanding Multi-Victimization: Identifying Socioecological Supports Among Adolescents.The Journal of school healthTransgender and gender-diverse students reported more victimization and less family, peer, food, and housing support than cisgender peers. Across all students, more support was linked to fewer victimization types, but the study cannot show support caused it.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026The Neglected Care Burden and Unmet Needs of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Survivors. A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesCaregivers of stroke survivors described heavy new roles, coordination and personal care, and feeling left without clear stroke information. They valued continuity with home physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
• OTSystematic Review2026Occupational Therapy Services Provided to Adults Diagnosed With Kidney Disease: A Scoping Review.Journal of renal careAcross 23 studies, occupational therapy services for adults with kidney disease were mostly hospital-based and focused on fatigue, education, and daily tasks, but evidence was sparse and protocols lacking.
• PTOTRNRCT2026A secondary analysis of how changes in pain interference relate to changes in health-related quality of life and physical function in heart failure.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careIn adults with heart failure, worsening pain interference tended to track with worsening physical function and quality of life over time. The links were modest and observational, so they do not prove pain treatment improves either outcome.
• OTQualitative2026Challenges in Transitional Phases of Foster Care for Older Adults: Perspectives of Foster Caregivers.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesFoster caregivers said some older adults arrived needing two helpers to move, needing toileting or eating support, or having night restlessness. These needs made home placements unsuitable. They wanted a functional assessment before admission to prevent strain.
• OTRNOther2026Recovery-Oriented Care Planning in Mental Healthcare Services: A Combined Concept Analysis and Scoping Review.International journal of mental health nursingRecovery-oriented mental health care planning was described as a flexible, person-led conversation, not a form. It centred the person's strengths, goals and supports, with clinicians acting as facilitators rather than directors.
• OTSurvey2026Associated factors of successful aging among community-dwelling older adults in a rural area of Indonesia: a cross-sectional study.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PAmong 104 rural Indonesian older adults, those still working and those living 1 to 5 km from a health facility were associated with higher successful aging scores. Age, education, income, chronic disease, spouse satisfaction and community involvement were not.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026Community-Dwelling Older Adults' Experience With Activity Trackers: Effects of Monitoring Physical Activity.Journal of gerontological nursingOlder adults in a community exercise program said tracking with a Fitbit helped them set goals, feel more active, manage fear of falling, and describe changes in memory, social connection, and function. These were self-reported experiences, not proof the tracker caused change.
• OTRNSurvey2026Understanding Differences in Resident Loneliness/Isolation Across US Nursing Homes: A Multilevel Analysis of MDS 3.0 Data.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOne in five long-stay nursing home residents reported feeling lonely or isolated. Much of the variation was between nursing homes, not counties. Residents with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, hearing or vision impairment, or low CNA care were more likely to report it.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026A Systematic Review of Worldwide Guidelines, Protocols, and Health Care Standards for Provision of Palliative Care Services in Progressive Neurological Disorders.Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of NursingPalliative care guidelines for progressive neurological disorders emphasize symptom management, caregiver support and early planning, but spiritual wellbeing is rarely covered and no guideline addresses all four WHO domains.
• OTRCT2022Beyond group differences: Exploring the preliminary signals of target engagement of an executive function training for autistic children.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic children in the computer executive function training plus metacognitive coaching and caregiver check-in group showed faster lab-based stop-signal reaction time than waitlist children only when ADHD features were clinically significant. Anxiety did not change who benefited, and brain changes did not explain parent-reported outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Impact of multidisciplinary rehabilitation on functioning and quality of life in stroke survivors: a longitudinal retrospective analysis.Journal of rehabilitation medicineStroke survivors in specialized multidisciplinary rehabilitation showed improved functional and quality of life scores up to 12 months, but overall quality of life did not improve and scores declined by 3 years. The study cannot separate rehabilitation from other care.
• OTOther2025Dementia in Intellectual Disability: An Exploratory Investigation of Comorbidity Patterns and Diagnostic Outcomes.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRMost comparisons between adults with intellectual disability with and without dementia showed no clear differences. The dementia group was more likely to have Down syndrome and less likely to have affective disorders.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Rehabilitation needs of long COVID patients in British Columbia.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMost people referred to a long COVID clinic needed rehabilitation by clinic criteria, especially for breathing and mental health. Many needed more than one service, so screening should ask about fatigue, breathlessness, mood, and function before choosing a single rehab pathway.
• PTOTOther2026Sex-related differences in the physical, functional, physiological, and emotional profile of adults with chronic vestibular hypofunction: a cross-sectional EXERVEST study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn adults with chronic vestibular hypofunction, women and men differed in body composition, exercise capacity, visual balance, and sleep. They did not differ in depression, anxiety, dizziness handicap, activity, or fall risk. Use same-sex reference values rather than assuming one sex is worse.
• OTSurvey2026Factors of family-centered care associated with state anxiety in parents of children and adolescents with disabilities.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesParents who already tend to feel anxious were more likely to feel anxious now. Parents who said they received specific information about their child and used more care facilities reported less current anxiety. These are links, not proof of benefit.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Inpatient rehabilitation after acute injury or illness for patients with and without mental health disorders: service utilization, functional improvement, and pain.Journal of rehabilitation medicineInpatients with mental health disorders made similar functional gains and were equally satisfied, but reported more pain, used more opioids on discharge, cancelled more physiotherapy, and required far more team coordination and nurse time.
• OTSLPOther2026Digital Aids for Social Media in Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury: Longitudinal Evaluation Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesOnly life satisfaction rose from before to after the study in adults with TBI who used Facebook aids. Emotional support, social connection and self-esteem did not change clearly. Participants rated the aids helpful, especially focus, filter and customization.
• PTOTRCT2026Safety, feasibility and preliminary effects of Atalante exoskeleton-assisted gait training in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a prospective ABA pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTen people with ALS completed six weeks of exoskeleton gait training safely. Objective measures showed no significant change, but participants reported high motivation and perceived benefits. This confirms feasibility and safety, not that the training preserves walking function.
• OTSystematic Review2026Effectiveness of low vision rehabilitation on visual function and quality of life in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesLow-vision services that provided assessment, devices, and sometimes training were associated with better distance acuity and vision-related quality of life in one of three small studies, but a reading-rate gain was not supported and evidence was low.
• OTOther2026The Influence of Sensory Processing on Executive Function in Young Autistic Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn young autistic children, more sensory seeking and less responding to input were linked with greater caregiver-reported executive function difficulties, especially working memory, even after anxiety and ADHD were considered.
• OTSLPRCT2026The Effect of Online Parent Training With and Without Coaching Support on the Well-Being of Families of Children With Neurodisabilities: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchCoached online parent training improved family communication scores more than self-directed training or a resource website. Self-directed training showed some benefits over control but not consistently. Effects were small and seen only in families who completed most of the program.
• PTOTSLPRCT2026Transfer effects of animal-assisted therapy on socioemotional skills in adult inpatient rehabilitation after acquired brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAfter six weeks, adults with brain injury who received animal-assisted occupational, speech, or physiotherapy showed more social behavior in a standardized outside-therapy task than usual therapy. Mood, thinking, motivation, quality of life and attendance did not differ. High dropouts mean this is not firm evidence.
• OTQualitative2026Securing Educational Support for Children With Rare Genetic Conditions: Mothers' Experiences and Impacts on the Family.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRSixteen mothers described securing school support for children with rare genetic conditions as a years-long fight that caused massive stress, changed work, strained relationships, and some were prescribed medication for stress, anxiety and low mood.
• OTSLPQualitative2026Deaf older adults' experiences of receiving old age care support.Journal of deaf studies and deaf educationSix Swedish Deaf older adults said care staff who did not sign left them unable to choose help, share needs, or trust visits. They relied on relatives, paper notes, lip-reading, and felt isolated.
• OTCohort2026Prevalence of Psychotropic Use and Psychotropic Polypharmacy in a Finnish National Cohort of Persons With Intellectual Disabilities.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR42.3% of people with recorded intellectual disability in Finland had psychotropics dispensed, versus 15.0% in matched controls without intellectual disability. Antipsychotics were most common, and 18.2% had psychotropic polypharmacy.
• OTSLPCohort2026Through Parents' Eyes: Perspectives on Child Development and Family Experience During ESDM Intervention.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchParents reported child progress across communication, play, daily living, and social domains, plus improved parenting skills and family well-being during six months of intensive therapist-delivered ESDM plus weekly parent coaching. Parental anxiety decreased; depression stayed stable.