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 7 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTSLPOther2026Linking Emotion Dysregulation to Autistic Traits Across Neurodiverse Samples.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceCaregiver reports linked emotion dysregulation to social communication and repetitive behavior challenges in autistic and non-autistic youth. Autistic youth also had higher dysphoria and reactivity. The paper cannot show treating emotion problems improves these traits.
• OTQualitative2026Negotiating precarity - employment experiences of Canadian young adults in social housing.Work (Reading, Mass.)Young adults in social housing valued work but faced low-paid jobs, mental health strain, childcare gaps, stigma, and fear of losing benefits or housing. Only two were employed. They said support was lacking.
• PTOTOther2016Factors associated with attitudes and beliefs of elders with acute low back pain: data from the study Back Complaints in the Elders (BACE).Brazilian journal of physical therapyIn elders with acute low back pain, higher disability, more depressive symptoms, and lower expectation of returning to activities were associated with more negative back-pain beliefs. The study cannot show these factors caused the beliefs.
• PTOTSurvey2016Analysis of stress, musculoskeletal disorders, and fatigue among broadcasting actors.Journal of physical therapy scienceMost broadcasting actors reported high psychosocial stress and fatigue. Regular exercise was linked to lower stress and fatigue. Smoking correlated with higher psychosocial stress and fatigue but not occupational stress. Job demands and insecurity were the primary occupational stressors.
• PTOTSurvey2017Safety and walking ability of KAFO users with the C-Brace® Orthotronic Mobility System, a new microprocessor stance and swing control orthosis.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalThirteen knee orthosis users reported a microprocessor knee orthosis, given with fitting and training, was easier and safer than previous orthoses for many daily activities, especially mobility, stairs, ramps and uneven ground. Dressing and hygiene did not improve.
• PTOTCohort2016Objective and Self-Reported Physical Activity Measures and Their Association With Depression and Satisfaction With Life in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPeople with spinal cord injury who pushed their wheelchairs farther reported fewer depressive symptoms. However, time spent in leisure activities predicted life satisfaction, not general wheelchair distance. This suggests targeting specific meaningful activities for well-being, while overall movement helps mood.
• OTQualitative2017'I Know it was Every Week, but I Can't be Sure if it was Every Day: Domestic Violence and Women with Learning Disabilities.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDWomen with mild learning disabilities described severe, ongoing partner abuse that often continued after leaving. Many felt unsupported by services, yet most later reported improved lives once free.
• OTCohort2016COMT and ANKK1 Genetics Interact With Depression to Influence Behavior Following Severe TBI: An Initial Assessment.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairGenetic variations in dopamine processing did not predict behavior problems after severe TBI on their own. However, among patients with post-TBI depression, those with specific gene combinations reported significantly more behavioral issues at 12 months post-injury.
• PTOTCase-Control2017Factors inducing falling in schizophrenia patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 19 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia, those who had fallen showed poorer balance on the Time Up and Go test and one-leg stand, plus more medication side effects like drooling. Antipsychotic drug dose itself did not differ between groups.
• OTCohort2017External Validation and Update of a Prediction Rule for the Duration of Sickness Absence Due to Common Mental Disorders.Journal of occupational rehabilitationThe old rule for predicting who would still be off work 3 months after reporting sick with a common mental disorder did not work well. Asking how varied their work is improved early spotting, but the updated rule needs testing.
• OTSLPOther2017Neurobehavioral Characteristics of Older Veterans With Remote Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationOlder veterans with remote TBI had worse everyday function, more depression and PTSD symptoms, and poorer executive function/processing speed than peers without TBI; memory and language scores were not different.
• OTOther2017Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation of stroke patients on depression and quality of life.Journal of physical therapy scienceStroke patients with severe depression who received conventional occupational therapy plus tDCS had lower depression scores and higher quality-of-life scores than those receiving conventional occupational therapy plus false tDCS.
• PTOTOther2016Use of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Short Version in Mild to Moderate Parkinson Disease.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationThe WHOQOL-BREF showed people with mild to moderate Parkinson disease reported lower quality of life than controls in physical, psychological, social, overall, and health satisfaction, but not environment. Fatigue, depression, apathy, and daily function related more closely to quality of life than motor scores.
• PTOTOther2016Measurement characteristics for two health-related quality of life measures in older adults: The SF-36 and the CDC Healthy Days items.Disability and health journalCDC Healthy Days items matched SF-36 physical and mental health scores in older adults, except physical functioning. A brief unhealthy-days question may miss function-specific problems.
• OTSurvey2017Work and Mental Complaints: Are Response Outcome Expectancies More Important Than Work Conditions and Number of Subjective Health Complaints?Journal of occupational rehabilitationIn working adults, a high number of everyday health complaints was the strongest sign of anxiety and depression, not work strain or coping beliefs. Helplessness and hopelessness were linked to depression and combined anxiety and depression, but the links were small.
• PTOTOther2016Community and social participation among adults with mobility impairments: A mixed methods study.Disability and health journalFor adults with mobility impairments, pain, fatigue, and limited function were the clearest barriers to community and social life. In 462 survey participants, better health and function were strongly linked to more participation; neighborhood factors and personal confidence were not.
• PTOTCohort2017Parkinsonian signs are a risk factor for falls.Gait & postureOlder adults with mild parkinsonian signs were more likely to fall during follow-up, even after common fall risk factors were considered. Their falls were also more likely to result in injury and emergency service use.
• PTOTRCT2016Short-term effects of goal-setting focusing on the life goal concept on subjective well-being and treatment engagement in subacute inpatients: a quasi-randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationAdding life goals to structured goal-setting did not improve general emotional well-being or function more than structured goals alone. Therapists rated engagement higher than both control groups, and anxiety was lower than no structured goal-setting.
• OTOther2017Development and Validation of the State-Trait Inventory of Cognitive Fatigue in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationThe 32-item State-Trait Inventory of Cognitive Fatigue produced four subscales in both state and trait forms in 175 older adults. Its cognitive fatigue subscale stayed linked to general fatigue after depression was considered. It may help separate cognitive fatigue from mood, but not prove decline.
• OTSLPRCT2016A Replication and Extension of the PEERS® for Young Adults Social Skills Intervention: Examining Effects on Social Skills and Social Anxiety in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersYoung adults with autism who completed this 16-week social skills group showed better social skills knowledge, empathy, and fewer problem behaviors than those on a waitlist. They also reported more social interactions. However, the group did not significantly reduce loneliness or social anxiety compared to waitlist controls.
• PTOTRCT2016Technology-assisted stroke rehabilitation in Mexico: a pilot randomized trial comparing traditional therapy to circuit training in a Robot/technology-assisted therapy gym.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobot gym therapy matched traditional therapy for arm function but improved leg movement scores more. The groups differed sharply in age, with the robot group much younger. The robot gym allowed one therapist to supervise six patients at once, potentially doubling daily treatment volume.
• PTOTPilot2017Telehealth monitor to measure physical activity and pressure relief maneuver performance in wheelchair users.Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNAA wheelchair sensor under the user's own cushion correctly classified 225 of 240 lab pressure relief attempts and detected 2112 pushes when the push-rim measured 2162, but it was not tested in real-world use or for health outcomes.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2017Traumatic brain injury caregivers: A qualitative analysis of spouse and parent perspectives on quality of life.Neuropsychological rehabilitationParents describe returning to parenting a child and fear for the future, while partners report losing intimacy and the stress of making decisions alone. Both groups feel isolated and overwhelmed. These distinct burdens mean you should assess parents and spouses separately rather than treating all caregivers as one group.
• OTSLPCohort2016Effects of Depression and Antidepressant Use on Cognitive Deficits and Functional Cognition Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationIn severe TBI, depression was not linked to worse cognitive test scores, but people with depression reported more everyday cognitive limitations. Antidepressant use was linked to worse cognitive scores, not necessarily causing them.
• OTSLPCohort2017Mid-childhood outcomes of infant siblings at familial high-risk of autism spectrum disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research15 of 42 high-risk siblings met autism criteria at age 7; they had lower adaptive behaviour and more ADHD and anxiety than low-risk controls. The 24 high-risk siblings without autism had typical-range IQ and language but more separation anxiety.
• OTCohort2017Functional Goals and Predictors of Their Attainment in Low-Income Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationLow-income older adults fully attained 73.5% of their home-based functional goals. Attainment was higher for transferring and stairs, but lower for walking and community tasks. Participants were more likely to succeed if they were ready to change, had severe pain, or had home hazards.
• PTOTSurvey2017Interrelationship among the health-related and subjective quality of life, daily life activities, instrumental activities of daily living of community-dwelling elderly females in orthopedic outpatients.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn older women attending orthopedic clinics, less pain, better general health, more energy, better social life, and better mental health went with greater happiness. Happiness did not track daily activity or practical independence. Physical function tracked daily and practical activities, and energy tracked practical activities.
• OTCohort2017Rehospitalization in the First Year Following Veteran and Service Member TBI: A VA TBI Model Systems Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationVeterans and Service Members after inpatient TBI rehabilitation were readmitted often: 164 of 401 had at least one hospitalization within a year, and inpatient rehabilitation was the leading reason. Longer post-traumatic amnesia and delayed command following were associated with rehospitalization.
• PTOTPilot2017Treatment diary for botulinum toxin spasticity treatment: a pilot study.International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptationTen patients using a paper diary between botulinum toxin injections reported feeling more involved in their care. Most found it worth the time, though some struggled with instructions. The diary helps track spasticity effects but has not yet been proven to improve clinical outcomes.
• OTRCT2017The effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on depression, visual perception, and activities of daily living in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceThe rTMS group had lower depression scores and higher visual perception and ADL scores over 4 weeks, but the control group also improved by week 8. All 44 stroke patients with unilateral neglect also received conventional rehabilitation, so rTMS was not shown to work alone.
• OTSLPCase Report2017Developmental Regression, Depression, and Psychosocial Stress in an Adolescent with Down Syndrome.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPIn an adolescent with Down syndrome and intellectual disability, function improved after antidepressant treatment, CPAP for sleep apnea, and school environment change. No single component can be credited.
• OTCohort2017Participation in recreational activities buffers the impact of perceived stress on quality of life in adults with autism spectrum disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn adults with autism, higher perceived stress was linked to lower quality of life. The link was weaker for adults taking part in recreational activities at least weekly; social activities did not show this pattern.
• OTCohort2017Perceived social support moderates the relationship between activities of daily living and depression after lower limb loss.Rehabilitation psychologyIn 73 people after lower-limb amputation, those who found daily activities difficult had higher depression at 12 months when they also had low social support. The study did not test whether increasing support reduces depression.
• OTOther2017Utility of providing a concussion definition in the assessment of concussion history in former NFL players.Brain injuryFormer NFL players reported many more concussions after hearing a current definition. The median self-report rose from 10 to 50. Higher reports were linked to worse mood and behaviour, not cognitive scores.
• OTCohort2017Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Medicare Beneficiaries After Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationAfter hospitalization for traumatic brain injury, older adults had more anxiety and PTSD diagnoses than before injury. Anxiety appeared in 17% and PTSD in 0.3%, with rates highest in the first months.
• OTSurvey2017The Health and Economic Well-Being of US Mothers with Intellectual Impairments.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDMothers grouped as having intellectual impairments by a vocabulary test score below 80 more often reported a work-limiting health condition, lower income, poverty and WIC benefits than other mothers. Emotional health, parenting stress and partner support did not differ.
• OTCohort2017Child and Adult Factors Related to Quality of Life in Adults with Autism.Journal of autism and developmental disordersQuality of life ratings for adults who could self-report, and for their families or care staff, were mostly near population averages. Their own and caregiver views often disagreed, especially on social life.
• OTSurvey2017Impact of Grandchild Caregiving on African American Grandparents.Occupational therapy in health careMost African American grandparent caregivers enjoyed caring for grandchildren. Grandchild behavioral problems were linked to negative health and leisure effects. Co-residence and daily care were linked to negative leisure effects, and co-residence was linked to negative financial impact.
• OTCohort2016Factors Influencing Rehospitalisation of Patients with Schizophrenia in Japan: A 1-year Longitudinal Study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTIn 44 discharged patients with schizophrenia, a one-to-one OT package of motivational interviewing, self-monitoring, individualized visits, handicraft activities, individualized psychoeducation, and discharge planning plus group OT and outpatient adherence were associated with lower 1-year rehospitalisation. The study cannot show which parts caused this.
• OTSurvey2016Impact of Cognitive and Psychological Symptoms on Work Productivity and Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors in Hong Kong.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTEmployed breast cancer survivors did not show greater overall work productivity loss or lower overall quality of life than healthy women. They reported more work-related cognitive symptoms, and those symptoms were linked to lower quality of life.
• OTNarrative Review2017An Ecological Framework to Support Small-Scale Shared Housing for Persons with Neurocognitive Disorders of the Alzheimer's and Related Types: A Literature Review.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTSmall-scale shared housing often showed better quality of life, daily activity, social engagement, and less physical restraint use than traditional long-term care. Cognitive results were mixed, and no study proved the housing model works better.
• OTSLPCohort2017The EU-AIMS Longitudinal European Autism Project (LEAP): clinical characterisation.Molecular autismAutism symptoms looked more severe in males than females on clinician and parent interview measures, but parent questionnaires showed no sex difference and adult females reported higher symptoms. Adults had lower parent-reported symptoms than children.
• OTPilot2017Activity Disengagement: Understanding Challenges and Opportunities for Reengagement.Occupational therapy internationalOlder adults in senior housing often gave up everyday tasks and social activities or did them less. No opportunity was common for everyday tasks; no one to do it with was common for social activities. Companionship and opportunity were common answers about doing activities again.
• OTRCT2017Massage and Storytelling Reduce Aggression and Improve Academic Performance in Children Attending Elementary School.Occupational therapy internationalChildren in weekly massage classes plus daily paired massage, and children in weekly storytelling classes plus daily paired retelling, had fewer teacher-recorded aggressive episodes and higher mean grades than control children in an extra class plus daily paired recall in one public school.
• OTPilot2017Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Individuals with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.Occupational therapy internationalFatigue severity did not change after a six-week lupus fatigue programme, though participants reported using pacing, rest breaks, and delegation. Depression scores fell from baseline to eight weeks. This was a small uncontrolled pilot.
• OTRCT2017Robotic Assistance for Training Finger Movement Using a Hebbian Model: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairHigh robotic assistance did not improve the primary hand function outcome more than low assistance, but both groups improved. Higher assistance was more motivating and was linked to more benefit for more severely impaired patients with intact proprioception.
• OTRCT2017Interrelationship between insistence on sameness, effortful control and anxiety in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Molecular autismAmong 71 adolescents and young adults with autism, rigid sameness behaviours, lower self-control and anxiety moved together. Each link was partly explained by the third. This does not show that treating one will change the others.
• OTRCT2017Longitudinal trajectories of post-concussive and depressive symptoms in adolescents with prolonged recovery from concussion.Brain injuryAdolescents with persistent concussion symptoms and depression had lower symptom scores over six months. Higher concussion scores predicted faster depression improvement. Initial depression did not predict faster concussion improvement. The two symptom sets changed together.
• OTQualitative2017Developing and Sustaining Recovery-Orientation in Mental Health Practice: Experiences of Occupational Therapists.Occupational therapy internationalAustralian occupational therapists described recovery-oriented mental health practice as ongoing work. They sought knowledge, found fit with occupational therapy identity, maintained hope, strengthened clinical reasoning, and tried to shape supportive teams and workplaces.
• OTOther2017The Construct of the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale Revision 4 for the Population of Taiwan.Occupational therapy internationalFor people with schizophrenia living in hospital in Taiwan, the quality-of-life scale made most sense as 29 items grouped into psychosocial, physical, and vitality scores. Four items may be removed.