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 17 OF 262 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPRNCohort2025Association Between Residents' Perceived Importance of Family Involvement in Overall Care Planning and Rehabilitative Therapy Administration in Nursing Homes.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationNursing home residents who rated family involvement as very important received more physical and occupational therapy minutes than those who did not. The difference was small, averaging 5 fewer minutes for those rating it somewhat important.
• PTCase Report2025A Novel Treatment for Combined Adhesive Capsulitis and Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis - Case Study: RELIEF® Treatment.Orthopedic nursingA woman with frozen shoulder and osteoarthritis reported pain relief and improved range of motion after ultrasound-guided hydrodissection using saline and amnion tissue under local anesthetic, after prior therapy and steroid injections did not help. This is a single case, not evidence the treatment works.
• PTOTCohort2025Short Physical Performance Battery or Chair Stand: Which Better Predicts Disability Among High-Functioning Older Adults?Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn older adults who were independent and walked faster than 0.8 m/s, a chair stand time of 11.5 seconds or more or a Short Physical Performance Battery score of 11 or lower flagged higher future daily-living disability risk than common cutoffs.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2025Comparing nurse-led and rheumatologist-led care for rheumatoid arthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PNurse-led care and rheumatologist-led care produced similar outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis patients. There was no difference in functional status, disease activity, or pain scores. Nurse-led care is a comparable option for managing stable patients, not a superior or inferior treatment.
• PTOTRNOther2025Factors Associated With Falls Among Residents Living in Long-Term Care Homes in Ontario.International journal of older people nursingOntario long-term care residents who wandered, had pain or delirium, recently deteriorated in ADLs or care needs, were incontinent, or took antidepressants, antipsychotics, antianxiety medicines, hypnotics or analgesics were more likely to have fallen in the previous 30 days.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2025Best Practice to Prevent Constipation in People Living With Dementia: A Scoping Review.International journal of older people nursingEvidence for preventing constipation in dementia is limited and low-quality. Seven studies showed mixed results: probiotics and hydration plans helped, but exercise and scheduled toileting alone did not. Most effective strategies were multicomponent, targeting diet and fluid.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2025Walk for Mental Well-Being as a Third Place: A Qualitative Study of the Bathurst Men's Walk and Talk.The Australian journal of rural healthRural men described a weekly walk as a place where status is left at the door. Rituals like free coffee and walking in pairs facilitated conversation, helping isolated men feel safe to share personal struggles without clinical pressure.
• PTRNCohort2025Total Distance Walked After Hip Surgery Identifies Older Patients With Sarcopenia.Nursing & health sciencesOlder hip fracture patients who walked shorter total distances on discharge day were more likely to have sarcopenia. Sex-specific distance cut-offs may help flag probable or confirmed sarcopenia during inpatient rehabilitation.
• PTMeta-Analysis2025Effects of Resistance Exercise in Older Adults With Sarcopenic Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.The journal of nursing research : JNRResistance exercise improved grip strength and reduced percentage body fat in older adults with sarcopenic obesity, but did not improve gait speed or body mass index. The grip strength result may be overstated.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2025Effectiveness of digital healthcare in managing menstrual symptoms: a systematic review.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)All eight trials found digital tools like apps and web programs reduced menstrual symptoms. However, half had moderate risk of bias and blinding was rarely possible, so the results rely on self-reported improvements rather than objective measures.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2025The Effect of a Health-Promoting Program on Quality of Life of Thai Homebound Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyHomebound older adults whose family caregivers completed a 12-week empowerment program reported significantly better quality of life than those receiving usual care. The caregivers learned practical skills like fall prevention and hygiene, directly improving the patients' physical, psychological, and social well-being.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2025Social determination in the health of children born preterm: a scoping review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemPreterm infants' development and health service use were reported to track home context: caregiver education, housing, support, breastfeeding, maternal stress, alcohol, and language. No studies measured environment or food access.
• PTRNSystematic Review2025Effect of telemedicine on the quality of life of people with heart disease: a systematic review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemRemote self-management care did not clearly improve quality of life across 44 heart-disease trials. 20 studies showed gains, 19 showed improvement without a clear advantage, and 5 showed none. No study found worse quality of life.
• PTRNSurvey2025Exercise Barriers Among Females With Type 2 Diabetes: Exploring Age-Related Differences.The science of diabetes self-management and careYounger Australian women with type 2 diabetes most often said time stopped them exercising; older women more often said social support and not knowing how to start. Many lacked confidence and practical knowledge about safe exercise.
• PTOTRNRCT2025Patients' Perception of a Brief Web- and Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Pain Following Discharge After Total Joint Arthroplasty: Qualitative Description.JMIR nursingPatients recovering from joint replacement found a brief, self-guided mindfulness app helpful for managing pain at home. They liked the short sessions and phone access, but struggled to focus when pain was severe or if they doubted mindfulness would work.
• PTOTRNOther2025Symptoms of long COVID in children and adolescents: a scoping review.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PChildren and adolescents with long COVID commonly reported fatigue, headache, cough, sleep and mood problems, and poor concentration. Younger children had more cough and nasal symptoms; adolescents had more emotional, cognitive and pain symptoms.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2025Efficacy and safety of exercise rehabilitation in the vulnerable phase in patients with acute decompensated heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesExercise rehabilitation in the first three months after discharge for acute heart failure improves walking distance, physical performance, and quality of life. It reduces all-cause readmissions by six months. However, it does not significantly improve heart pumping function, reduce heart failure-specific readmissions, or lower mortality rates.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2025Quality of life experience in physically frail people on renal dialysis: A qualitative meta-synthesis on the difficulties and resources for better health care.International journal of nursing sciencesDialysis patients described frailty as limiting daily activity, increasing fall risk, and stripping work, family, and social roles. They also said teams underestimated falls, while family, peers, and exercise programs were reported as supports.
• PTSLPOther2025Cake, Checkups, and Captain Starlight: Evaluating the Cherbourg Third Birthday Party Health Initiative for Children in Rural Australia.The Australian journal of rural healthFamilies rated a rural birthday party health check positively. Children and caregivers enjoyed it, and staff said informal outdoor stations let them observe natural behaviours. This is an experience evaluation, not evidence that the party improved child health.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2025Transitional Care for Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis to the Home: A Scoping Review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemPeople with ALS going home need individualized transition plans: multidisciplinary care, discharge planning, telehealth, medication administration support, and caregiver training. This review mapped 7 studies, mostly expert opinion, so it shows what care looks like, not what works.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2025Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile for children aged less than 8 years cross-cultural adaptation.Revista brasileira de enfermagemThe Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile translated into Brazilian Portuguese is reliable for assessing quality of life in children under 8 with burn scars. It helps caregivers report itch, mobility, social interaction and emotional impacts after burns.
• PTOTQualitative2025Perceived barriers and facilitators to preventing hospital-acquired pressure injury in paediatrics: A qualitative analysis.Journal of advanced nursingStaff delivering paediatric pressure injury prevention said equipment shortages, poor handovers, and tick-box screens hindered care. They valued family knowledge, clinical judgement, and team communication, not just routine risk assessment.
• PTRNSurvey2025Psychological wellbeing among parents of a child living with a serious chronic illness: A cross-sectional survey study.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityAbout half of 106 parents of children with serious chronic illness reported low distress, but parents of children with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy reported higher distress and poorer coping than parents of children with cystic fibrosis. Many also reported unmet support needs.
• PTOTRNOther2026Multidimensional associations of physical performance, balance, wellness and daily activities with frailty in older adults with coexisting frailty and diabetes.Journal of clinical nursingIn older adults with diabetes and frailty, faster walking and sit-to-stand movement, better one-leg balance, more moderate-to-vigorous activity, less dependence, better nutrition and health perception were associated with being pre-frail rather than frail. Higher depression scores were associated with being frail.
• PTOTQualitative2025Entangled in complexity: An ethnographic study of organizational adaptability and safe care transitions for patients with complex care needs.Journal of advanced nursingRushed or imprecise hospital discharge left patients with complex needs at home without records, plans, equipment, or family information. Readmission, unsafe carrying, and extra staff workload followed.
• PTQualitative2026Dementia-Friendly Hospital-The Perspective of Professional Dementia Experts.Journal of clinical nursingExperts described a dementia-friendly hospital as seeing the person with dementia, welcoming relatives, adapting routines and environment, and making care a whole-team task. These are views, not tested outcomes.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026Perceptions and Experiences of Animal-Assisted Interventions for People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.Journal of clinical nursingPeople with dementia often engage with animal-assisted interventions after initial hesitation, driven by prior positive experiences with animals. Success depends on flexible, individualized sessions and staff training to manage sensory overload, fall risks, and behavioral challenges in care homes.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2025Non-Pharmacological Sleep Interventions after Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.Journal of clinical nursingNon-drug sleep interventions after cardiac surgery improved patient-reported sleep quality, but sleep duration did not show a clear improvement. The evidence is low quality and very varied, so no single technique is proven best.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Practices for promoting a child's best interests in paediatric rehabilitation - Perspectives of professionals and parents.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityParents and rehabilitation professionals described promoting a child's best interests as jointly planning around the child's daily life, letting the child influence goals and activities, and avoiding separate, overlapping goals.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2025Palliative Home Care Based on Clinically Relevant Scientific Measures: A Cross-Sectional Study.The American journal of hospice & palliative carePatients with heart failure and dementia and their caregivers rated symptoms similarly, but caregivers reported more concern about pain and information needs. Higher patient symptom scores predicted worse heart health and greater caregiver burden. The practical problems item did not agree between pairs.
• PTOTRNOther2026Gender Differences in Disease Burden, Symptom Burden, and Quality of Life Among People Living With Heart Failure and Multimorbidity: Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of advanced nursingOlder women with heart failure and multimorbidity reported higher disease burden, more pain, tiredness, nausea and lack of appetite, and worse quality of life than men. The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot explain causes or show what treatment helps.
• PTOTRNCohort2025SANTANA Cohort: Study on Frailty in Institutionalised Older Adults and Its Relationship With Gordon's Functional Health Patterns.Journal of advanced nursingIn 1245 nursing home residents, frailty was present in 25% at baseline and 51.7% after 5 years. Nurses' activity-exercise and social-relationship assessments tracked frailty, but the study did not test whether this changes patient care.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2026Perspectives and Requirements of Patients with Prostate Cancer on Mobile Health Interventions During Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.Journal of clinical nursingMost prostate cancer patients on hormone therapy use smartphones daily, but only half want mHealth for their care. They need simple, passive monitoring and trusted medical advice, while rejecting mindfulness and peer groups due to stigma and independence.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Carer Involvement in Rehabilitation for People Living With Dementia: A Systematic Review.Journal of advanced nursingAcross 12 main trials, involving carers more was not linked to better outcomes for people with dementia or their carers. Involvement roles varied widely, and the evidence was too mixed to guide practice.
• PTRNRCT2025Digital Health Technologies to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity and Reduce Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults: A Pilot Study.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingOlder adults at cardiovascular risk reduced calorie intake and increased activity over 12 weeks with counseling, a handbook, a scale, a blood pressure monitor, a transmitter, a Fitbit, and MyFitnessPal. The group receiving texts showed more activity and greater weight loss.
• PTRNQualitative2025Reasons for (Not) Seeking Care for Fatigue and Care Needs Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Qualitative Interview Study.Journal of advanced nursingSome fatigued IBD patients did not seek fatigue care because they saw it as inevitable, distrusted available help, or felt healthcare professionals dismissed it. They wanted proactive, person-centred conversations and tailored support.
• PTRNOther2026Associations Between Frailty, Family Functioning, and Quality of Life in Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of advanced nursingAdolescents with congenital heart disease who were frail or had moderate or severe family dysfunction reported lower quality of life. Frailty was especially linked to exhaustion and reduced activity in those with worse heart function.
• PTRCT2025Peer-Mentor Support for Older, Vulnerable Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease: A Mixed Methods Process-Outcome Evaluation.Journal of advanced nursingPeer mentors helped older, vulnerable IHD patients attend cardiac rehab, but the main trial showed no significant gains in anxiety, depression, quality of life, diet, self-efficacy, or activity. Interviews suggest mentors worked through encouragement and convenience.
• PTOTQualitative2026Continuity and Coordination of Care During Hospital-To-Home Transitions: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives.Journal of clinical nursingProfessionals said hospital-to-home handovers relied on one-way letters and patients, often leaving primary care with incomplete information. They wanted clear roles, a coordinator, and less overwhelming discharge paperwork for patients.
• PTOTRNQualitative2025Experiences of Sexual Health and Intimate Relationships in Women With Lipedema: A Qualitative Study.Journal of advanced nursingWomen with lipedema described avoiding intimacy because of body shame, pain, heavy limbs, and compression garments, yet longing for closeness; partner criticism worsened this, while responsive touch helped. Healthcare professionals did not address sexual health.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2026Clinical Implications for Management of Falls in Hospital Patients with Communication Disability After Stroke: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.Journal of advanced nursingHospital falls after stroke often go unexplained when severe aphasia prevents patients describing what happened. Staff documented communication problems as cognition, used equipment, and missed adapted education. Multidisciplinary plans, family support and speech-language input suggest safer falls prevention.
• PTQualitative2026Implementing health promotion interventions in a pediatric oncology setting: A qualitative study among families impacted by cancer and healthcare professionals.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityFamilies and oncology staff said a health promotion program was easier to join when flexible, tailored, remote when needed and fitted around treatment. Time, unclear roles, staff burden, overlap and early treatment stress made it hard.
• PTOTSLPPilot2026The Use of Biased Language in the Care of Seriously Ill Children: A Pilot Study.The American journal of hospice & palliative careIn 63 charts of seriously ill children, no demographic link was found to biased language. However, stigmatizing words appeared in 46% of records, often copied forward. Clinicians should replace subjective labels with objective descriptions of behavior or barriers.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026A Scoping Review of the Lived Experiences of Individuals With Huntington's Disease, Their Informal Caregivers and Offspring.Journal of advanced nursingFamilies affected by Huntington's disease describe unpredictable behaviour, secrecy about risk, and health services that miss their needs. Clinicians should ask about communication, mobility, swallowing, work, school, and support for caregivers and offspring.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2026Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Informal Caregivers of People Living With Stroke: A Scoping Review of Recent Literature.Journal of advanced nursingInformal caregivers of people with stroke often lacked stroke and care knowledge, felt unprepared, yet were willing to manage mobility, medications, swallowing-related meals, appointments and emotional support. Clinicians should teach and check understanding, especially before discharge.
• PTSurvey2025Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Symptom Experience Index in Bengali.Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing SocietyBengali-speaking breast cancer survivors could use a translated questionnaire to report arm symptoms, distress, and limited movement. Most found it relevant and understandable, but repeat scores were unreliable and lymphedema detection was only fair.
• PTOTRNCohort2025Adding Functional Ability Measures to a Mortality Algorithm to Support Palliative Care Eligibility Decisions.Research in gerontological nursingIn older adults, receiving physical or occupational therapy was linked to lower odds of death, while needing help with daily activities or skilled nursing was linked to higher odds. These functional markers could help identify patients who need palliative care sooner.
• PTSystematic Review2026Weight Bias Interventions for Healthcare Professionals: An Integrative Review.Journal of advanced nursingActive, repeated, multi-component training reduced clinicians' weight bias attitudes more than passive videos or written modules. Implicit bias was harder to change, and one large physiotherapy seminar worsened negative attitudes.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2026Effects of Psychosocial Interventions on Loneliness Amongst Long-Term Care Residents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of advanced nursingFace-to-face group activities lasting under eight weeks cut loneliness in long-term care residents. Lifestyle activities like laughter, gardening and exercise worked better than psychological therapies. Virtual visits with family showed no benefit.
• PTRNCohort2025Predicting Post-ICU Functional Impairment During Early ICU Admission Using Real-world Electronic Health Record Data.Clinical nursing researchLower AMPAC, older age, reduced nurse-documented mobility, lower Braden, and prior walking device in the first 24 hours predicted functional impairment at discharge in adults with ICU sepsis.