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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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Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition

January 1, 2018 | 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+)

Screening for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

January 1, 2018 | CPG

Patient Age: Child (6-12), Adolescent (13-18)
Condition & Symptoms: Scoliosis

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Practical Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines, 5th Edition

November 30, 2017 | CPG

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

Chronic Pain Disorder Medical Treatment Guideline

November 30, 2017 | CPG

Patient Age: Middle Aged (45-64), Adult (25-44), Aged (65+)
Condition & Symptoms: Chronic Pain, Occupational Injuries

APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy: Knee Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Knee Ligament Sprain [Revision 2017]

November 1, 2017 | CPG

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

Cystic Fibrosis: Diagnosis and Management [NG78]

October 25, 2017 | CPG

Patient Age: Preschool Child (2-5), Adult (25-44), Child (6-12), Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24)
Condition & Symptoms: Cystic Fibrosis

Evidence-based Scientific Exercise Guidelines for Adults With Spinal Cord Injury: An Update and a New Guideline

October 25, 2017 | CPG

Patient Age: Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Young Adult (19-24)
Condition & Symptoms: Spinal Conditions

Responding to Children and Adolescents Who Have Been Sexually Abused: WHO Clinical Guidelines

October 13, 2017 | CPG

Patient Age: Adolescent (13-18), Preschool Child (2-5), Child (6-12)

European Respiratory Society Guidelines for the Management of Adult Bronchiectasis

September 9, 2017 | CPG

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

Rehabilitation After Critical Illness in Adults [NICE QS158]

September 7, 2017 | CPG

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

Preventing Falls and Reducing Injury From Falls, Fourth Edition

September 1, 2017 | CPG

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

American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and the Heart Failure Society of America: Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure

August 8, 2017 | CPG

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