BMJ Open October 2019 PMID 31591090

Do physical therapists follow evidence-based guidelines when managing musculoskeletal conditions? Systematic review.

Joshua Zadro, Mary O'Keeffe, Christopher Maher

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Mentions

56
Peak: 8 in Dec 2025
across 5 sources since Jan 2020

Extended reach

136,952
potential audience

Total likes

93

Video views

1,175

Mentions per month

Jan 2020 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter23 posts
  • Facebook16 posts
  • Instagram9 posts
  • News6 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Participants frequently refer to the study's findings about guideline adherence, such as the 54% compliance rate, using words like 'considerable scope' and questions about clinical practices. The tone suggests a mix of concern and acknowledgment of the need for better alignment with evidence, reflecting a moderate level of engagement and interest in improving physical therapy practices based on the study's insights.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge that adherence to evidence-based guidelines among physical therapists is variable, with some posts emphasizing the need for improvement.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate interest, with some tweets highlighting specific data points and implications, but overall engagement with the topic is cautious.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts reference study findings, discuss clinical practices, and suggest improvements, indicating a meaningful level of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions recognize the importance of adhering to guidelines, implying that the article has relevance for clinical practice and professional development.

Abstract in brief

  • This systematic review examined whether physical therapists' treatment choices for musculoskeletal conditions align with evidence-based guidelines, finding that about 54% of therapists selected recommended treatments based on surveys, and 63% of patients received these recommended interventions according to clinical notes.
  • It highlights that there is variability in adherence to evidence-based practices among physical therapists, indicating room for improvement in following established guidelines.
  • The study analyzed data from 94 research papers, using methods like surveys and audits, to assess how closely real-world treatment decisions match current evidence and recommendations.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Zach Lentini, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
@Lentini_PT · X

I get it—life is busy. You don’t have the time to read a research article every night. Even if you did, you don’t have subscriptions to many high-quality journals. But you could join #PTtwitter and follow researchers. Save time and money! https://t.co/NeIDrHbnMp

Feb 12, 2021 · 16 likes · 1 share · 3,632 followers View post →
Jo Gibson
@ShoulderGeek1 · X

@Martin_Nekkolai @AdamMeakins @CorKinetic @LennartBentsen @GregLehman https://t.co/yKb4mrxMLI does this help ?

Nov 7, 2022 · 15 likes · 4 shares · 30,501 followers View post →
Seth Peterson
@DrSethPT · X

2.) They used TENS and irradiation therapy for 1 HOUR. Justification was its commonplace. This is NOT. In this study, clinical notes showed only 18% of PTs used modalities for CLBP. 64% used exercise. Odd it wasn’t called “PT aquatic exercise.” (2/?) https://t.co/nbxM35BmNJ

Jan 11, 2022 · 14 likes · 5,360 followers View post →
Todd Davenport
@sunsopeningband · X

@rwilly2003 @MuyVienDPT Thanks for asking. Here’s my depressing source: https://t.co/OAfh1SUA6d

Aug 21, 2022 · 5 likes · 12,727 followers View post →
Andrés Logroño
@AndrsLogrono · X

LOS FISIOS SIGUEN PAUAS BASADAS EN EVIDENCIA CUANDO MANEJAN CONDICIONES MUSCULOESQUELETICAS? 54% SI hacen tratamientos recomendados 43% hacen ttos NO recomendados 81% hacen ttos SIN recomendación https://t.co/i4vQwi1CmU #Fisioterapia #fisioterapia #ciencia #dolor

Aug 27, 2022 · 5 likes · 1 share · 1,324 followers View post →
Ash Paul
@pash22 · X

Do physical therapists follow evidence-based guidelines when managing musculoskeletal conditions? Systematic review https://t.co/WqLB8Es8Ew via @zadro_josh et al https://t.co/wRbDqpQWp5

Oct 31, 2023 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 32,318 followers View post →

All mentions

(pardon my musings)
@PardonMusings · X

NIH study found: PT "... not to follow evidence-based guidelines .... There is considerable scope to increase use of recommended treatments and reduce use of treatments that are not recommended." https://t.co/7c6SWLuvtM

Mar 26, 2024 · 40 followers View post →
Seth Peterson
@DrSethPT · X

@billwillhbpt 1/3 is probably way worse than the average PT based on this paper https://t.co/nbxM35Tw1R

Mar 2, 2024 · 1 like · 5,360 followers View post →
Wiser Healthcare
@wiserhealthcare · X

RT @pash22: Do physical therapists follow evidence-based guidelines when managing musculoskeletal conditions? Systematic review https://t.c…

Oct 31, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,721 followers View post →
Joshua Zadro
@zadro_josh · X

RT @pash22: Do physical therapists follow evidence-based guidelines when managing musculoskeletal conditions? Systematic review https://t.c…

Oct 31, 2023 · 2 shares · 2,189 followers View post →
Ash Paul
@pash22 · X

Do physical therapists follow evidence-based guidelines when managing musculoskeletal conditions? Systematic review https://t.co/WqLB8Es8Ew via @zadro_josh et al https://t.co/wRbDqpQWp5

Oct 31, 2023 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 32,318 followers View post →
MSKphile
@riquier_sylvain · X

RT @ShoulderGeek1: @Martin_Nekkolai @AdamMeakins @CorKinetic @LennartBentsen @GregLehman https://t.co/yKb4mrxMLI does this help ?

Nov 8, 2022 · 4 shares · 77 followers View post →
ACPSEMdance
@ACPSEMdance · X

RT @ShoulderGeek1: @Martin_Nekkolai @AdamMeakins @CorKinetic @LennartBentsen @GregLehman https://t.co/yKb4mrxMLI does this help ?

Nov 8, 2022 · 4 shares · 2,970 followers View post →
Madhan Ramanathan
@sportsphysiouk · X

RT @ShoulderGeek1: @Martin_Nekkolai @AdamMeakins @CorKinetic @LennartBentsen @GregLehman https://t.co/yKb4mrxMLI does this help ?

Nov 8, 2022 · 4 shares · 1,132 followers View post →
anju jaggi
@AnjuJaggi · X

RT @ShoulderGeek1: @Martin_Nekkolai @AdamMeakins @CorKinetic @LennartBentsen @GregLehman https://t.co/yKb4mrxMLI does this help ?

Nov 8, 2022 · 4 shares · 12,446 followers View post →
Jo Gibson
@ShoulderGeek1 · X

@Martin_Nekkolai @AdamMeakins @CorKinetic @LennartBentsen @GregLehman https://t.co/yKb4mrxMLI does this help ?

Nov 7, 2022 · 15 likes · 4 shares · 30,501 followers View post →
Seth Peterson
@DrSethPT · X

@MikeMakher @37cycles I honestly get the impression most people think all we do is exercises. It is the most commonly performed intervention by PTs. I think the crazy stories are important but might also contribute to saliency bias. Guideline adherence was 54% here https://t.co/nbxM35Tw1R

Sep 19, 2022 · 2 likes · 5,360 followers View post →
carmen cv
@carmencv20 · X

RT @AndrsLogrono: LOS FISIOS SIGUEN PAUAS BASADAS EN EVIDENCIA CUANDO MANEJAN CONDICIONES MUSCULOESQUELETICAS? 54% SI hacen tratamientos…

Aug 28, 2022 · 1 share View post →
Andrés Logroño
@AndrsLogrono · X

LOS FISIOS SIGUEN PAUAS BASADAS EN EVIDENCIA CUANDO MANEJAN CONDICIONES MUSCULOESQUELETICAS? 54% SI hacen tratamientos recomendados 43% hacen ttos NO recomendados 81% hacen ttos SIN recomendación https://t.co/i4vQwi1CmU #Fisioterapia #fisioterapia #ciencia #dolor

Aug 27, 2022 · 5 likes · 1 share · 1,324 followers View post →
Todd Davenport
@sunsopeningband · X

@rwilly2003 @MuyVienDPT Thanks for asking. Here’s my depressing source: https://t.co/OAfh1SUA6d

Aug 21, 2022 · 5 likes · 12,727 followers View post →
Seth Peterson
@DrSethPT · X

@DrDunawayDPT @ShepDPT @jeffmooredpt Don’t know how to measure it do we? Let me count the ways. 1.) We aren’t adhering to CPGs very well (is this warranted variability? Idk but OCS/fellows do better so to me that says no) https://t.co/nbxM35BmNJ

Aug 20, 2022 · 1 like · 5,360 followers View post →
Seth Peterson
@DrSethPT · X

2.) They used TENS and irradiation therapy for 1 HOUR. Justification was its commonplace. This is NOT. In this study, clinical notes showed only 18% of PTs used modalities for CLBP. 64% used exercise. Odd it wasn’t called “PT aquatic exercise.” (2/?) https://t.co/nbxM35BmNJ

Jan 11, 2022 · 14 likes · 5,360 followers View post →
Aaron Kubal
@aaron_kubaldc · X

@PTLauren1 @al3x_thoma5 @jonathanstea @CaulfieldTim The evidence disagrees https://t.co/2JG0v0nRya

Nov 11, 2021 · 2 likes · 2,942 followers View post →
Aaron Kubal
@aaron_kubaldc · X

@bertje70 @jonathanstea @CaulfieldTim Uh oh… looks like it’s more than 2 PTs… https://t.co/2JG0v0nRya

Nov 11, 2021 · 1 like · 2,942 followers View post →
Aaron Kubal
@aaron_kubaldc · X

@NVSports_Spine https://t.co/2JG0v0nRya

Nov 11, 2021 · 1 like · 2,942 followers View post →
Aaron Kubal
@aaron_kubaldc · X

@PTLauren1 @NVSports_Spine The evidence says otherwise. https://t.co/2JG0v0nRya

Nov 11, 2021 · 1 like · 2,942 followers View post →
Melissa Smith, DPT
@MilestoneDocMel · X

RT @Lentini_PT: I get it—life is busy. You don’t have the time to read a research article every night. Even if you did, you don’t have subs…

Feb 12, 2021 · 1 share · 1,016 followers View post →
Zach Lentini, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
@Lentini_PT · X

I get it—life is busy. You don’t have the time to read a research article every night. Even if you did, you don’t have subscriptions to many high-quality journals. But you could join #PTtwitter and follow researchers. Save time and money! https://t.co/NeIDrHbnMp

Feb 12, 2021 · 16 likes · 1 share · 3,632 followers View post →
Beppe Plebani
@BeppePlebani · X

Molto probabilmente, l’Evidence Based in Fisioterapia ha bisogno di un ulteriore modernizzazione...!!!! Evidence Based in Physical therapy likely needs further modernization...!!! https://t.co/tUfbefBa7w

Jan 15, 2020 · 1 like · 107 followers View post →
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