Physical Therapy

Scope & Guideline

Fostering Evidence-Based Practices in Physical Therapy.

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Physical Therapy with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0031-9023
PublisherOXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1964 to 2024
AbbreviationPHYS THER / Phys. Therapy
Frequency12 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressJOURNALS DEPT, 2001 EVANS RD, CARY, NC 27513

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Physical Therapy' aims to advance the field of physical therapy through rigorous research, innovative methodologies, and evidence-based practices. Its scope encompasses a wide range of therapeutic interventions, patient outcomes, and the integration of multidisciplinary approaches to enhance rehabilitation and health promotion.
  1. Multimodal Lifestyle Interventions:
    Focus on integrating various therapeutic modalities, including exercise, nutrition, and psychological support to manage chronic pain and other health conditions.
  2. Evidence-Based Practice:
    Emphasis on systematic reviews and meta-analyses to inform clinical practices and interventions in physical therapy, ensuring that treatments are grounded in the latest research.
  3. Patient-Centered Care:
    Research that prioritizes the perspectives and experiences of patients, aiming to enhance communication, shared decision-making, and satisfaction with physical therapy interventions.
  4. Assessment and Measurement Tools:
    Development and validation of assessment tools to measure physical function, pain, and quality of life, particularly in diverse populations and specific conditions.
  5. Technological Integration:
    Exploration of technology's role in physical therapy, including telehealth, mobile health applications, and wearable devices to improve patient outcomes and accessibility.
  6. Cross-Cultural Adaptation:
    Adapting and validating existing tools and interventions for different cultural contexts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to ensure relevant and effective care.
The journal 'Physical Therapy' has increasingly focused on several emerging trends and themes that reflect current advancements in the field and the evolving needs of patients and practitioners.
  1. Chronic Pain Management:
    A growing emphasis on comprehensive strategies for chronic pain management, integrating physical therapy with psychological and lifestyle interventions.
  2. Telehealth and Digital Interventions:
    Significant increase in research exploring the efficacy and implementation of telehealth services and digital tools, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. Behavioral and Psychological Factors:
    Emerging focus on the role of psychological factors, such as kinesiophobia and self-efficacy, in influencing treatment outcomes and patient adherence to physical therapy.
  4. Musculoskeletal Health in Diverse Populations:
    Increased attention to the prevalence and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in various demographics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
  5. Integration of Technology in Rehabilitation:
    Exploration of innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to enhance assessment, intervention, and patient engagement in physical therapy.
  6. Holistic and Multidisciplinary Approaches:
    A trend towards interdisciplinary collaboration, incorporating insights from various healthcare fields to address complex health conditions and improve patient outcomes.

Declining or Waning

While the journal continues to explore a broad range of physical therapy topics, certain themes appear to be declining in prominence over recent years. This may reflect shifts in research focus or changes in clinical practice priorities.
  1. Traditional Biomedical Approaches:
    There is a noticeable decline in studies centered solely on traditional biomedical models of treatment, as the field increasingly embraces biopsychosocial and multimodal approaches.
  2. Passive Treatment Modalities:
    Research on passive modalities, such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation, appears to be waning, with a shift toward active engagement strategies such as exercise and behavioral interventions.
  3. Single-Dimensional Outcome Measures:
    The focus on simplistic or single-dimensional measures of outcomes is decreasing, as the field recognizes the complexity of patient experiences and the need for comprehensive assessments.
  4. Narrowly Defined Patient Populations:
    A reduction in studies focusing on very specific or niche populations, as the journal moves towards broader, more inclusive research that addresses diverse patient needs and contexts.
  5. Overemphasis on Clinical Trials:
    A declining trend in the publication of clinical trials without accompanying qualitative or mixed-methods research, highlighting a need for a more holistic understanding of patient experiences.

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