As part of the APTA's strategic objective to reduce unwarranted variation in care and to improve the value of physical therapist services, APTA supports the development of clinical practice guidelines. Recognizing that the APTA sections represent the clinical expertise of the profession, the association facilitates the sections' development of CPGs through a program that provides support and funding, including an annual CPG workshop.
CPGs in Development
This list is updated each March, June, and December.
CPGs in the Drafting Phase
- Aquatic Therapy Interventions for the Treatment of Primary Hip Osteoarthritis*
(Developing Section(s): Aquatics. Contact: Paula Geigle)
- Pelvic Girdle Pain in the Postpartum Population*
(Developing Section(s): Women's Health. Contact: Adrienne H. Simonds)
- Conservative Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
(Developing Section(s): Hand and Upper Extremity and Orthopaedics. Contact: Mia Erickson)
- Conservative Management of Lateral Tendinopathy
(Developing Section(s): Hand and Upper Extremity and Orthopaedics. Contact: Ann Lucado)
- Core Set of Outcome Measures for Patients with Neurologic Conditions
(Developing Section(s): Neurology. Contact: Jennifer Lynn Moore)
- Knee Injury Prevention
(Developing Section(s): Orthopaedics and Sports.)
- Management of Upper Quadrant Secondary Lymphedema*
(Developing Section(s): Onocology. Contact: Laura Sisola Gilchrist)
- Neck Pain Revision
(Developing Section(s): Orthopaedics. Contact: Peter Blanpied)
- Physical Therapy CPG for Work Rehabilitation*
(Developing Section(s): Orthopaedics. Contact: Deirdre Daley
- Physical Therapy for Persistent Symptoms Following Concussion*
(Developing Section(s): Neurology, Orthopaedics, and Sports. Contact: Karen Leigh McCulloch)
- Physical Therapy Management of Falls in Community-dwelling Older Adults*
(Developing Section(s): Geriatrics. Contact: Timothy A. Hanke)
- Physical Therapy for Adults Following Acutely Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure*
(Developing Section(s): Cardiovascular and Pulmonary. Contact: John D. Heick)
- Specific Training Parameters for Walking Recovery in Adults with Chronic Stroke*
(Developing Section(s): Neurology. Contact: Thomas George Hornby)
*APTA Funded
CPGs in the Appraisal Phase
- Clinical Guidance Statement for PT-related Treatment of Osteoporsis*
(Developing Section(s): Geriatrics. Contact: Keith Gerard Avin)
- PT Management of Critically Ill Patients in the ICU*
(Developing Section(s): Acute Care, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, and Oncology. Contact: Amy Joyce Nordon-Craft)
- Identification and Evaluation of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome*
(Developing Section(s): Acute Care. Contact: James M. Smith)
- Functional Lower Gastrointestinal Disorders: Constipation*
(Developing Section(s): Women's Health. Contact: Susan E. George)
- Diabetic Foot Ulcer*
(Developing Section(s): Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management. Contact: Elizabeth Ann Altenburger)
- Distal Radius Fractures
(Developing Section(s): Hand and Upper Extremity and Orthopaedics. Contact: Christos Karagiannopoulos)
- Physical Therapy Management of Older Adults with Hip Fracture*
(Developing Section(s): Geriatrics and Orthopaedics. Contact: Christine McDonough)
- Outcomes for Patients With Wounds & Lymphedema: Impacts of Wound Healing on Activities
(Developing Section(s): Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management. Contact: Jaimee D. Haan)
- Patient Education and Counseling for the Management of Chronic Pain
(Developing Section(s): Education and Orthopaedics. Contact: David C. Morrisette)
- Physical Therapy Intervention for Adult Women with Urinary Incontinence*
(Developing Section(s): Women's Health. Contact: J. Adrienne McAuley)
- Physical Therapy Management of Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder
(Developing Section(s): Pediatrics. Contact: Lisa A. Dannemiller)
- Foot Drop using Ankle Foot Orthoses or Functional Electrical Stimulation*
(Developing Section(s): Neurology. Contact: Therese E. Johnston)
*APTA Funded
CPGs in the Planning Phase
- Assessment and Treatment of Cancer-Related Fatigue*
(Developing Section(s): Oncology)
- Differential Diagnosis for Conditions Mimicking Musculoskeletal Conditions*
(Developing Section(s): Orthopaedics and Federal. Contact: Rebecca Vogsland)
- Exercise Training for the Breast Cancer Survivor
(Developing Section(s): Oncology. Contact: Steven Glenn Morris)
- Patellofemoral Pain
(Developing Section(s): Orthopaedics. Contact: David S. Logerstedt)
- Pelvic Pain*
(Developing Section(s): Orthopaedics and Women's Health. Contact: Meryl J. Alappattu)
- Physical Therapists as Primary Care for Pain and Mobility Complaints
(Developing Section(s): Federal and Orthopaedics. Contact: Rebecca Junelle Vogsland)
- Venous Leg Ulcers
(Developing Section(s): Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management. Contact: Stanley Keith McCallon)
- Role of Gait Analysis in the Management of Children with Cerebral Palsy
(Developing Section(s): Pediatrics. Contact: Ellen M. Godwin)
- Prevention of Contracture and Deformity in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
(Developing Section(s): Pediatrics. Contact: Laura Elizabeth Case)
- Shoulder Instability*
(Developing Section(s): Orthopaedics. Contact: Timothy Uhl)
*APTA FundedPublished CPGs
CPGs Developed by APTA and Sections
APTA CPG Workshop
APTA's annual CPG workshop walks sections through the development and dissemination process of evidence-based documents such as CPGs. Nomination for guideline development groups to attend are submitted by APTA sections. For more information, please contact your section or practice-dept@apta.org.
APTA CPG Funding Opportunity
APTA funds development of clinical practice guidelines through submissions by APTA sections. Proposals are accepted biannually, in March and September. Contact your section representative for information.
Eligibility:
Proposals must focus on physical therapist clinical practice and must be submitted by an APTA section. Contact your section representative for information.
Funding:
The maximum allocation amount is $10,000 for each proposal. Each proposal will be considered individually and will be awarded in part or in full depending on the priorities of the association and competition with other submissions.
Section Representatives for CPGs
Contact your section representative for information.
Resources for Developing CPGs
Review external resources that provide guidelines, information, and advice on developing CPGs. Review resource listing.