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Clinical Practice Guidelines

The American Physical Therapy Association supports evidence-based practice to reduce unwarranted variation in care and improve the value of physical therapist services.

APTA provides its members with relevant clinical practice guidelines, which are based on a systematic review of the evidence. APTA, APTA academies and sections, and other health care associations, organizations, and societies publish the CPGs. APTA does not endorse any of these guidelines unless specifically noted.

The guidelines assist in clinical decision-making, not to take the place of clinician judgment. A team of experts conducts a CPG+ analysis on some of the CPGs — a translation aid for applying the guidelines to practice, including Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II.

APTA supports the development of CPGs.

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Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy: Clinical Practice Guideline for Physical Therapist Management of People With Rheumatoid Arthritis

May 17, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Rheumatoid Arthritis

EULAR 2021 Recommendations for the Management of Self-Implementation Strategies in Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis

May 7, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+), Young Adult (19-24)
Condition & Symptoms: Osteoarthritis

VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI) 2021

May 1, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Aged (65+), Middle Aged (45-64), 80 and over (80+), Adult (25-44)
Condition & Symptoms: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Pain

APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy: Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprains Revision (CPG+)

April 1, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Adult (25-44), Young Adult (19-24), Adolescent (13-18)
Condition & Symptoms: Ankle Conditions

VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Revised), v. 3.0

April 1, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Aged (65+), Middle Aged (45-64), Adult (25-44), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

APTA: Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Ankle-Foot Orthoses and Functional Electrical Stimulation Post-Stroke (CPG+)

April 1, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Young Adult (19-24), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Foot Conditions, Stroke, Hemiplegia

Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2021 Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the Adult

March 26, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64)
Condition & Symptoms: Cardiac Conditions

COVID-19 Rapid Guideline: Managing Symptoms (Including at the End of Life) in the Community [NG191]

March 23, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Child (6-12), Middle Aged (45-64), Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24), Adult (25-44), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Lung Conditions, Respiratory Conditions, COVID-19

APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy: Physical Therapy Management of Older Adults With Hip Fracture (CPG+)

February 1, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: 80 and over (80+), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+)
Condition & Symptoms: Fractures, Hip Conditions

The First Global Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Guidelines for People Living With Disability

January 3, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Preschool Child (2-5), Child (6-12), Young Adult (19-24), Adolescent (13-18), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Depression, Mental Health, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson Disease, Spinal Conditions, Stroke, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities

Management of Osteoporosis and the Prevention of Fragility Fractures [SIGN 142]

January 1, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Fractures, Osteoporosis

World Health Organization Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Pain in Children

December 22, 2020 | CPG

Patient Age: Newborn (birth-1mo), Preschool Child (2-5), Infant (1-23mo), Child (6-12), Adolescent (13-18)
Condition & Symptoms: Chronic Pain