Priorities in physical therapy research: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Physical Therapy Research
• Global Health Research Agenda

Background:

• Physical therapy is a dynamic field requiring strategic research to identify knowledge gaps.
• Establishing clear research priorities is crucial for improving efficiency and impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize physical therapy research priorities.
• To establish a global research agenda for physical therapy.
• To compare research priorities across different studies.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted using major academic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar).
• Included studies involved physical therapists, researchers, patients, or policymakers in priority setting.
• Content analysis by two independent reviewers identified key research priorities.

Main Results:

• Twenty-five records were analyzed, primarily original articles from high-income countries.
• A total of 551 priorities were identified for general and specific physical therapy fields since 2000.
• A global research agenda was created with 9 priority categories, emphasizing cost and effectiveness studies.

Conclusions:

• This review synthesized literature to create a global physical therapy research agenda.
• The 9 identified priority categories can guide future study design and research efforts.
• The agenda aims to focus research on questions relevant to diverse stakeholders and nationalities.