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 19 OF 262 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSystematic Review2025Adaptation strategies for nurses with musculoskeletal pain in hospital work: a systematic review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn nurses with work-related musculoskeletal pain, exercise, stretching, mindfulness, auriculotherapy and workplace ergonomic programs reduced pain and supported work functioning.
• PTRNOther2025Promoting the Physical Activity of Older Adults in Institutional Long-Term Care: A Mixed-Method Case Study.International journal of older people nursingIn one long-term care unit, residents averaged 1.27 hours of light activity daily. Organised physical activity accounted for 7 minutes, about 7% of total. Nurses promoted activity mainly during daily care.
• PTOTRNOther2025Examining Handgrip Strength in Persons Living With HIV in United States, Thailand, and South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACPeople living with HIV had lower handgrip strength than age and gender reference norms at every age group. In women, strength decreased with age; low grip was not linked to medication adherence or physical, social, or pain scores.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2025Care strategies for children with tracheostomy at school: a scoping review.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PChildren with tracheostomies can attend mainstream schools if the setting provides trained staff, emergency plans, and adapted logistics. Three care models rely on close coordination between families, schools, and healthcare services to ensure safety.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2025Evidence-Based Pathways to Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Lifestyle Interventions for Longevity and Well-Being.Investigacion y educacion en enfermeriaOlder adults who followed Mediterranean diet, exercised, slept well, and stayed socially active showed better cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance, mood, and cognition. These are broad lifestyle effects, not a single proven treatment.
• PTOTRNOther2025Functionality and cognition of older adults hospitalized in a university hospital.Revista brasileira de enfermagemHospitalized older adults commonly had probable cognitive deficit and partial dependence in instrumental activities. Those aged 80 or older had more basic-activity dependence and probable cognitive deficit; age group did not show an association with instrumental activity dependence.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Healing at Home: Receipt of Home Health Care and Patient-Centered Outcomes Among Older Adults After Acute Myocardial Infarction.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHome health care after AMI made no significant difference to days not at home in older adults. It was linked to a lower chance of a 5-point or greater physical health status decline.
• PTOTSLPRNSurvey2025Primary healthcare professionals' knowledge and self-efficacy on palliative care.Revista brasileira de enfermagemMost primary care professionals in São Paulo had contact with palliative care patients but lacked specific training. Nurses reported higher confidence in patient communication and daily care tasks, while physicians scored higher on medication knowledge. All groups showed gaps in recognizing their own and others' roles in the multidisciplinary team.
• PTRNQualitative2026A Sisterhood of Women: The Process of Co-Creating Recommendations for Improved Pessary Self-Management Support.Journal of advanced nursingEight women who already self-manage pessaries described barriers including painful insertion, limited pessary choice, conflicting information, stigma, and worry about losing clinic support. They asked for practical written guidance, accessible follow-up, peer support, and care that acknowledges emotional impact.
• PTOTRNCohort2025Community Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Outcomes.Worldviews on evidence-based nursingSix months after cardiac rehabilitation, patients continued to improve walking distance and kept waist size down, but blood pressure, weight, BMI, depression, physical activity and medication adherence worsened. Diet and smoking gains held.
• PTRNSystematic Review2025Parent-Infant Attachment and Gross Motor Development During the First 2 Years of Life: A Systematic Review.Nursing & health sciencesSecure parent-infant attachment and positive interaction were linked to better gross motor development in seven of 10 included studies during infants' first 2 years. The evidence is observational and does not prove cause.
• PTRNQualitative2026Perspectives and Beliefs Surrounding Postpartum Care and Physical Activity of South Asian Immigrant Women in Canada.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresSouth Asian immigrant mothers in Canada often count housework and childcare as their physical activity, while viewing leisure exercise as optional or guilt-inducing. They relied on online sources for postpartum exercise advice and found outdoor walking limited by cold weather.
• PTRNCohort2025Cognitive and physical functions among Chinese community-dwelling older adults with motoric cognitive risk syndrome: A prospective cohort study.International journal of nursing sciencesIn 4,217 Chinese older adults, those with motoric cognitive risk syndrome had lower cognition and physical function, and both groups declined over follow-up. Adults without it showed better global cognition and repeated chair stand performance, but worse visuospatial ability.
• PTOTRNQualitative2025A Phenomenological Study of Older Individuals' Experiences of Safety at Home.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesOlder people receiving homecare described safety as staying in their own home, having nature, neighbours, and reliable help. They also reported falls, anxiety, loneliness, and practical barriers such as high bathroom thresholds.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2025Care for patients with hematologic neoplasms: contextual analysis resulting from a scoping review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemCare for blood cancer patients is shaped by gaps in training, communication, and access. Advance care planning and symptom self-management are underused due to lack of formal education and infrastructure, while technologies like mobile apps help monitor symptoms and reduce hospital stays.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2025Pain in Long COVID: A scoping review of clinical characteristics and patterns of manifestation.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemLong COVID pain appears across ages, most often in head, chest, neck, shoulder, lower back and hip. It can be mild to severe, daily or intermittent, lasting months to years. Women and people with prior pain often report more pain or worsening.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2025Effects of Sling Exercise Training on Walking Ability and Balance Function in Patients With Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nursing & health sciencesDaily-living scores and walking endurance were not shown to improve, but suspension-based stroke training (sling exercise, body-weight-supported treadmill and robotic-assisted locomotor training) improved balance and walking.
• PTRNRCT2025The Effects of a Technology-Assisted Hybrid Cardiac Rehabilitation (TecHCR) Program for Adults With Coronary Heart Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Worldviews on evidence-based nursingA nurse-led hybrid cardiac rehab program improved exercise self-efficacy more than center-based rehab at 12 and 24 weeks. It also improved health-promoting behaviors and anxiety, but not exercise capacity, depression, or cardiovascular risk factors.
• PTSLPRNCohort2025Maternal Racial Differences and Socioeconomic Status in Preterm Infant Neurodevelopment, Feeding, and Growth.Nursing researchPreterm infants born to Black mothers had lower birth weight, younger gestational age, and higher neonatal risk scores; ZIP-code poverty, family size, and income were also linked with neurodevelopment, feeding, and growth outcomes.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Lagged effects of risk factors on the disability of older adults: A distributed lag non-linear model approach.International journal of nursing sciencesRisk factors for disability in older adults follow three distinct timelines. Functional limitations like walking difficulty cause immediate harm within one year, while conditions like depression and hospitalization exert a cumulative burden over three to four years.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026Identifying Candidate Predictors of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries among Adult, Medical-Surgical Patients Using Clinical Expert Knowledge: A Delphi Study.Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses SocietyA panel of 16 clinicians agreed that 132 of 205 concepts are important for assessing pressure injury risk. Activity, age, mobility, moisture, skin condition, friction and shear, and repositioning reached 100% agreement. These are expert opinions on what to look for, not tested predictors.
• PTQualitative2026Clinicians' perspectives of pain in older adults with heart failure.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Heart failure clinicians often used a 1-10 pain scale, while some focused on chest discomfort and said older adults under-report pain or blame arthritis. They rarely mentioned physical therapy and wanted heart failure-specific tools, resources, and user-friendly apps.
• PTRNQualitative2026Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Participation Among Rural Residents With Cardiovascular Disease in Brazil.Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)Rural patients with heart disease or risk factors lacked knowledge about cardiac rehabilitation; 15 named it as a barrier, 20 reported no referral, and 16 struggled with phones or apps. They also feared exercising alone.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Healthcare Professionals' Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare-A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.Journal of advanced nursingClinicians view AI as a tool for efficiency and safety, not a replacement for human judgment. They fear deskilling and job loss but accept AI if it frees time for patient care. Trust depends on transparency and nurses having a voice in design.
• PTSurvey2026Differences in chronic musculoskeletal pain among male and female Brazilian university professors.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PWomen Brazilian university professors reported more widespread and intense chronic musculoskeletal pain than men, used more medication and rehabilitation, had lower self-efficacy, and lost more productivity. The study did not show what caused these differences.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026Lived Experience of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survivors: A Phenomenological Study.Nursing in critical careSome ECMO survivors described lasting weakness, trouble walking, emotional distress and financial burden. Participants wanted clearer rehabilitation advice, and some wanted simpler follow-up and regular contact.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026Geriatric Models of Surgical Care: A Scoping Review.Journal of advanced nursingMost models shortened hospital stays, but mortality results were inconsistent. Nurse practitioners performed comprehensive geriatric assessments and coordinated care in 38% of studies. Allied health input appeared in 58% of models, yet functional outcomes and quality of life were rarely measured.
• PTRNOther2026Is a Hybrid Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme Feasible and Effective in Individuals With COPD After an Exacerbation-Related Hospitalisation: A Mixed Methods Study.Journal of clinical nursing21 patients who completed a hybrid home pulmonary rehabilitation programme rated it 95/100 and reported improvements in exercise, symptoms, anxiety and depression. These are before-and-after feasibility findings, not proof it works.
• PTRNQualitative2026Surviving a Critical Care Admission for COVID-19: A Qualitative Study of Experiences and Unmet Needs During the Recovery Period.Nursing in critical careFifteen COVID-19 ICU survivors said they often did not feel as unwell as they were, then found recovery confusing and support too late. They wanted clear explanations, early practical help, and consistent follow-up.
• PTRNRCT2026Effectiveness of a digital technology-assisted personalized exercise prescription in the telerehabilitation of postoperative coronary heart disease patients: A randomized controlled trial.International journal of nursing sciencesPeak oxygen uptake did not improve more with the digital personalized home rehabilitation program than usual care in low-risk patients after coronary intervention. Submaximal endurance, exercise duration, and some quality-of-life scores showed secondary benefits.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Impact of Lymphedema on Women's Lives After Gynaecological Cancer: An Integrative Review.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesWomen after gynaecological cancer described lower-limb lymphedema as swelling, heaviness, pain and body-image distress that limited walking, work, clothing and sex. Clinicians often missed or delayed diagnosis. Women often had to self-manage.
• PTRNCohort2026Unique contributions of heart failure and chronic pain on physical function and quality of life in older adults.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)After accounting for age, sex, race, comorbidities, depression and fatigue, heart failure alone was not associated with higher chronic pain prevalence. Older adults with both heart failure and chronic pain had worse quality of life and physical function than those with either or neither.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026The use of virtual reality in cancer patient health education: A scoping review.International journal of nursing sciencesCancer VR education tools include videos, immersive environments, radiotherapy simulations, 3D models, games and virtual characters. Small studies report better knowledge, less anxiety and some behavior change, but long-term effects and privacy are unclear.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026How Do Older People Experience Hospital to Home Discharge? An Overview of Qualitative Reviews.International journal of older people nursingOlder people wanted to go home but often felt uninvolved, rushed and poorly prepared. They reported jargon, not being listened to, unclear responsibility and poor recall, so discharge talks need time, plain language and clarity about who is responsible.
• PTQualitative2026ICU Nurses' Perceptions of Family-Inclusive Outdoor Excursions: Enhancing Family Engagement and Humanisation in Intensive Care.Nursing in critical careSeven ICU nurses perceived family-inclusive outdoor excursions as helping patients recover, calming families and seeing patients as people, but these were their perceptions, not measured outcomes.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Experiences of Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Their Caregivers During the Pandemic: A Systematic Review.Nursing openCOPD patients and caregivers described pandemic fear, anxiety and loneliness, plus reduced activity. Some managed exacerbations at home. Telemedicine helped some, but others wanted face-to-face care.
• PTQualitative2026Decisions to Access Health Care: Voices From Rural Residents in Southeast Australia.The Australian journal of rural healthRural residents described three ways of deciding to use health care: regular users trusted a GP or navigator, sometimes users weighed cost, travel and past poor care, and avoiders did not believe care would help and found services overwhelming. People moved between them.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Re-Engaging in Activities of Daily Living After Critical Illness: A Qualitative Review.Journal of clinical nursingCritical illness survivors described daily activity recovery as dominated by persistent weakness, fatigue, and memory problems, forcing home adaptations and family help that often felt burdensome. These barriers can persist for months or years.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Weekly Walking Attenuates the Association Between Frailty and Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.Research in nursing & healthIn adults with rheumatoid arthritis, frailty was linked to more depressive symptoms. Walking at least 3.5 days per week appeared to break this link. The association between frailty and depression was no longer significant in those who walked more frequently.
• PTOTRCT2026Functional Activities to Optimize Patient Outcomes in Home Health: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAdding HARP to usual home health therapy showed no significant difference in daily task performance compared with usual therapy alone. The trend favored usual care.
• PTOTOther2026Exploring an Allied Health Student Placement Model in Rural Aged-Care Settings: A UDRH Collaborative Evaluation Using RE-AIM.The Australian journal of rural healthAllied health students in rural aged care delivered 71 weeks of services, improving resident access and reducing staff workload. Students reported positive shifts in attitudes toward aged care, though significant financial barriers and supervision constraints threatened sustainability.
• PTRNQualitative2026Exploring Patient Experiences of Symptom Support From Healthcare Professionals in Acute and Chronic Illness: A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesPatients with serious illness described symptom support as fragmented after acute treatment, with too little continuity and time. They wanted a consistent professional who knew their journey, listened, and gave face-to-face guidance.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026Resident and Family Carer Perspectives on the Impact of Allied Health Student Placements on Service Delivery to Residents in Northern NSW Aged Care Homes: A Qualitative Study.The Australian journal of rural healthResidents and family carers described placements by physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition and dietetics and social work students as adding care time and perceived gains in mobility, communication and mood. They said short placements disrupted continuity.
• PTOTQualitative2026Health and Social Care Professionals' Perspectives of the Desired Interprofessional Collaboration in Frequent Attenders' Person-Centred Care: A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesProfessionals caring for people who use services often wanted collaboration to make patients and families equal team members, with low-hierarchy partnership, shared home assessments and seamless information flow.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2026Adapting to a Shrunken World: A Grounded Theory of Resident Adaptation to Life in Residential Aged Care.Journal of advanced nursingResidents who accepted their need for care viewed the move as a trade-off for safety, allowing them to focus on remaining abilities. Those who resisted saw every assistance as a loss of self, leading to resentment and withdrawal.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2026Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Cough in Patients With Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of clinical nursingNon-drug treatments were associated with lower cough severity in lung cancer patients, especially pulmonary rehabilitation, but the evidence was very low certainty and most trials were high risk of bias.
• PTPilot2026Classroom-Integrated Kettlebell Training: Effects on Motor Performance, Attention, and Health in Primary School Children.The Journal of school healthBrief daily kettlebell-based classroom training added to usual physical education was feasible and improved sprint performance in second-grade children. Strength, coordination, attention, body composition, and blood pressure showed no meaningful change.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Identifying Risk Factors for Fall-Related Injuries Among Inpatients at a Tertiary Hospital in China: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Nursing openAmong 145 inpatient falls, improper footwear had higher injury rates (68.10% vs 51.00%), and toileting caused 35.43% of falls. Patients with full mobility had the highest injury rate (66.10%).
• PTSurvey2026Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Obesity in Adolescents: Differences by School Grade.The Journal of school healthKorean adolescents meeting both physical activity and sedentary time guidelines had the lowest odds of obesity (OR 0.54). Sedentary time over 8 hours was associated with higher obesity odds (OR 1.69). Meeting only one guideline was weaker.
• PTOther2026The Effects of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Human Milk Composition: A Quasi-Experimental Pre-Post Design Study.Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant AssociationTherapeutic ultrasound to the lactating breast did not show a change in milk protein or lactose in this study. Milk fat rose by 1.36%, but milk removal alone can cause that, so do not credit ultrasound for it.