Skip to main content

Another year, another collection of high-quality, on-point research published in PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, APTA's scientific journal. The publication, available for free to members as a member benefit, continued to grow in influence as it made inroads in social media, offered more podcasts than ever, and refined its continuous publication model.

Taken together, PTJ's accomplishments in 2023 amount to a great send-off for Editor-in-Chief Alan Jette, PT, PhD, FAPTA, who handed over the journal's reins to Stephen George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, beginning this year.

Here's a look back at the five most downloaded PTJ articles published in 2023.

(If you want to dive deeper into the journal's back catalog, simply visit the PTJ "browse issues" page, and if you want to keep up with the latest content, sign up for PTJ email alerts.)

  1. Physical Therapist Management of Glenohumeral Joint Osteoarthritis: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American Physical Therapy Association.”
  2. Restoring That Faith in My Shoulder: A Qualitative Investigation of How and Why Exercise Therapy Influenced the Clinical Outcomes of People With Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain.”
  3. Long-Term Career Earnings in Academia Might Offset the Opportunity Cost of Full-Time PhD and Postdoctoral Education for Physical Therapists Who Hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree.”
  4. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Using Minimal Equipment for People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis.”
  5. First Provider Seen for an Acute Episode of Low Back Pain Influences Subsequent Health Care Utilization.”

You Might Also Like...

Article

Physical Therapy in the News: May 2026

Jun 3, 2026

"Physical Therapy in the News" is a monthly series that highlights recent media coverage of the profession and APTA members. 

Column

President's Note | What It Means to Be Your Professional Home

Jun 1, 2026

In this issue of APTA Magazine, we focus on the second pillar of APTA's Strategic Framework for 2030: Empowering Our Members. The goal of this pillar?

Column

Defining Moment | From Capitol Hill to the Clinic Curb

Jun 1, 2026

One PT learned that advocacy doesn't always take place in Washington, D.C. Sometimes, it starts on the sidewalk outside your clinic.