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Geriatrics research

Everything we have read on geriatrics. 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.

1,442 PAPERS · PAGE 19 OF 29 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTNarrative Review2022A framework for rehabilitation for older adults living with dementia.Archives of physiotherapyNo finding to report.
• PTOtherEssential Components of Physical Therapist Management of Patients With Osteoporosis: A Delphi Study.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)Expert physical therapists agreed on 17 essential components for osteoporosis care, focusing on exercise history, fall risk, and education. They did not reach consensus on screening tools or specific manual therapies, prioritizing fracture prevention and safe movement instead.
• PTOtherAcademy of Geriatric Physical Therapy Research Agenda: Rationale for the Development and the Intent for Use.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)This is a strategic document outlining priorities for geriatric physical therapy research. It contains no clinical data, patient outcomes, or tested interventions, so it does not provide evidence to change how you treat patients.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022The importance of home: Satisfaction with accommodation, neighborhood, and life in adults with autism.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMost autistic adults in this study lived independently, and they rated their homes and neighborhoods as satisfying as matched non-autistic adults. Sensory sensitivity did not predict accommodation satisfaction. However, independently living autistic adults reported significantly lower overall life satisfaction than the community group.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Development and validation of a shortened and practical frailty index for people with intellectual disabilities.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRA 17-item frailty index for adults with intellectual disabilities closely matched the original 51-item tool and predicted survival. It is practical for clinical screening, though it is less precise than the full version.
• PTOTOther2021Differences of expected intervention effects between participant-led and facilitator-led preventive care services in Japan.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTNeither style was best. Facilitator-led classes improved sit-to-stand speed. Participant-led classes improved self-rated health and occupational deprivation, but facilitator-led classes had better Timed Up and Go scores.
• PTSurvey2022Risk factors for falls among community-dwelling older adults during voluntary self-isolation: analysis based on frailty screening index subscales.Journal of physical therapy scienceSaying they walked slower than before was the only frailty question independently linked with recent falls among older adults surveyed during voluntary self-isolation. Ask this question when in-person frailty testing is not possible.
• PTOTOther2022Recording of Falls in Elderly Fallers in Northern Greece and Evaluation of Aging Health-Related Factors and Environmental Safety Associated with Falls: A Cross-Sectional Study.Occupational therapy internationalMost falls happened indoors, especially at night in bedrooms and bathrooms. Poor lighting and clutter were key triggers. Despite repeated falls, very few participants made home safety changes because they lacked education on how to prevent them.
• PTOTOther2022Responding to stakeholder needs to engage rehabilitation professionals in the delivery of evidence-based health programming for adults with osteoarthritis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn a physical therapy program, students coaching free self-directed walking sessions reported communication and professional growth. 62 adults with osteoarthritis completed six weeks; 23 withdrew. Participants said coaching kept them interested and the program motivated them to become more active.
• PTRCT2022Effect of aerobic exercise training frequency on arterial stiffness in middle-aged and elderly females.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn healthy middle-aged and elderly females, 8 weeks of jogging or running twice or four times weekly lowered aortic stiffness. Four sessions also lowered other stiffness measures and some blood pressure values.
• PTOTCohort2022Balance factors affecting the quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.The South African journal of physiotherapyIn patients with knee osteoarthritis, greater body sway while standing was linked to lower quality of life scores in both physical and mental health. Other balance measures like reaction time did not correlate with quality of life. This suggests sway is a key marker for patient wellbeing.
• PTOTQualitative2022Exploring how occupational therapists and physiotherapists evaluate rehabilitation potential of older people in acute care.The British journal of occupational therapyTherapists judged older patients' rehab potential by comparing current function with pre-admission baseline, treating acute problems first, then watching response to therapy. Pathway choices often depended on bed and service availability more than clear criteria.
• PTOTOther2022Vibrotactile Perception for Sensorimotor Augmentation: Perceptual Discrimination of Vibrotactile Stimuli Induced by Low-Cost Eccentric Rotating Mass Motors at Different Body Locations in Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesVibrotactile intensity discrimination is best on the arm, knee, and shoulders, and worst on the torso. Older adults initially show poorer discrimination than younger adults, but this gap closes significantly after just three days of practice.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2022Delivering Trauma-Informed Care in a Hospital Ward for Older Adults With Dementia: An Illustrative Case Series.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn four cases of older adults with dementia, distress during personal care was linked to past trauma. Staff identified triggers like showering or male caregivers and adapted care. This reduced distress, but the cases show what happened, not that the approach works.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Embedding Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Home and Community Setting: A Rapid Review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHome and community pulmonary rehabilitation improved exercise capacity and quality of life for people with COPD, though often less than hospital-based programs. Home-based care offered flexibility and reduced travel burdens, while community settings provided social support.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Short Report: The influence of congregate setting on positive COVID-19 tests among a high-risk sample of adults with intellectual and developmental disability in Ontario.Research in developmental disabilitiesAdults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in group homes had almost five times the odds of testing positive for COVID-19 compared to those in private settings. Older age, limited mobility, and aggression were also independent risk factors, with heightened risk appearing as early as age 45.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Risk factors for decline in gait speed during walking while talking in older adults.Gait & postureWalking speed while talking declined faster in older adults who were older, had poorer balance, or had faster single-task walking speeds. Poor balance was the strongest modifiable risk factor for this accelerated decline.
• PTOTOther2022Healthy ageing through participation in community situated activities: A scoping review of assessment instruments to support occupational therapy practice.Australian occupational therapy journalNo existing assessment tool comprehensively measures community participation for older adults because they ignore environmental factors like transport and accessibility. Therapists should not assume standard participation scores capture the barriers preventing patients from leaving home or engaging in daily life.
• PTOTPilot2022Utility of an obstacle-crossing test to classify future fallers and non-fallers at hospital discharge after stroke: A pilot study.Gait & postureStroke survivors who failed to step over a customized obstacle before hospital discharge were three times more likely to fall in the next three months. This simple test may help identify those needing extra fall prevention, though results are not precise enough for routine practice yet.
• PTOTCohort2022Impact of Falls and Fear of Falling on Participation, Autonomy and Life Satisfaction in the First Year After Spinal Cord Injury.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAfter discharge, falling alone was not linked to participation or life satisfaction. Fear of falling was linked to lower indoor, outdoor and family autonomy; falling with fear was linked to poorer social life and lower life satisfaction.
• PTOTQualitative2022Experiences of community-dwelling older adults with chronic low back pain in Hong Kong and Switzerland - A qualitative study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOlder adults with chronic low back pain reported trouble walking, sitting and housework, plus worry and feeling a burden to family, especially in Hong Kong. They also described keeping family roles, support, contentment and social activities.
• PTSurvey2022Knowledge about foot-specific foot falls risk factors and exercise among physiotherapists in the UK and Portugal: A cross-sectional survey.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyUK physiotherapists reported inspecting feet and prescribing exercises more frequently than Portuguese colleagues, despite both groups rating foot health as important. UK therapists felt more confident in screening and delivering falls prevention programmes. Portuguese therapists were more likely to feel their basic training was sufficient.
• PTOther2022Evaluation of the tissue thickness of the supraspinatus and biceps long head tendons using ultrasound among elderly patients with unilateral adhesive capsulitis in the freezing phase.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn elderly people with freezing-phase shoulder pain and a positive shoulder test, ultrasound showed thicker supraspinatus and biceps long head tendons on the painful side than the other side. The difference was larger than in people with negative shoulder tests, suggesting possible treatment targets.
• PTOTOther2022Physical function and health-related quality of life of community-dwelling older adults with locomotive syndrome and pre-frailty.Journal of physical therapy scienceOlder adults with locomotive syndrome and pre-frailty had lower health-related quality of life and slower sit-to-stand than robust peers. Those with locomotive syndrome alone had poorer mobility test scores and slower walking, but similar quality of life.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Recommending Physical Activity to Your Aging Patients? What Clinicians Need to Know to Increase Adherence From the Older Adult Perspective.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOlder adults often reject generic exercise advice because they view aging as a barrier and lack tailored support. They prioritize social connection and autonomy over physical challenge. Clinicians should screen for individual preferences and barriers rather than just prescribing step counts or guidelines.
• PTOTPilot2022Myosteatosis as a Shared Biomarker for Sarcopenia and Cachexia Using MRI and Ultrasound.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesUltrasound echo intensity correlated strongly with MRI fat fraction, suggesting it can estimate muscle fat infiltration at the bedside. However, neither measure distinguished healthy older adults from those undergoing cancer treatment, and traditional mass metrics like BMI showed no such correlation.
• PTOTRCT2022Effects of the Otago Exercise Program in older hypertensive patients with pre-frailty.Journal of physical therapy scienceTwelve weeks of the Otago Exercise Program improved frailty scores, gait speed, and balance in older adults with hypertension and pre-frailty. However, it did not significantly lower systolic blood pressure compared to routine walking, and diastolic blood pressure changes showed only a modest difference between groups.
• PTOTOther2022Implementation of falls risk evaluation at one-year after total hip arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study.Archives of physiotherapyOne year after hip replacement, 23% fell, yet most had balance confidence above 80. Nearly half of patients received no falls education, and only 2% used exercise to prevent falls. Standard screening missed these deficits, suggesting performance-based tests are needed.
• PTOther2022Slowing down to preserve balance in the presence of optical flow perturbations.Gait & postureHealthy young adults slowed their walking speed by 5.7% when visual perturbations threatened balance, but only when they could choose their speed. At a fixed speed, the same perturbations widened steps and increased instability.
• PTOTOther2022State of the Art Physiotherapist-Led Approaches to Safe Aging in Place.Archives of physiotherapyThis Masterclass outlines a physiotherapist-led assessment framework for older adults at risk of falls, detailing specific screening tools for cognition, mood, frailty, and home safety. It describes the HOP-UP-PT intervention model, which combines exercise, motivational interviewing, and environmental modifications to support aging in place.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2022What is intended by the term "participation" and what does it mean to people living with dementia? A conceptual overview and directions for future research.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThere is no agreed definition of "participation" for people with dementia, and current tests measure daily tasks or memory, not social involvement. Clinicians should not assume standard assessments capture a patient's desire to stay connected or their lived experience of social life.
• PTPilot2022Personalized practice dosages may improve motor learning in older adults compared to "standard of care" practice dosages: A randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOlder adults learning a standing stepping task did not show a clear overall group difference in general random-sequence retention, but personalized higher practice improved repeated-sequence retention compared with low-dose practice. Extra practice after plateau did not add benefit.
• PTOTOther2022Exploring the association between outcome measures to guide clinical management in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Journal of physical therapy scienceA self-reported three-question mobility score of 9 or less may indicate fall risk in ALS patients when physical testing is too demanding. This subscale tracked functional decline better than the total ALS rating scale.
• PTOTCase-Control2022Use of the Tokyo Cognitive Assessment for mild cognitive impairment to characterize elderly people that use day care services in Japan.Journal of physical therapy scienceDay care users showed slower walking and lower cognitive scores than healthy elders, but many cognitive sub-items were preserved. The overall test score is a rough guide; specific sub-item patterns matter more for detecting impairment.
• PTPilot2022Feasibility of a 4-Week Manual Therapy and Exercise Intervention on Posture and Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Study.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)A 4-week manual therapy and exercise programme was feasible for older adults with forward head or rounded shoulders. All 22 participants completed the course with no adverse events. Posture and self-reported function improved significantly, though objective walking and balance times showed less change.
• PTOTOther2022Normative Reference Values and Validity for the 30-Second Chair-Stand Test in Healthy Young Adults.International journal of sports physical therapyHealthy adults aged 18 to 35 averaged 33 chair stands in 30 seconds. The test reliably distinguished those meeting physical activity guidelines from those who did not, and correlated strongly with other lower-limb strength tests, supporting its use for this age group.
• PTOTCohort2022Geriatric Vulnerabilities Among Obese Older Adults With and Without Sarcopenia: Findings From a Nationally Representative Cohort Study.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)Obese older adults with sarcopenia had 6.4 times the odds of being frail and twice the odds of social isolation, depression, and pain compared to obese peers without sarcopenia. Screen for these vulnerabilities before prescribing weight loss or exercise.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Predictors of cognitive gains during inpatient rehabilitation for older adults with traumatic brain injury.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationOlder adults with TBI made clinically meaningful cognitive gains in inpatient rehab. Younger age, female sex, higher motor function, longer stays, and freestanding facilities predicted better recovery. Black and Hispanic patients had lower odds of favorable outcomes.
• PTOTCohort2022The association between sleep deficits and sedentary behavior in people with mild Parkinson disease.Disability and rehabilitationPeople with mild Parkinson disease slept less and were more sedentary than healthy adults. More sleep linked to less sitting time in both groups. But sleep did not predict step count or active minutes. Treat sitting and moving as separate issues when addressing sleep.
• PTOTCohort2023Pain, obesity, and physical function in Mexican American older adults during 20 years of follow-up.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationOlder Mexican Americans with both pain and obesity had 2.31 times the odds of low physical function over 20 years compared to those with neither. Pain alone also increased risk. Obesity alone did not show a significant association in this high-functioning group.
• PTOTOther2023Assessing wear time and perceptions of wearing an ankle foot orthosis in patients with peripheral artery disease.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMost participants with PAD wore their ankle orthoses about five days a week for eight hours. They reported improved walking distance but faced barriers at home, on stairs, and while driving. Do not assume high adherence or efficacy from this small pilot.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Views of in-person and virtual group exercise before and during the pandemic in people with Parkinson disease.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationPeople with Parkinson disease who moved from in-person to virtual group exercise reported maintaining or improving mobility and balance. They valued the social connection and convenience of Zoom classes, though few had been referred to the program by a doctor.
• PTOther2022The Kenevo microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee compared with non-microprocessor-controlled knees in individuals older than 65 years in Sweden: A cost-effectiveness and budget-impact analysis.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalFor people over 65 needing a first leg prosthesis, a microprocessor knee cost €6,576 more per patient but gained 0.58 quality-adjusted life years, yielding a cost-effectiveness ratio of €11,369 per QALY. This fell below Sweden’s higher willingness-to-pay threshold of €40,000 but exceeded the lower €8,000 threshold.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023Physical activity and perceived barriers in individuals with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMiddle-aged and older adults with traumatic brain injury were less likely to meet physical activity guidelines than younger adults, yet more often reported no barriers. Younger adults cited fatigue, time constraints, and gym discomfort more frequently.
• PTOTCohort2023Footwear characteristics and foot problems in community dwelling people with stroke: a cross-sectional observational study.Disability and rehabilitationEvery one of the thirty people with chronic stroke in this study had at least one foot problem, yet most wore slippers indoors. Half of those indoor shoes were ill-fitting. Clinicians should check footwear and foot health directly, as patients often miss these issues.
• PTPilot2022Feasibility of repeated session error-augmentation gait training for people with nontraumatic transtibial amputation.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalStep length symmetry improved one week after repeated split-belt error-augmentation training in people with non-traumatic transtibial amputation. Seven of eight completed training, but one developed a residual limb blister and there was no control group.
• PTOTSurvey2023Factors Influencing Mobility During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationDuring the early pandemic, 26.3% of older adults said physical activity was worse, while most reported no change in home or housework mobility. Walking volume, falls, pain, health, assistance, comorbidities, fear of falling, and pleasant neighborhoods were linked to better mobility.
• PTRCT2023Effect of Multicomponent Home-Based Training on Gait and Muscle Strength in Older Adults After Hip Fracture Surgery: A Single Site Randomized Trial.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationA targeted home exercise program did not improve walking speed more than an active control program in older adults after hip fracture surgery. Both groups improved walking speed; targeted training improved non-fractured leg strength more.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022The effects of rehabilitation therapy duration on functional recovery of patients with subacute stroke stratified by individual's age: a retrospective multicenter study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineLonger daily rehabilitation was linked to better functional recovery in stroke patients aged 70 and older, but not in those under 70. This suggests older adults may benefit more from increased therapy duration, while younger patients might already be receiving enough.
• PTOTOther2022A Prospective Assessment of an Adjustable, Immediate Fit, Subischial Transfemoral Prosthesis.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationEighteen people with transfemoral limb loss rated an adjustable subischial prosthesis significantly better than their conventional socket for comfort and fit after a two-week trial. Most kept the device, and none reported falls or skin breakdown.