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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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Physiotherapy for Cystic Fibrosis in Australia and New Zealand: A Clinical Practice Guideline

May 1, 2016 | CPG

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

BTS/ICS Guideline for the Ventilatory Management of Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure in Adults

April 1, 2016 | CPG

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

Lower Extremity Injury Medical Treatment Guidelines

March 16, 2016 | CPG

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

Management of Chronic Heart Failure [SIGN 147]

March 1, 2016 | CPG

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

Management of Diabetic Foot: A Clinical Practice Guideline by the Society for Vascular Surgery in Collaboration With the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Society for Vascular Medicine

February 1, 2016 | CPG

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

Recommendations on Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

January 5, 2016 | CPG

Patient Age: 80 and over (80+), Aged (65+)
Condition & Symptoms: Alzheimer Disease, Dementia

IWGDF Guidance on the Diagnosis and Management of Foot Infections in Persons With Diabetes

January 1, 2016 | CPG

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

IWGDF Guidance on Footwear and Offloading Interventions to Prevent and Heal Foot Ulcers in Patients With Diabetes

January 1, 2016 | CPG

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

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Appropriate Use Criteria for Management of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Femoral Condyle

December 4, 2015 | CPG

Patient Age: Child (6-12), Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24)
Condition & Symptoms: Hip Conditions, Osteochondritis Dissecans

Updating ACSM’s Recommendations for Exercise Preparticipation Health Screening

November 1, 2015 | CPG

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

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Appropriate Use Criteria for the Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

October 2, 2015 | CPG

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

Recommendations for the Management of Polymyalgia Rheumatica - 2015: A European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology Collaborative Initiative

October 1, 2015 | CPG

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