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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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Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2020 Update)

January 1, 2020 | CPG

Patient Age: Aged (65+), Adult (25-44), 80 and over (80+), Middle Aged (45-64)

APTA Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy: Physical Therapist Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Individuals With Heart Failure (CPG+)

January 1, 2020 | CPG

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

APTA Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy: Clinical Practice Guideline to Improve Locomotor Function Following Chronic Stroke, Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, and Brain Injury (CPG+)

January 1, 2020 | CPG

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

Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries, 3rd Edition, Quick Reference Guide

December 1, 2019 | CPG

Patient Age: Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24), Preschool Child (2-5), 80 and over (80+), Middle Aged (45-64), Child (6-12), Aged (65+), Adult (25-44)
Condition & Symptoms: Ulcer

OARSI Guidelines for the Non-surgical Management of Knee, Hip, and Polyarticular Osteoarthritis

November 1, 2019 | CPG

Patient Age: Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+)
Condition & Symptoms: Knee Conditions, Osteoarthritis

Standardization of Spirometry 2019 Update. An Official American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society Technical Statement

October 15, 2019 | 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: Lung Conditions, Respiratory Conditions

Diabetic Foot Problems: Prevention and Management [NICE NG19]

October 11, 2019 | CPG

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

2019 Update of the American College of Rheumatology/Spondylitis Association of America/Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network Recommendations for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritisondylitis and Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis - 2015

October 1, 2019 | CPG

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

Recommendations for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

October 1, 2019 | CPG

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

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

September 10, 2019 | CPG

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

Canadian Guideline for Parkinson Disease

September 9, 2019 | CPG

Patient Age: Aged (65+), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64)
Condition & Symptoms: Parkinson Disease

VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Rehabilitation of Lower Limb Amputation: An Update

September 1, 2019 | CPG

Patient Age: Adult (25-44), Aged (65+), Middle Aged (45-64)
Condition & Symptoms: Amputation