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 11 OF 262 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRNQualitative2023Symptom management needs of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and concurrent anxiety and/or depression: A qualitative study.Journal of advanced nursingPatients with IBS and anxiety or depression described bowel symptoms and mood symptoms feeding into each other. They tried many strategies, found the low FODMAP diet burdensome and ineffective, and said unsupervised diet advice and dismissal worsened distress.
• PTOTOther2023Identifying Outcome Domains for Clinical Trials of Physical Rehabilitation Among Adults Undergoing Solid Organ Transplantation Using a Delphi Approach.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)Transplant patients and clinicians agreed on eight key outcome domains for rehabilitation trials, including exercise capacity and quality of life. However, consensus on a final core set failed in the second round, with only organ rejection remaining critical early post-transplant.
• PTOTRCT2023The Role of Psychological Factors in Chronic Pain Treatment Outcomes in the Military.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesAdding acupuncture, yoga, and chiropractic care to standard pain treatment did not improve outcomes or change psychological factors. However, patients whose pain catastrophizing decreased or self-efficacy increased before intensive restoration had better pain results afterwards.
• PTRNNarrative Review2023Evaluation and Treatment of Vulvodynia: State of the Science.Journal of midwifery & women's healthPelvic floor physical therapy reduced pain during intercourse more than overnight lidocaine in a randomized trial. Many other vulvodynia treatments showed no difference from placebo, so evidence is weak. Start with the least invasive treatments.
• PTRNCohort2023The Relationship of Oral Health with Progression of Physical Frailty among Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study Composed of Two Cohorts of Older Adults from the United Kingdom and United States.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults with fewer natural teeth, no teeth, or dry mouth were more likely to progress to physical frailty over 8 years. Links to severe frailty were weaker and often disappeared after adjustment.
• PTQualitative2023A Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals on Features of Digital Health Interventions to Support Physical Activity in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)Transplant clinicians, mostly physiotherapists, said a digital activity tool should give organ-specific exercise guidance, adaptable home programs, credible evidence, privacy, and two-way clinician follow-up. They worried staffing, costs, and device access could limit use.
• PTOther2023Development of the health literacy assessment instrument for chronic pain patients: A Delphi study.Nursing openA draft 41-item instrument to assess chronic pain patients' functional, interactive and critical health literacy was agreed by experts. It was not tested with patients, so it is not a validated clinical tool yet.
• PTRNNarrative Review2023What can we learn from the Baduanjin rehabilitation as COVID-19 treatment?: A narrative review.Nursing openIn 810 participants from 12 small Chinese studies, Baduanjin added to usual care was reported to reduce anxiety, depression, breathlessness and sleep problems, and improve activity endurance. Many also received other treatments and participants knew assignment, so this does not prove Baduanjin alone works.
• PTPilot2023A Novel App for Assessing the Caregivers' Physical Activity: A Pilot/Feasibility Study.Clinical nursing researchMuscle strength test values did not change over 6 weeks, although a wearable app was feasible for 23 caregivers.
• PTRNRCT2023Ambivalence is associated with decreased physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness among adolescents with critical congenital heart disease.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careAdolescents with congenital heart disease who reported strong benefits and strong barriers to activity were more sedentary, less active, and had lower fitness. Ask about mixed feelings, not just willingness.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2023Impact of COVID-19 on Long-Term Care Service Utilization of Older Home-Dwelling Adults in Japan.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationLong-term care service use for home-dwelling older adults in Japan dropped sharply during the April 2020 state of emergency. Commuting and short-stay services fell most, while home visits declined less. Recovery was uneven.
• PTQualitative2023Home-Based Care Provider Perspectives on Care Refusal During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of gerontological nursingHome health providers said older patients refused nurses and therapists because they feared catching COVID-19 from them. Providers described hospitalizations from missed wound, medication, drain, and post-operative care, and felt unprepared to calm patients.
• PTOTSLPRNPilot2023Feasibility of a standardized family participation programme in the intensive care unit: A pilot survey study.Nursing openMost relatives and ICU staff found a standardized menu of family participation activities feasible and applicable in daily practice. Relatives appreciated helping with care like reading aloud or applying lotion, while staff felt adequately trained and motivated to support this involvement.
• PTRNQualitative2023"Second set of eyes:" Family caregivers and post-acute home health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.Patient education and counselingFamily caregivers of older adults discharged home after COVID-19 described being cut off from hospital information, then overwhelmed at home. Home health visits were seen as needed support, but delays and reduced hours left gaps.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pan-Canadian Perspectives From Parents and Caregivers of Youth With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & PractitionersParents and caregivers of youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities described canceled therapies and school closures. They said their children regressed, showed anxiety, and families felt strained. Many found virtual therapies less helpful than in-person care.
• PTRNCohort2023Pain, Anxiety, and Quality of Life of COVID-19 Survivors with Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A cross sectional study.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesAdults with chronic trapezius myofascial pain who had PCR-positive symptomatic COVID-19 within 3 months reported worse pain, neck disability, anxiety, and quality of life than those without COVID symptoms. The study cannot show COVID caused this.
• PTRNCohort2023Impact of Food Insecurity and Undernutrition on Frailty and Physical Functioning in Aging People With HIV in the United States.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACIn 48 older people with HIV, food insecurity was linked to poorer balance, chair rise, and mobility scores; undernutrition was linked to frailty and weaker grip. This pilot cannot show these factors caused the impairments.
• PTRCT2023Effect of progressive muscle relaxation as an add-on to pulmonary telerehabilitation in discharged patients with COVID-19: A randomised controlled trial.Complementary therapies in clinical practiceAdding progressive muscle relaxation to pulmonary telerehabilitation did not improve functional capacity over telerehabilitation alone. It reduced fatigue and anxiety and improved sleep quality in discharged COVID-19 patients.
• PTRNOther2023Continuity of care for children with chronic conditions: mixed methods research.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PCaregivers rated hospital-to-home transition for children with chronic conditions at 89.5 points on a 0 to 100 scale, but interviews found no formal way to confirm primary care followed the child after discharge.
• PTRNRCT2023The Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chronic Care Patients.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationPatients with COPD or heart failure described fear, loneliness, and anger during the pandemic. They avoided care, isolated at home, and wanted personal contact and clear information about infection risk and vaccination.
• PTOther2023Brain predicted age difference mediates pain impact on physical performance in community dwelling middle to older aged adults.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)In adults with knee pain, higher pain impact was linked to lower balance, sit-to-stand, walking, and overall physical performance. Estimated brain age was also linked to walking and total performance.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2023Interventions to promote mobility and quality of life in nursing homes: A systematic review.Nursing openExercise and movement programmes for nursing home and assisted living residents mostly did not improve quality of life, although many improved mobility or balance. Do not assume getting residents moving alone will make them feel better.
• PTRNCohort2023Order of Onset of Physical Frailty and Cognitive Impairment and Risk of Repeated Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults who developed cognitive impairment and physical frailty within a year had the highest repeated-fall risk, 28.3%. Frailty-first versus cognitive-impairment-first did not differ after adjustment. This is an association, not a tested prevention programme.
• PTSurvey2023Weight-biased attitudes about pediatric patients with obesity in Dutch healthcare professionals from seven different professions.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityAmong Dutch professionals treating children with obesity, pediatricians and GPs reported the most negative weight-biased attitudes, while dieticians reported the lowest. These were self-reported attitudes, not observed patient care.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2023Effects of chair-based resistance band exercise on physical functioning, sleep quality, and depression of older adults in long-term care facilities: Systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesChair-based resistance band exercise improved daily living independence, strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, sleep quality and depression in older adults in long-term care. Sessions were about 40 to 46 min, three times weekly, for 12 to 60 weeks.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023Real-life experience of accepting assistive device services for Tibetans with dysfunction: A qualitative study.International journal of nursing sciencesTen Tibetan adults who used assistive devices said the devices helped daily life and eased family care, but poor fitting, unsafe paths, fall fear, and stigma made them hard to use. They wanted local professional guidance and financial support.
• PTOTRNCohort2023Incidence and risk factors of falls in older adults after discharge: A prospective study.International journal of nursing sciencesAmong 1,077 older Chinese adults after discharge, falls rose to 4.45% at 1 month, 9.03% at 6 months, and 10.80% at 12 months. Depression and frailty were independently associated with falls.
• PTRNCohort2023Identifying patterns of kinesiophobia trajectories among COPD patients: A longitudinal study.Nursing openFear of movement fell over six months in COPD patients, but 25.2% were in a high-fear group. Older age, female sex, low education, longer disease, severe pain, fatigue or breathlessness marked the high-fear group.
• PTCohort2023A temporal examination of inspiratory muscle strength and endurance in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careBreathing muscle endurance and work improved before discharge, but strength did not, and most scores stayed below predicted. Ninety percent still had symptoms one month later, fatigue most common.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023Medical staff's perception of factors contributing to accelerated rehabilitation in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: A qualitative research.Nursing openStaff cited inconsistent messaging and heavy workloads as barriers to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in cervical spinal cord injury. Nurses reported delaying catheter removal on night shifts due to staffing shortages. Patients' belief that rest aids healing reduced compliance with early mobilization.
• PTOther2023Relation of non-exercise walking activity with exercise performance in patients with peripheral artery disease: NEW activity for PAD.Journal of vascular nursing : official publication of the Society for Peripheral Vascular NursingFor PAD patients in a 12 week walking program, more steps outside formal sessions went with greater improvement in peak treadmill walking time. The study was small and observational, so it cannot show extra steps caused the gain.
• PTRNSurvey2023Prevalence of characteristics associated with sarcopenia in elders: a cross-sectional study.Revista brasileira de enfermagemIn primary care elders, 25.52% had probable sarcopenia, 11.8% had sarcopenia, and 9.90% had severe sarcopenia. Calf under 31 cm, male sex, dyslipidemia, polypharmacy and obesity were linked to higher prevalence. Cross-sectional data show association, not cause.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Pain and Associated Factors in Nursing Home Residents.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesNursing home residents with intact cognition, arthritis, depression, anxiety, or contractures were more likely to report severe or persistent pain. Residents with Alzheimer’s disease reported less pain, likely due to assessment difficulties rather than lower pain levels.
• PTOTRNOther2023Virtual Fracture Care in Long-Term Care Homes Avoiding Emergency Department Visits.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn 17 long-term care referrals, all residents avoided emergency department transfer, and 47% avoided fracture clinic transfer. Trained LTC nurses and physiotherapists stabilized injuries on site, but this is a small quality improvement report, not proof the pathway works.
• PTOTRNRCT2023Offloading of Diabetic Neuropathic Plantar Ulcers: Secondary Analysis of Step Activity and Ulcer Healing.Advances in skin & wound carePatients in nonremovable total contact casts healed 93% of diabetic foot ulcers in an average of 77 days. Those in removable walkers healed 65% in 138 days and took more steps, suggesting the cast's forced adherence and step restriction drive faster healing.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2023The content and effectiveness of physical activity for cancer-related fatigue among colorectal cancer survivors: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Nursing openPhysical activity reduced cancer-related fatigue in colorectal cancer survivors. Benefit was suggested with programmes lasting at least 6 months and weekly exercise under 150 minutes, not with shorter programmes or more than 150 minutes.
• PTRNQualitative2023Identifying unmet needs of older adults transitioning from home health care to independence at home: A qualitative study.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Home health patients and caregivers described unmet needs after discharge: low engagement in planning, difficulty accessing community services, and gaps in education for chronic illness and dementia. Clinicians reported limited awareness of these barriers.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2023Factors influencing foot care behaviour among patients with diabetes: An integrative literature review.Nursing openMost diabetic patients neglect foot care. Education helps, but knowledge alone fails: many know what to do yet do not. Barriers include cost, lack of family support, and fatalistic beliefs. Effective programs address these practical and psychological blocks, not just facts.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Predictive factors and clinical impact of ICU-acquired weakness on functional disability in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careHalf of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients developed ICU-acquired weakness, which delayed functional independence to a median of 41 days versus 19 days. Older age, neuromuscular blockers, pulse steroids, and sepsis were associated with weakness.
• PTRNCase-Control2023Factors associated with extubation failure in an intensive care unit: a case-control study.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemWeak cough and positive fluid balance were associated with extubation failure in ICU patients. Of 65 who failed, 39 underwent tracheostomy and 38 died. Do not read these factors as proven causes; the study was observational and cough was assessed subjectively.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Association Between Caregiver Burden and Patient Recovery After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Insights From Sustaining Quality of Life of the Aged: Heart Transplant or Mechanical Support.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingHigher caregiver burden did not predict worse patient recovery in the first year after LVAD implantation. Patients with more burdened caregivers had similar rates of rehospitalization and quality of life improvement as those with less burdened caregivers.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2023Family involvement and diabetes distress across dyads for adults with type 2 diabetes.Patient education and counselingHarmful family involvement, such as arguing about food or undermining self-care, is linked to higher diabetes distress for both the patient and the support person. This pattern holds regardless of whether they live together, suggesting support for the caregiver as well as the patient.
• PTOTRNOther2023Home Health Care Clinicians' Use of Judgment Language for Black and Hispanic Patients: Natural Language Processing Study.JMIR nursingHome health care notes about Black and Hispanic patients contained judgment words like 'claims' and 'insists' more often than notes about White patients. Visits were also shorter when notes contained judgment words. This suggests possible documentation bias, not proof of harm.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2023Men's health care: concept analysis.Investigacion y educacion en enfermeriaMen’s health care is shaped by masculinity, social networks, work, culture, and spirituality, not just biology. Hegemonic norms often deter help-seeking and promote self-medication. Clinicians should assess these barriers and strengths to improve engagement and adherence.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2023Perceptions of Australians with diabetes-related foot disease on requirements for effective secondary prevention.The Australian journal of rural healthPatients with diabetes-related foot disease found wearing prescribed offloading footwear difficult due to discomfort and poor education on its purpose. Many relied on family carers for daily foot checks because of vision or mobility limits, and reported a critical lack of psychological support after amputation.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2023Use of Home-Based Clinical Care and Long-Term Services and Supports Among Homebound Older Adults.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMost homebound older adults use long-term supports like assistive devices, but very few receive comprehensive care. Nearly half had minimal services despite being homebound. Clinical teams should screen for gaps in meals, transport, and paid help, not assume skilled home health covers all needs.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2023Symptom management in adult brain tumours: A literature review.Nursing openEvidence for nonpharmacological symptom management in adult brain tumours is largely borrowed from other cancers, with insufficient data for fatigue, sleep, and distress. Cognitive rehabilitation has some support. Routine assessment of these often-overlooked symptoms is recommended.
• PTRNPilot2023A feasibility study on home-based kyphosis-specific exercises on reducing thoracic hyperkyphosis in older adults.International journal of nursing sciencesA six-week nurse-led program combining weekly classes, daily home practice, video guidance, and a logbook was feasible, and 20 older adults had reduced kyphosis angles, better balance and gait. With no control group, the program components may not be the cause.
• PTOTRNCohort2023Accumulated incidence of falls in people hospitalised with cancer and related factors.Nursing openMost falls in hospitalised cancer patients happened at night, in the bathroom, or while walking, with the patient unaccompanied. Weakness or loss of balance caused nearly half. Age and psychotropic drugs were linked to injuries, but most falls caused no harm.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2023The relationship between experience of knee pain and physical activity participation: A scoping review of quantitative studies.International journal of nursing sciencesEvidence linking knee pain to physical activity is inconsistent. Pain may reduce moderate activity but not light activity. Psychological factors like catastrophizing and specific painful movements interfere with participation more than pain intensity alone.