Chronicling Research and Practice Evolution in Pediatric Physical Therapy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation Sciences

Background:

• The journal Pediatric Physical Therapy serves as a key indicator of research and practice trends in the field.
• Understanding these trends is crucial for the continued development and advancement of pediatric physical therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze research and practice trends within the field of pediatric physical therapy by examining publications in the journal Pediatric Physical Therapy from 1989 to 2019.
• To identify shifts in study populations, methodologies, and interventions over a 30-year period.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of all issues of Pediatric Physical Therapy published between 1989 and 2019.
• Data extraction focused on variables related to journal issues and individual articles, including diagnoses, participant age groups, study designs, and interventions.

Main Results:

• Cerebral palsy was the most frequently studied diagnosis.
• There was a notable increase in studies involving middle childhood and adolescent participants over time.
• Cohort studies and exercise interventions were the most common study types and interventions, respectively.
• The proportion of scientific content within the journal demonstrated an upward trend.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric physical therapy research has evolved considerably in rigor and scope over the past three decades.
• The findings indicate a growing breadth of studied populations and an increasing scientific foundation in the field.
• This evaluation of literature trends supports the ongoing professional growth of pediatric physical therapy.