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 4 OF 262 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRNSystematic Review2019A systematic mixed methods review: Recovering from a hip fracture in a health promoting perspective.Nursing openOlder adults recovering at home after hip fracture described recovery as a battle for independence. Support that strengthens their sense of control and motivation may matter more than exercise alone.
• PTOTRNCohort2019Incidence and risk of falls in patients treated for hematologic malignancies in the Intensive Hematology Unit.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemOnly 2 falls occurred among 101 adults hospitalized for blood cancers over 1.5 years, yet 29.7% were high fall risk at admission and 40.6% mid-stay. Dizziness at admission was the only assessed factor associated with falls.
• PTRNOther2019Gait speed associated factors in elderly subjects undergoing exams to obtain the driver's license.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemAmong elderly people taking driver fitness tests in Brazil, slower walking speed was associated with frailty, higher BMI, lower cognition, lower grip strength, older age, female sex, and not working. The study did not test driving safety.
• PTRNOther2019Postural instability and the condition of physical frailty in the elderly.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn 381 older outpatients, postural instability was linked with frailty and pre-frailty. Reduced walking speed, fatigue, low activity, and weight loss were each associated with postural instability.
• PTOther2019Incorporating intervention fidelity components into randomized controlled trials promoting exercise adherence in heart failure patients.Research in nursing & healthExercise coaching and group education for heart failure patients were delivered as intended, with high coach and session adherence. The paper describes trial monitoring, not whether the program improved exercise adherence.
• PTRNOther2019A mixed methods study of perceived barriers to physical activity, geriatric syndromes, and physical activity levels among older adults with peripheral artery disease and diabetes.Journal of vascular nursing : official publication of the Society for Peripheral Vascular NursingTen older adults with PAD and diabetes named lack of accessibility, lack of enjoyment, lack of motivation, and pain as barriers to exercise. They spent 66.9% of their time sedentary and 10.2% in moderate to vigorous activity.
• PTOTRNCohort2019Genotype, resilience and function and physical activity post hip fracture.International journal of orthopaedic and trauma nursingAt two months after hip fracture, resilience was associated with genetic variation and social activity, and with better function and more exercise. The study cannot show cause.
• PTOther2019Physical activity and postural balance in rural community dwelling older adults.Applied nursing research : ANRPhysical activity did not add to age, sex, or body mass index in relation to balance, despite some positive links. Rural older adults mostly did light activity, and only 18 met moderate-intensity guidelines.
• PTOTRNSurvey2019Impact of Diabetes on the Symptoms of Breast Cancer Survivors.Oncology nursing forumBreast cancer survivors who also had diabetes reported worse physical function, attention function, sleep disturbance and fatigue. Depression, anxiety, sexual function and peripheral neuropathy did not differ. This does not prove diabetes caused the symptoms.
• PTOTRNPilot2019Exploring the Adaptability of Tai Chi to Stroke Rehabilitation.Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation NursesCommunity stroke survivors in a 12-month adapted group program attended 72% of classes, had no intervention-related falls or adverse events, and reported better balance, flexibility, and confidence. The program included many components, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated.
• PTOTRNOther2019Analysis of two questionnaires on quality of life of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemA short COPD quality-of-life questionnaire (CAT) matched the longer SGRQ in hospitalized exacerbations and caught cough and sputum more clearly. It can be used for patient assessment, but it does not show better outcomes.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2019Effects of weight-lifting or resistance exercise on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A systematic review.International journal of nursing sciencesResistance exercise did not increase arm swelling in women with or at risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema. While some studies showed reduced volume, others found no difference. Exercise is safe to perform but should not replace standard lymphedema care.
• PTRNQualitative2019Struggling to be seen and understood as a person - Chronic back pain patients' experiences of encounters in health care: An interview study.Nursing openNine chronic back pain patients described struggling to be seen and understood. They felt disbelieved, shuttled between providers, and obliged to adapt to care routines. They wanted time, honest answers, and continuity.
• PTOTRNQualitative2019The meaning of dignity when the patients' bodies are falling apart.Nursing openAdvanced cancer patients at end of life described uncontrollable bodily changes as threatening dignity and identity. They linked movement, grooming, rituals, and meaningful activities to feeling alive and preserving dignity.
• PTOTRNQualitative2019Wishes and needs of older persons who have experienced a fall: A qualitative study.Nursing openOlder people after a fall wanted to keep doing meaningful activities, stay independent, and have social contact. They valued Falls Clinic and physiotherapist contact, while some men denied needing help.
• PTOTSurvey2020Health-care use and information needs of children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy: A cross-sectional survey among 465 Dutch patients.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityFamilies of 465 children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy reported ongoing health-care use and information needs, even after discharge. Physical therapists were the most contacted professionals, and 84 had received contradictory information.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2020Childhood Trauma Predicts Cancer Treatment-Related Pain in Breast Cancer Survivors.Cancer nursingWomen who experienced childhood trauma without confiding in others reported significantly higher pain severity and interference 12 months after breast cancer surgery. However, trauma history did not predict neuropathic symptom severity once other factors were included.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2019Morning Fatigue Severity Profiles in Oncology Outpatients Receiving Chemotherapy.Cancer nursingHalf of chemotherapy outpatients had severe morning fatigue. Those in the worst group were younger, had higher BMI and more comorbidities, and reported worse anxiety, sleep, and attention. Assess fatigue separately from evening symptoms to catch this high-risk group.
• PTOTRNRCT2019Characterizing patient-clinician chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy assessment and management communication approaches.Patient education and counselingClinicians discussed and documented chemotherapy-induced neuropathy in less than half of visits. When they did, they rarely asked about motor symptoms or pain severity, often using vague questions instead of specific descriptors for numbness or tingling.
• PTOTRNCase-Control2020Falls in hospital: a case-control study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesHospital patients with poor or very poor balance were far more likely to fall. Older age, male sex and sedating or mental-health drugs were also linked. Check balance and review these drugs early.
• PTOTRNNarrative Review2019Review of Treatment for Central Spinal Neuropathic Pain and Its Effect on Quality of Life: Implications for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesTreating central spinal neuropathic pain often reduces pain but fails to improve quality of life. Across 21 studies, only six improved both. Clinicians should target symptom clusters like fatigue and mood, not just pain intensity, to help patients feel better.
• PTQualitative2019To initiate the conversation - Public health nurses' experiences of working with obesity in persons with mobility disability.Journal of advanced nursingPublic health nurses hesitated to start obesity conversations with patients with mobility disability because they feared offending them. They said prior trust, related medical problems, time, and physiotherapist or dietician support made it easier.
• PTRCT2020Vicarious Experience to Affect Physical Activity in Women: A Randomized Control Trial.Western journal of nursing researchThe peer-model workplace program did not improve women's confidence for physical activity, motivation, or comparison thinking more than the control program over 12 weeks. Confidence fell in both groups, and some comparison motives rose without a clear group difference.
• PTOTRNQualitative2020Trapped in my lungs and fighting a losing battle. A phenomenological study of patients living with chronic obstructive and pulmonary disease.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesNine people with COPD described breathlessness as the centre of daily life. They monitored oxygen levels, avoided triggers, and cut back showering, outings and exercise. Staying active felt necessary but like fighting a losing battle.
• PTOTRNOther2020Impact of Function Focused Care and Physical Activity on Falls in Assisted Living Residents.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresModerate physical activity was associated with a slightly lower risk of falling in assisted living residents. Exposure to function focused care was not significantly associated with falls. Neither activity nor the care approach increased fall risk, challenging the belief that movement causes falls.
• PTOTSLPRNPilot2019Feasibility and Acceptability of a Self-Report Activity Diary in Families of Children With and Without Special Needs.Comprehensive child and adolescent nursingParents and older children with special needs successfully completed activity diaries, but found the format burdensome and unacceptable. Two-thirds of parents suggested changes, such as adding categories for grooming or switching to an online format.
• PTCase-Control2019Lap Time Variability From a 400-m Walk Is Associated With Future Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults later diagnosed with MCI or Alzheimer's disease had a 0.059 m/sec per year greater rise in 400-meter walk lap time variability before symptoms than matched controls. The best cut-off had 75% sensitivity and 52% specificity.
• PTQualitative2020Healthcare staff's views on the patients' prerequisites to be co-creator in preventing healthcare-associated infections.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesStaff rarely saw patients as partners in preventing hospital infections. They described one-way information, sometimes scaring patients to mobilise, and said patients often waited for staff to act. Shared planning was not routine.
• PTRNRCT2020The influence of the HEART Camp intervention on physical function, health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety and fatigue in patients with heart failure.European journal of cardiovascular nursingHeart failure patients given coaching, weekly meetings, goal setting, log review, relapse management, facility access, staff, diaries and heart-rate monitors walked farther and had less depression and fatigue than those given access, staff, diaries and monitors; quality of life did not differ.
• PTRNOther2019The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Among People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Throughout the Life Span.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingWomen living with HIV who reported any vigorous activity achieved a higher share of expected six-minute walk distance; men did not show this association.
• PTOTRNCohort2019Heart Rate Variability and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Non-Hispanic Black Versus Non-Hispanic White Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingNon-Hispanic Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes had lower heart rate variability and fitness than White peers, linked to poorer glucose control. Female adolescents also showed lower values. These markers suggest higher cardiovascular risk in these groups.
• PTOTOther2019Use of the School Setting During the Summer Holidays: Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Food and Fun Clubs in Wales.The Journal of school healthChildren at summer holiday clubs in schools were more active and ate healthier food than at home. Over half of parents reported food lasted longer and they skipped fewer meals. The school setting and trusted staff helped families engage.
• PTOTRNCohort2019The association of patient-reported improvement and rehabilitation characteristics with mortality.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults who reported their function got worse during rehabilitation had significantly higher odds of dying within a year compared to those who improved. This risk persisted even after accounting for age, sex, and health conditions, suggesting patient-reported outcomes can help identify high-risk patients.
• PTOTCohort2019Oral Health, Disability and Physical Function: Results From Studies of Older People in the United Kingdom and United States of America.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn older adults, tooth loss, dry mouth, poor self-rated oral health, and several oral problems were associated with mobility limitations, self-care and household task problems, and slow gait or weak grip.
• PTRNCohort2019The Clinical Potential of Frailty Indicators on Identifying Recurrent Fallers in the Community: The Mr. Os and Ms. OS Cohort Study in Hong Kong.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationFall history was the strongest predictor of recurrent falls in older adults. Frailty indicators did not beat it; they added little, mainly in women with a prior fall.
• PTSurvey2019Home-Based Gait Speed Assessment: Normative Data and Racial/Ethnic Correlates Among Older Adults.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults walking at normal pace at home had lower gait speed with age, female sex, African-American or Hispanic status, and more health problems; slow speed predicted four-year death, so use group-specific norms rather than one universal cutoff.
• PTOTQualitative2020Strategies older adults use in their work to get back to normal following hospitalization.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults recovering from hospitalization described 'pushing themselves' through exercise and resuming daily tasks to regain function. They relied heavily on family encouragement and provider feedback to set safe limits, while pain and lack of energy stopped progress.
• PTRCT2020Examining Potential Psychosocial Mediators in a Physical Activity Intervention for Older Adults.Western journal of nursing researchPhysical activity gains were not shown to be explained by readiness, self-assessment, or goal attainment, although interpersonal strategies raised these ratings in older adults.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2020Meta-analysis and GRADE profiles of exercise interventions for falls prevention in long-term care facilities.Journal of advanced nursingExercise did not significantly reduce falls overall, but balance-focused and longer-than-six-month programs showed promise. Frail residents faced an increased fall risk from exercise. Technical devices showed moderate-confidence benefits, while tai chi reduced fear of falling without reducing actual falls.
• PTOTRNOther2020Gender Differences in Function, Physical Activity, Falls, Medication Use, and Life Satisfaction Among Residents in Assisted Living Settings.Research in gerontological nursingIn assisted living residents, women reported higher satisfaction with activities and received more medications than men. Function, physical activity, falls, and other satisfaction scores did not differ by gender.
• PTRCT2020Efficacy of Osteoporosis Prevention Smartphone App.Nursing researchA tailored osteoporosis prevention app did not improve bone density or bone microarchitecture more than standard education or a wait list in women aged 40 to 60. All groups still lost some bone but less than typical for their age.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2020Promoting Behavioral Change in Mobile Health Interventions for Older Adults: A Scoping Review.Research in gerontological nursingMobile health interventions for adults 60 and older generally increased physical activity, medication adherence, and disease self-management. Feedback, monitoring, and goal-setting were the most common techniques used to drive these changes.
• PTOTRNQualitative2019Caring for a stroke patient: The burden and experiences of primary caregivers in Uganda - A qualitative study.Nursing openUgandan stroke caregivers described sudden duties, financial strain and exhaustion. Recovery brought relief; death brought grief. They valued listening and support from staff and family, but lacked supplies, rehabilitation and follow-up.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2019Frailty syndrome and cognitive impairment in older adults: systematic review of the literature.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemThe pooled results were mixed. Frail older adults were 1.24 times more likely to have cognitive decline in one analysis, but another analysis did not show a significant association.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2020How much do hospitalized adults move? A systematic review and meta-analysis.Applied nursing research : ANRHospitalized adults spent 87 to 100 percent of a 24-hour period lying or sitting. Medical inpatients had an average standing or walking time of 70 minutes, but studies varied widely.
• PTOTRNPilot2019Family-Centered Care During Constraint-Induced Therapy After Chronic Stroke: A Feasibility Study.Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation NursesA carepartner program given with constraint-induced therapy after stroke was feasible: all seven survivors completed 10 sessions, with no adverse events. Descriptive caregiver and survivor gains occurred, but the small single-group study cannot separate the program from therapy.
• PTOTRNSurvey2020Outcome Priorities for Older Persons With Sarcopenia.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults with sarcopenia valued mobility most (30%), then household tasks (22%), falls (18%), fatigue (17%), and quality of life (14%). Ask which outcomes matter before setting goals.
• PTOTCohort2020The Longitudinal Associations of Handgrip Strength and Cognitive Function in Aging Americans.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationEvery 5-kilogram higher handgrip was linked with being less likely to have future cognitive impairment, and any cognitive impairment was linked with a 1.09-kilogram lower handgrip. This is an association, not proof grip strength causes cognitive decline.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2020Prevalence of Hospital-Associated Disability in Older Adults: A Meta-analysis.Journal of the American Medical Directors Association30% of older adults lose independence in daily activities such as bathing, dressing, toilet use or eating after acute hospitalization. Check ADL status on admission and discharge, because loss is associated with nursing home placement and death.
• PTRNCohort2020Weakness May Have a Causal Association With Early Mortality in Older Americans: A Matched Cohort Analysis.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults with low handgrip strength died more often than matched peers: 37.2% versus 27.4% compared with not-weak, and 37.0% versus 22.9% compared with strong. This does not prove weakness causes death.