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 7 OF 262 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRNCohort2021Fragility hip fractures in the COVID-19 pandemic: A local experience in the United Kingdom.International journal of orthopaedic and trauma nursingIn 34 older hip fracture patients during UK lockdown, 48% were operated within 36 hours and 30-day mortality was 20%; timing was not significantly linked to stay or death.
• PTRNSystematic Review2021Sleep, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Interventions for Sleep Improvement: An Integrative Review.Western journal of nursing researchIn mild cognitive impairment, self-reported sleep problems are common, but objective sleep findings are inconsistent. Sleep interventions improved some subjective sleep, but objective sleep changes were inconsistent.
• PTOTRNCohort2021Mobility and Self-Care are Associated With Discharge to Community After Home Health for People With Dementia.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn home health, people with dementia had lower successful discharge to community: 71% versus 81% without dementia. Greater dependence in mobility or self-care was the strongest observed risk factor.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2021Effects of intradialytic resistance exercises on physical performance, nutrient intake and quality of life among haemodialysis people: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Nursing openDuring haemodialysis, supervised resistance exercise showed significant pooled physical performance effects, but protein intake, energy intake, and quality of life did not change significantly. It may be a low-cost addition to dialysis care.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2021Effects of high-intensity interval training in patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Nursing openSupervised high-intensity interval training after PCI did not change heart rate, LDL, or triglycerides, but it raised peak oxygen uptake and reduced late luminal loss in 6 small trials.
• PTNarrative Review2021The orthopaedic experience of COVID-19: A literature review.Journal of perioperative practiceEarly orthopaedic care during COVID-19 shifted toward urgent cases: elective surgery was cancelled, screening and PPE expanded, outpatient work moved online, and waiting times lengthened.
• PTRNQualitative2021"You have to fight to legitimize your existence all the time": The social context of depression in men with physical disabilities.Archives of psychiatric nursingMen with physical disabilities and depression described hiding depression to protect masculinity, resisting visible assistive devices, and feeling exhausted by stigma and financial insecurity. Clinicians should ask about these social pressures, not only symptoms.
• PTRNRCTSleep and Activity Patterns Are Altered During Early Critical Illness in Mechanically Ventilated Adults.Dimensions of critical care nursing : DCCNMechanically ventilated ICU adults spent 6.6 hours asleep at night, but daytime activity was only 66.5% of 24-hour activity and most hourly counts fell below resting thresholds. Nighttime movement and low daytime activity point to disrupted sleep-wake patterns.
• PTOTRNOther2021Daytime activity and sleep are associated with motor function in older intensive care unit survivors.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careOlder ICU survivors with less daytime activity had weaker grip and slower pegboard dexterity; more daytime sleep/rest was also linked to worse grip and dexterity. These are associations, not proof that changing activity or sleep improves function.
• PTRNQualitative2021Usability testing of tablet-based cognitive behavioral intervention application to improve a simple walking activity for older adults with arthritis fatigue.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults with arthritis fatigue found a tablet app easy to use and helpful for planning walking, but reported trouble holding it, operating video calls, and stiff wristbands. It shows usability issues, not that walking or fatigue improved.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2021Appropriateness of Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Transfer: A Multicenter Study of Medicare ACO Beneficiaries.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOnly 31.4% of LTACH transfers were clinically appropriate. Most inappropriate transfers involved wound care or IV infusions manageable in skilled nursing facilities. Current Medicare payment criteria poorly distinguish appropriate cases, though stricter ICU stay requirements improve identification.
• PTOTSystematic Review2021Self-management interventions in systemic sclerosis: A systematic review.Research in nursing & healthSelf-management programs for adults with systemic sclerosis varied widely. Effects on patients' confidence and overall health were inconsistent. Many studies were small and of poor quality, so no program can be recommended as proven.
• PTRNCase-Control2021Increase in Frailty in Nursing Home Survivors of Coronavirus Disease 2019: Comparison With Noninfected Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationNursing home residents who survived SARS-CoV-2 became more frail and slower than matched noninfected residents over follow-up. Their grip strength also fell more. Cognitive scores dropped in both groups, so infection did not distinguish them.
• PTOTRNSurvey2021Fear of Falling among Community-dwelling Sedentary and Active Older People.Investigacion y educacion en enfermeriaFear of falling did not differ between active and sedentary older adults. Sedentary participants had higher depression screening scores, but this survey cannot show that activity changed either outcome.
• PTRNQualitative2021The course of readmission in frail older cardiac patients.Journal of advanced nursingAcross five older cardiac patients readmitted after discharge support, visiting nurses and physical therapists had not seen the deterioration in three cases. Infrequent visits and incomplete records limited detection, and rehabilitation goals sometimes did not match patient expectations.
• PTOTRNOther2021Back pain and heart failure in community-dwelling older adults: Findings from the Health ABC study.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults with back pain reported more falls, worse function, depression and fatigue. Women with heart failure were more likely to report back pain; cognition did not differ.
• PTOTRNNarrative Review2021Early mobilization and physical exercise in patients with COVID-19: A narrative literature review.Complementary therapies in clinical practiceNo randomized trials of early mobilization or exercise in hospitalized COVID-19 patients were found. Published guidance recommends low-intensity activity for mild and stable cases, with stopping rules for oxygen saturation drop, fever, breathlessness, chest pain, or instability.
• PTRNCohort2021Investigating key predictors of persistent low back pain: A focus on psychological stress.Applied nursing research : ANRIn acute low back pain, higher stress, worse pain, and lower pressure thresholds were linked to less pain resolution. In the final model, household income greater than $60,000 per year was the strongest predictor.
• PTRNNarrative Review2021Perioperative management of elderly patients with osteoarthritis requiring total knee arthroplasty.Journal of perioperative practicePreoperative education, pain drugs, strength exercises, blood management and early mobilisation are discussed for older patients having total knee replacement. This is a narrative review, so these are reported recommendations, not tested outcomes.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2021Post-treatment head and neck cancer survivors' approaches to self-management: A qualitative study.European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing SocietyAfter treatment, head and neck cancer survivors managed symptoms in three fluid ways: building routines, accepting what could not be changed, or acting only when symptoms appeared. Their choice depended on the problem, certainty about cause, and daily burden.
• PTOTRNCohort2021The Adverse Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nursing Home Resident Well-Being.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationNursing home residents' depression, unplanned weight loss, cognitive scores and incontinence worsened during the pandemic. Pressure ulcers and activities of daily living scores did not change. Some worsening occurred even in residents who never tested positive.
• PTOTRNCohort2021Recovery from Coronavirus Disease 2019 among Older Adults in Post-Acute Skilled Nursing Facilities.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults recovering from COVID-19 in skilled nursing facilities generally regained function and returned home, with no significant difference in discharge rates compared to non-COVID patients. However, those with moderate-to-severe frailty started lower and ended with significantly less independence than non-frail peers.
• PTRNQualitativePain Quality Among Hospitalized Postcraniotomy Brain Tumor Patients.Clinical nurse specialist CNSHospitalized post-craniotomy patients described pain as pressure, soreness, stabbing, throbbing, jarring, or itching. Asking what the pain feels like may reveal bothersome qualities, such as itching, that intensity scores alone can miss.
• PTNarrative Review2021Traditional Chinese exercise potential role as prevention and adjuvant therapy in patients with COVID-19.Complementary therapies in clinical practiceThis review proposes traditional Chinese exercise as a possible prevention or adjuvant therapy for healthy people, mild or moderate cases, and convalescence. It admits there is less direct medical evidence for preventing or treating COVID-19.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2021Exploring a Nursing Home-Specific, Interdisciplinary, Function-Focused, Communicative Framework Based on Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.The journal of nursing research : JNRNursing home staff described SBAR communication as a way to share subtle functional changes, such as walking difficulties or eating problems. Nurses acted as the central hub, receiving most referrals to assess medical needs before directing care to therapists or support staff.
• PTRNSurvey2021Association of fear of falling with frailty in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study.Nursing & health sciencesAmong 158 independent Chinese older adults, 81% feared falling and 60.1% were frail. Fear of falling was linked to being 7.2 times more likely to be frail after adjustment.
• PTOTRNSurvey2021Health Promoting Behaviors, Health Needs and Associated Factors among Older Adults in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyJordanian older adults scored low on exercise and nutrition but high on self-actualization. Those with chronic diseases, lower income, or who were unmarried had poorer health behaviors. Married and higher-income participants engaged more in physical activity and healthy eating.
• PTRNQualitative2021The Experiences of Women who Live with Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Qualitative Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyWomen with pelvic floor disorders described accepting and tolerating symptoms by hiding them, reducing social and religious activities, managing painful sex, changing diet, timing diuretic pills, and seeking family support.
• PTRCT2021The effectiveness of social media and in-person interventions for low back pain conditions in nursing personnel (SMILE).Nursing openErgonomic and exercise education reduced pain and disability in nurses with work-related low back pain versus no education at 3 months. Social-media delivery gave greater 6-month pain and disability benefit than in-person sessions, but reminders and content were not separated.
• PTOTQualitative2021A qualitative investigation of activity measurement and change following a mind-body activity program for chronic pain.Complementary therapies in clinical practicePatients with chronic pain found the hip accelerometer mostly unobtrusive, but clothing, bathroom use, and forgetting could reduce wear. Some also changed activity when measured, so device weeks may not reflect usual habits.
• PTRNOther2021Household Physical Activity and Risk for Future Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Journal of gerontological nursingMore gardening or yardwork was associated with less risk for future falls in older adults. Heavy outdoor work and meal preparation were not. This is an association, not proof gardening prevents falls.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Patients' Adaptations After Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Qualitative Study.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesMany ARDS survivors used assistive devices, family help, and self-directed exercise, but most still had unresolved problems. Few sought more therapy after services ended, so ask what they are already trying.
• PTOTRNCohort2021Predicting Mortality Risk in Older Hospitalized Persons With COVID-19: A Comparison of the COVID-19 Mortality Risk Score with Frailty and Disability.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAdding pre-admission disability and frailty scores to a standard COVID-19 mortality risk score improved prediction accuracy for older hospitalized patients. Functional status two weeks before admission was independently associated with survival, suggesting these factors should be routinely assessed.
• PTRNQualitative2021Theoretical care model for children with congenital Zika virus syndrome in the family context.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemMothers of children with congenital Zika virus syndrome were the main caregivers, often overloaded by transport, poverty and dependence. Fathers helped sporadically, leaving less time for home stimulation. Physiotherapists and nurses were reported to reinforce home stimulation.
• PTOTRNOther2021Using structural equation modeling in the understanding of functional disability in older adults.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemOlder adults had more difficulty with complex social activities than daily tasks or self-care. Frailty, depression, low schooling and long sitting were linked to lower function. More illnesses were associated with lower function through these factors.
• PTRNCohort2021Perception of musculoskeletal pain in the state of confinement: associated factors.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemDuring Spain's early lockdown, more adults reported musculoskeletal pain, especially women and people over 65, and pain was linked to more sitting, screen time, and restlessness, tension, or poor sleep.
• PTOther2021Racial differences in physical activity in nursing home residents with cognitive impairment.Applied nursing research : ANRAfter accounting for age, cognition, and comorbidities, African American and White nursing home residents with cognitive impairment had no clear differences in function or physical activity. Both groups had insufficient activity, so activity plans should target all residents rather than by race.
• PTCohort2021Retrospective analysis of exercise capacity in patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft.International journal of nursing sciencesAlmost all patients after coronary bypass or stent had reduced exercise capacity: 223 of 230. Higher anxiety scores were associated with lower capacity, even after age, smoking, depression and peak systolic blood pressure were included. This does not prove treating anxiety improves exercise.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Incident Impaired Cognitive Function in Sarcopenic Obesity: Data From the National Health and Aging Trends Survey.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults with low grip strength, with or without obesity, were at significantly higher risk of developing impaired cognitive function over 8 years. Obesity alone did not increase this risk, suggesting muscle weakness is the primary driver of cognitive decline in this population.
• PTRNRCT2022Effect of a multimedia training programme for pain management on pain intensity and depression in patients with non-specific chronic back pain.Investigacion y educacion en enfermeriaMultimedia pain training showed no clear difference from routine care at each measured time for pain or depression. Change over time differed between groups, and baseline depression was higher in the multimedia group.
• PTOTRNQualitativeStories of Lymphoma Survivors in Early Aftercare: A Narrative Inquiry.Cancer nursingLymphoma survivors described fatigue, reduced exercise capacity, memory and concentration problems, work and money worries, relationship strain, fear of recurrence, and other life problems during early aftercare. They valued nurse-led consultations for goals and options, not just medical checks.
• PTOTQualitative2021A CHAT about health literacy - a qualitative feasibility study of the Conversational Health Literacy Assessment Tool (CHAT) in a Danish municipal healthcare centre.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesClinicians using CHAT health literacy conversations in a Danish rehabilitation service said they spotted overlooked health literacy needs, but lacked services to act on them.
• PTRNOtherAre Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Associated With Cancer-Related Symptoms in Real Time?: A Daily Diary Study.Cancer nursingOn days with more physical activity during treatment, patients reported lower symptom burden and fatigue, but only at BMI below 36.5 for burden and 35 for fatigue. Sedentary time was not consistently associated with symptoms, and pain interference was unchanged.
• PTOTQualitative2021Stroke survivors' experiences with rebuilding life in the community and exercising at home: A qualitative study.Nursing openSome stroke survivors built exercise into valued daily routines, such as walking in a shopping mall or climbing steps at home. They said fear of falling, low motivation and little professional feedback made home exercise hard.
• PTProtocolTelehealth Exercise Intervention in Older Adults With HIV: Protocol of a Multisite Randomized Trial.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACNo results yet. This protocol plans a randomized trial of telehealth group exercise for older adults with HIV. It can show feasibility and fitness effects later, but cannot change patient care now.
• PTOTRNSurvey2021The information needs of people with COPD-The holistic approach with special reference to gender and time since diagnosis.Nursing openPeople with COPD reported many unmet information needs about counselling, especially what to do when breathing worsens, when to call an ambulance, diet, palliative care, fatigue and daily life. Ask about these topics.
• PTRNPilotThe Development of iManage-PC, an Online Symptom Monitoring and Self-management Tool for Men With Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer.Cancer nursingMen with localized prostate cancer used an online symptom-monitoring and self-management tool for four weeks with high adherence and satisfaction. They reported better confidence and some urinary and bowel symptom improvements, but prostate cancer anxiety did not improve.
• PTOTRNQualitative2022Trajectories of Recovery after Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.Western journal of nursing researchPatients recovering from atrial fibrillation ablation found the process slower and more variable than expected. Fatigue and return to physical activity lagged behind other symptoms by about two months, leading many to believe their recovery was abnormal.
• PTRNQualitative2022The ups and downs of lifestyle modification: An existential journey among persons with severe obesity.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesPeople with severe obesity described maintaining lifestyle change years later as fluctuating with daily hassles, shame and weight loss pressure. They valued trusted clinicians who listened and avoided forcing exercise.
• PTOther2022Burden of disease and lifestyle habits in adolescents and young adults prone to frequent episodic migraine: A secondary comparative analysis.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityYoung adults with frequent episodic migraine had more headache days, severe disability, regular analgesic use and less weekday sleep than adolescents; adolescents reported higher pain intensity. Most lifestyle differences were not significant.