Skip to main content

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.

Search CPGs

  • Sort by:
Clear
Filter by

All CPGs

Prevention of Acute Exacerbations of COPD

April 1, 2015 | CPG

Patient Age: Aged (65+), 80 and over (80+), Middle Aged (45-64), Adult (25-44)
Condition & Symptoms: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

American Academy of Neurology and American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine: Evidence-Based Guideline Summary Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Management of Congenital Muscular Dystrophy

March 31, 2015 | CPG

Patient Age: Preschool Child (2-5)
Condition & Symptoms: Muscular Dystrophy

Risk Assessment and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians

March 3, 2015 | CPG

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

Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians

March 3, 2015 | CPG

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

Atherosclerotic Occlusive Disease of the Lower Extremities: Management of Asymptomatic Disease and Claudication

March 1, 2015 | CPG

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

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Medical Treatment Guidelines

February 1, 2015 | CPG

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

Shoulder Injury Medical Treatment Guidelines

February 1, 2015 | CPG

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

Spanish Society of Rheumatology: Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis

January 1, 2015 | CPG

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

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Hypertension Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline

January 1, 2015 | CPG

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

IWGDF Guidance on Use of Interventions to Enhance the Healing of Chronic Ulcers of the Foot in Diabetes

January 1, 2015 | CPG

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

Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: A Dutch Practice Guideline

January 1, 2015 | CPG

Patient Age: 80 and over (80+), Aged (65+)
Condition & Symptoms: Heart Failure

American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline: The Diagnosis of Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness in Adults

December 15, 2014 | CPG

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