PHYSICAL THERAPY

Research for physical therapy

Papers a physiotherapist can act on — musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory and paediatric practice — each read in full and summarised without overstating what it found.

13,066 PAPERS · PAGE 1 OF 262 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTRNRCT2017Using Perceived Self-efficacy to Improve Fatigue and Fatigability In Postsurgical Lung Cancer Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Cancer nursingA nurse-supported home Wii walking and balance program, pedometer, education, visits and safety monitoring was feasible and safe; post-surgical lung cancer patients had lower fatigue at week 6 than usual care; pilot cannot isolate components.
• PTOTRNSurvey2016A Comparison of the Quality of Life in Patients With Primary and Secondary Lower Limb Lymphedema: A Mixed-Methods Study.Western journal of nursing researchPatients with primary, cancer-related, and non-cancer-related lower-limb lymphedema reported similar high psychosocial symptom burden. They described body-image distress, clothing and access problems, and burdensome self-care.
• PTCohort2016Cognitive Function Does Not Impact Self-reported Health-Related Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingObjective cognitive testing showed little link to self-reported quality of life in heart failure patients. Depression and disease severity were the strong predictors. Executive function had a tiny, weak association, but overall, cognitive deficits did not explain poor quality of life.
• PTOTRNQualitative2017A Study of the Amputee Experience of Viewing Self in the Mirror.Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation NursesAmputees described first mirror views as shock and anguish. They recommended nurses offer mirrors gradually, with support and privacy, and said mirrors helped them recognize the limb, check skin, and watch gait. These practices were not tested.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2017Interventions Promoting Physical Activity in African American Women: An Integrative Review.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingInterventions for African American women produced mixed results, with many showing increased activity but others showing no change. Culturally tailored and home-based strategies showed promise, though most studies relied on self-reported data and lacked long-term follow-up.
• PTSurvey2016Predictors of Obesity in a US Sample of High School Adolescents With and Without Disabilities.The Journal of school healthHigh school students who reported a disability had 16% obesity versus 10% in peers, plus lower activity and more fasting, diet pills, vomiting or laxatives. Screen weight-control risk and ask about activity access.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2016Biobehavioral determinants of glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Patient education and counselingFor people with type 2 diabetes, dietary adherence was most linked to long-term glucose control, self-efficacy was linked to adherence and BMI, and glucose monitoring was linked to higher short-term glucose. Match diabetes education to the specific goal.
• PTCohort2016Sex Differences in the Clinical Progression of Parkinson's Disease.Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNNIn 4,679 people with Parkinson’s disease, one-year progression was broadly similar for men and women, with only small sex differences in daily living scores and delayed recall.
• PTRNSystematic Review2016An integrative review of physical activity/exercise intervention effects on function and health-related quality of life in older adults with heart failure.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults with heart failure in 12 exercise trials had mixed physical-function and quality-of-life results. Five improved both, one improved function only, one improved quality of life only, five showed no difference, and no trial reported adverse events.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2016Enhanced Physical Activity Improves Selected Outcomes in Children With ADHD: Systematic Review.Western journal of nursing researchPhysical activity is linked to better attention and behavior in children with ADHD, but effects on physical health measures are inconsistent. The evidence is weak due to small, varied studies, so it supports adding activity to care rather than replacing treatment.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2017Collective Care: Multiple Caregivers and Multiple Care Recipients in Mexican American Families.Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing SocietyMexican American families often provide collective care, with one person caring for several relatives or multiple people sharing one patient's care. Daughters were usually the primary caregivers, and families viewed this duty as an honor rather than a burden, even when their own health suffered.
• PTQualitative2016Veterans' pain management goals: Changes during the course of a peer-led pain self-management program.Patient education and counselingVeterans in a peer-led pain self-management program described clearer, more specific goals and plans, though some goals or strategies became less specific or unchanged.
• PTRNSurvey2016Muscle Weakness Is Associated With Diabetes in Older Mexicans: The Mexican Health and Aging Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn older Mexican adults, diabetes was more common among those with weak grip strength relative to body mass. Men: 39.3% weak vs 25.3% strong. Women: 51.0% weak vs 31.5% strong.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2017Preferences and concerns for care needs in advanced Parkinson's disease: a qualitative study of couples.Journal of clinical nursingCouples with advanced Parkinson's disease described frequent falls, speech and swallowing problems, financial strain and lack of prognostic information as major concerns. They wanted to stay home but often had no plans because they did not know what to expect.
• PTCohort2016Transition Between the Timed up and Go Turn to Sit Subtasks: Is Timing Everything?Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationA longer pause after turning before sitting, or a longer overlap where sitting starts before turning finishes, was linked to poorer motor and cognitive function and more disability in 1,055 older adults.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2016Protein Supplementation Does Not Significantly Augment the Effects of Resistance Exercise Training in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationProtein supplements did not significantly boost the strength or muscle gains from resistance training in older adults. While training itself worked, adding protein made no difference compared to training alone for most people.
• PTRNOther2016Predictive Performance of a Fall Risk Assessment Tool for Community-Dwelling Older People (FRAT-up) in 4 European Cohorts.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationFRAT-up modestly predicted falls in community-dwelling older adults across four European cohorts, but accuracy varied widely. It overestimated risk in two cohorts, so it gives only a modest risk signal.
• PTOTRNCohort2017Ability of Self-Reported Frailty Components to Predict Incident Disability, Falls, and All-Cause Mortality: Results From a Population-Based Study of Older British Men.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAsking older men about slow walking, low activity, exhaustion, and weight loss flagged later disability, falls, or death. These simple questions pointed to higher risk as well as or better than objective frailty tests.
• PTRNRCT2016Stages of change of behavior in women on a multi-professional program for treatment of obesity.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemWomen who completed a 16-week group program with nurse-led education had lower weight, body mass index, waist size and waist-hip ratio after the program. Controls did not show reductions. It mixed exercise, diet advice and education, so one part cannot be credited.
• PTRNOther2016Osteoporosis Preventive Practice Between Veteran and Nonveteran Older Adults: Findings From Patient-Reported Data.Orthopedic nursingVeteran older adults reported less bone-health knowledge, less exercise, more falls, and less bone-density testing or supplements than nonveterans. Pain and disability were common barriers, while dietary intake was similar.
• PTOTQualitative2016Interprofessional Perspectives on ABCDE Bundle Implementation: A Focus Group Study.Dimensions of critical care nursing : DCCNICU staff said early mobility was the hardest part of the ABCDE bundle to carry out. Unclear roles, missing protocols, equipment problems, staffing gaps and fear of dislodging tubes blocked coordination.
• PTOTRNPilot2016Message Framing and Physical Activity Promotion in Colorectal Cancer Survivors.Oncology nursing forumGain-framed and loss-framed brochures increased physical activity equally in colorectal cancer survivors. Since there was no control group, it is unknown if the brochures worked better than no information or standard advice.
• PTOther2017Dynapenia and Metabolic Health in Obese and Nonobese Adults Aged 70 Years and Older: The LIFE Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationLow grip strength was not associated with worse metabolic risk in adults aged 70 and older. Metabolic syndrome, glucose, HDL, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure did not differ.
• PTRNNarrative Review2016Exercise Recommendations for the Management of Symptoms Clusters Resulting From Cancer and Cancer Treatments.Seminars in oncology nursingExercise is recommended for cancer patients and survivors with symptom clusters; oncology nurses should discuss activity and refer to qualified exercise professionals. Physical therapists can prescribe aerobic, resistance, stretching, yoga or tai chi.
• PTRNOther2017Do children with cystic fibrosis receiving outreach care have poorer clinical outcomes than those treated at a specialist cystic fibrosis centre?The Australian journal of rural healthChildren with cystic fibrosis in outreach clinics did not have poorer lung function, body mass index or P. aeruginosa colonisation than children at a specialist centre. Socio-economic status and remoteness did not significantly change lung function or BMI.
• PTRNNarrative Review2016Exploring Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia Options in Trauma: A Nursing Perspective.Journal of trauma nursing : the official journal of the Society of Trauma NursesTrauma pain care can use opioid-sparing options and the right pain scale; nurses and physical therapists need to watch for safety and use distraction as an adjunct, not a replacement.
• PTRCT2017Slow-paced respiration therapy to treat symptoms in pulmonary arterial hypertension.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careTen women with pulmonary hypertension on PAH medicines used a guided slow-breathing device daily before bed for eight weeks. All completed the study and used it often. Some sleep measures and a blood inflammation marker showed small favorable changes, but the study cannot show benefit.
• PTOTSLPRNCase Report2017Living in Limbo: Latinas' Assessment of Lower Rio Grande Valley Colonias Communities.Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)Latinas in Texas colonias described a theme of "living in limbo" where fear of immigration enforcement, poverty, and unsafe environments severely limited their willingness to engage in physical activity. Existing community assets like parks and schools were often viewed as inaccessible or exclusive.
• PTOTRNOther2017Falls, Cognitive Impairment, and Gait Performance: Results From the GOOD Initiative.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn older adults able to walk without help, non-Alzheimer dementia was linked to more falls than cognitively healthy adults, while Alzheimer dementia was not. Slower walking speed tracked falls broadly; variable stride time did so mainly in cognitively healthy adults.
• PTRNSurvey2017Cardiac rehabilitation knowledge in patients with coronary heart disease in Baoding city of China: A cross-sectional study.International journal of nursing sciences500 hospitalized patients with coronary heart disease had a cardiac rehabilitation awareness rate of 47.31%; only 10.2% had heard of it, and 6.6% knew optimal medication for secondary prevention.
• PTRNSystematic Review2017Using digital interventions for self-management of chronic physical health conditions: A meta-ethnography review of published studies.Patient education and counselingPatients using digital self-management tools felt more aware of their condition and motivated by their readings, while some relied on clinicians to detect problems. Clinicians valued control but worried about monitoring burden. This reports experiences, not outcome effects.
• PTRNCohort2017Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: Families and Healthcare Team Interaction Trajectories During Acute Hospitalization.Journal of pediatric nursingChart reviews of 35 hospitalized children with traumatic brain injury described three phases of family interaction: information seeking, watchful waiting, and decision making. These phases occurred at different times depending on injury severity, suggesting communication strategies should be tailored to the child's specific stage of recovery.
• PTOTRNCohort2017ED Utilization and Self-Reported Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Journal of emergency nursingPain, tiredness and breathlessness were common whether older adults went to the emergency department or not. ED use was linked more to taking more medications, difficulty with daily activities and balance problems than to symptoms alone.
• PTRCT2017Translating Evidence-Based Protocols Into the Home Healthcare Setting.Home healthcare nowHome care physical therapists trained in a pain self-management program added to usual PT care did not document most examined elements more than PTs without training. Imagery documentation was higher. Therapists said the program added 15 to 20 additional minutes per visit.
• PTRNCohort2017Effects of Postacute Settings on Readmission Rates and Reasons for Readmission Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMedicare patients discharged home after knee replacement had lower 30-day readmission rates than those discharged to skilled nursing or inpatient rehabilitation. Infection was commonest early readmission reason; later readmissions were often digestive or urinary.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2017Cardiovascular risk and communication among early stage breast cancer survivors.Patient education and counselingMost breast cancer survivors had cardiovascular risks but felt healthy. Half of overweight survivors never discussed weight with their team. Those who did often found it dismissive. Survivors wanted specific, actionable lifestyle guidance rather than general advice.
• PTRNCohort2017Homecare and Healthcare Utilization Errors Post-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge.Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal NursesMost high-risk NICU graduates had at least one homecare or follow-up error after discharge; home visits found 63.1% of infants affected, and most errors appeared at the first visit.
• PTOTRNQualitative2017Life after stroke in Appalachia.International journal of nursing sciencesRural stroke survivors described recovery as adjusting to a new body, emotions, and dependence. Anger, guilt, loneliness, and transport barriers shaped post-discharge life. Mood and access need assessment alongside function.
• PTSurvey2017Evaluating challenges for improving medically unexplained symptoms in US military veterans via provider communication.Patient education and counselingVeterans with medically unexplained symptoms who said their doctor discussed the symptoms and treatment were more likely to report following treatment. Being sympathetic and concerned alone was not linked to adherence. Neither communication style was linked to reported health improvement.
• PTCohort2017The Association Between Muscle Weakness and Incident Diabetes in Older Mexican Americans.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationWeak grip strength in older Mexican Americans was linked to later diabetes diagnosis in both sexes. This is an association, not proof that strength training prevents diabetes.
• PTSurvey2017Attitude and knowledge about foot health: a spanish view.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemPeople attending a podiatric clinic linked the importance they gave to foot health with regular foot check-ups, proper footwear, walking, family and peer support, and a perceived need for professional foot care.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2017Changes in Daily Life of Iranian Patients with implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Qualitative Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyIranian patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators described losing work and social roles, facing marriage rejection, and experiencing family conflict from excessive care. They shifted to light activities and self-care to manage fear of shocks, highlighting the psychosocial burden beyond the device's technical function.
• PTRNSurvey2017Assessment of risk of falls in elderly living at home.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemAmong 240 older adults living at home, high fall risk was linked to female sex, cognitive impairment, previous falls, visual impairment, living alone and rheumatic diseases. Screening should ask about these factors.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2017Assessment of Activity of Daily Living Among Older Adult Patients in Home Healthcare and Skilled Nursing Facilities: An Integrative Review.Home healthcare nowOlder adult ADL assessments in home health and skilled nursing use different tools, definitions, scoring and reporters, so scores may not be comparable. Check the method before using it to guide care.
• PTRNOther2017Associations between frailty syndrome and sociodemographic characteristics in long-lived individuals of a community.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemAmong 243 community-dwelling adults 80+, 36 were frail, 155 were pre-frail and 52 were not frail. Age was linked to frailty, but the predictive models were not supported.
• PTCohort2017Changes in Physical Activity in the School, Afterschool, and Evening Periods During the Transition From Elementary to Middle School.The Journal of school healthSchool-day activity dropped sharply as children moved from elementary to middle school, especially in the first year. Boys and girls both lost school-day movement, while afterschool and evening patterns differed by sex.
• PTSurvey2017Psychometric properties of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale in Mexican elderly women.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn 329 older Mexican women, a Spanish exercise beliefs questionnaire measured perceived benefits reliably, but the barriers part was weaker and needs review before guiding exercise counseling.
• PTOTSystematic Review2017Mobilization of prolonged mechanical ventilation patients: An integrative review.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careMost studies in prolonged mechanical ventilation patients found mobilization improved function and ventilation time, but protocols and outcome definitions varied, and low-quality evidence means benefit is not proven. No harms were reported.
• PTOTCohort2017Perceptions of Workload Burden and Adherence to ABCDE Bundle Among Intensive Care Providers.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesUnits whose providers reported more workload burden were less likely to complete the ABCDE bundle. Units whose providers found it harder to carry out were less likely to do early mobility. Attitudes about safety, confidence and evidence were not linked.
• PTOTRNOther2017Assessment of Fall Characteristics From Depth Sensor Videos.Journal of gerontological nursingMost falls in senior housing videos came from incorrect transfers or shifts of body weight, not slips. Check mobility aid use, because aids were present but unused in 20% of falls and in use in 40%.