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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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Telerehabilitation in Physical Therapist Practice: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association (CPG+)

March 21, 2024 | CPG

Patient Age: Preschool Child (2-5), Child (6-12), Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Cardiac Conditions, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Heart Failure, Low Back Pain, Parkinson Disease, Respiratory Conditions, Stroke, Whiplash Injuries, Total Hip Arthroplasty, Total Knee Arthroplasty, Osteoarthritis of the Knee

WHO Guideline for Non-surgical Management of Chronic Primary Low Back Pain in Adults in Primary and Community Care Settings: Executive Summary

December 7, 2023 | CPG

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

VA/DoD CPG for Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain (CPG+)

February 1, 2022 | CPG

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

Low Back Pain Medical Treatment Guidelines

December 20, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Aged (65+), Adult (25-44), Young Adult (19-24), Middle Aged (45-64)
Condition & Symptoms: Low Back Pain, Occupational Injuries

APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy: Interventions for the Management of Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Revision 2021 (CPG+)

October 31, 2021 | CPG

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

APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy: Clinical Guidance to Optimize Work Participation After Injury or Illness: The Role of Physical Therapists (CPG+)

August 1, 2021 | CPG

Patient Age: Young Adult (19-24), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64)
Condition & Symptoms: Low Back Pain, Occupational Injuries