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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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Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Multidisciplinary Review by the Dutch Orthopaedic Association

June 1, 2014 | CPG

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

Supplemental Oxygen Utilization During Physical Therapy Interventions: Official Guidelines From the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section

June 1, 2014 | CPG

Patient Age: Child (6-12), Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24), Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64), Aged (65+)
Condition & Symptoms: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Critical Illness, Cystic Fibrosis, Respiratory Conditions, COVID-19

Guidelines for the Prevention of Stroke in Women: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

May 1, 2014 | CPG

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

Beyond Medications and Diet: Alternative Approaches to Lowering Blood Pressure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

May 1, 2014 | CPG

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

Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of the Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

May 1, 2014 | CPG

Patient Age: Adult (25-44), Middle Aged (45-64)
Condition & Symptoms: Hypertension, Pregnancy

Pressure Ulcers: Prevention and Management [NICE CG179]

April 23, 2014 | CPG

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

Official American Thoracic Society Technical Standards: Spirometry in the Occupational Setting

April 15, 2014 | CPG

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

Vulvodynia 2013 Guideline Update

April 1, 2014 | CPG

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

Cervical Spine Injury Medical Treatment Guidelines

March 30, 2014 | CPG

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

Best Evidence Statement (BESt). Physical Therapy During the Hemopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Process to Improve Quality of Life

March 18, 2014 | CPG

Patient Age: Adolescent (13-18), Child (6-12), Young Adult (19-24)

Conservative Management of Lateral Patellar Dislocations and Instability

March 18, 2014 | CPG

Patient Age: Preschool Child (2-5), Adult (25-44), Child (6-12), Adolescent (13-18)
Condition & Symptoms: Knee Conditions

Best Evidence Statement (BESt). Use of Pressure Therapy for Management of Hypertrophic Scarring

March 13, 2014 | CPG

Patient Age: Child (6-12), Preschool Child (2-5), Adolescent (13-18)
Condition & Symptoms: Skin Conditions