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: February 2026

Mar 4, 2026

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

Article

APTA CSM Attendees Amplify PT For Future Me, Sharing Messages to 80,000+

Mar 3, 2026

From their first steps to their golden years, Americans want to live longer, healthier lives. Yet, according to APTA's latest consumer research report,

News

Rural Health Care Workforce Shortages Highlighted in Congressional Hearing

Feb 25, 2026

This week, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, through which most legislation affecting Medicare and Medicaid passes, held a hearing titled