Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy

Vennu, V., et al. (2025). Association Between Musculoskeletal Pain and Frailty Over Time in Older Adults. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 48(1): 33-41??https://lnkd.in/gxeAGPZS. The study examined the association between musculoskeletal pain and the risk of becoming prefrail and frail in older adults. Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) involving 1780 participants aged 65 and older were analyzed over an 8-year period. Results showed that musculoskeletal pain in the lower back and at multiple sites was associated with a slightly decreased risk of prefrailty over time, but the association with frailty was not statistically significant. The study concluded that musculoskeletal pain alone did not significantly increase the risk of prefrailty or frailty, suggesting that other factors may contribute to these conditions. Further research is needed to identify the combination of characteristics that best predict prefrailty and frailty. ?#physicaltherapy?#phsyiotherapy #evidencebasedpractice #olderadults #geriatrics

Urquiza, M., et al. (2025). Predictors of Hospital Readmission, Institutionalization, and Mortality in Geriatric Rehabilitation Following Hospitalization According to Admission Reason. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 48(1): 5-13??https://lnkd.in/g2PkPeUz. Older adults in geriatric rehabilitation often face adverse outcomes like hospital readmission, institutionalization, and mortality. While factors influencing these outcomes have been studied, the impact of the admission reason on predictive factors remains unclear. This study aims to identify predictive factors for adverse outcomes in GR inpatients based on their admission reason. Understanding predictive factors for adverse outcomes, and how these factors differ by admission diagnosis, improves our ability to identify patients most at risk. Early identification of these patients could assist with prevention efforts and lead to a reduction of negative outcomes. #physicaltherapy?#phsyiotherapy #evidencebasedpractice #olderadults #geriatrics

Rimayanti, M. U., et al. (2025). Factors Influencing the Outcome, Mechanism, and Implementation of Motivational Interviewing After Hip Fracture: A Qualitative Analysis. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 48(1): E1-E9??https://lnkd.in/gBd6TRcd. This study examined how motivational interviewing, a person-centered counseling method, could improve mobility and physical activity after a hip fracture. Using an interpretive description framework, 3 themes emerged: (a) It’s about life, (b) Walking is not the goal, and (c) It’s complicated. Effective rehabilitation should integrate motivational interviewing alongside physical therapy, focusing on the individual's overall well-being. For successful hip fracture rehabilitation, our results suggest physical therapists and other care providers address these factors in addition to physical rehabilitation and focus on the person at the center of the process. #physicaltherapy?#phsyiotherapy #evidencebasedpractice #olderadults #geriatrics

APTA CSM 2025 Poster and Platform Abstracts Available for Review JGPT is thrilled to announce that the poster and platform abstracts for the upcoming Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) 2025 are now available for review! This year's abstracts showcase cutting-edge research and innovative clinical practices. We encourage you to dive into the wealth of knowledge shared by your peers and colleagues. Whether you are looking to stay informed about the latest advancements, gather insights for your own practice, or simply fuel your passion for physical therapy, these abstracts are a valuable resource. Don't miss out on this opportunity! To review the abstracts, please visit the following links: Platforms - https://lnkd.in/gBcBBKnC and Posters: https://lnkd.in/gE8KXGqe For more information and updates, stay tuned to the APTA website and our social media channels. We look forward to seeing you there!

Ranson, R., et al. (2025). Age Is Not Just a Number: The Intersection of Age, Orthopedic Injuries, and Worsening Outcomes Following Low-Energy Falls. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 48(1): 24-31??https://lnkd.in/gUpKCyvP. This study purpose was to identify the ages at which adults aged 55+ are most susceptible to injuries and complications from low-energy falls to better target fall prevention strategies. Patients were grouped by age brackets in 5-year intervals. Hip fractures increased with age, and complication rates varied across all age groups. The authos conclude that fall prevention should focus on individuals aged 70-80 due to higher complication risks. While hip fractures increase with age, other fractures remain common, necessitating comprehensive prevention strategies. The findings highlight the critical need for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of falls and improve overall health outcomes for older adults. #physicaltherapy?#phsyiotherapy #evidencebasedpractice #olderadults #geriatrics

Johari, S., et al. (2025). A Scoping Review of Interventions Aimed at Reducing Fear of Falling in Older Adults With Orthopedic Conditions. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 48(1): 42-51??https://lnkd.in/g3KMaSTD. This scoping review focused on interventions targeting Fear of Falling (FoF) in older adults with orthopedic conditions. The interventions were categorized into seven types: exercise training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, enhanced OT/PT, motivational interviews, interdisciplinary interventions, education, and mind-body intervention. The review emphasized the need for comprehensive approaches to address FoF in this population. ?#physicaltherapy?#phsyiotherapy #evidencebasedpractice #olderadults #geriatrics

Bruun, I. H., et al. (2025). Predicting Persistent Reduced Physical Performance in Adults 65+ in Emergency Departments: A Temporal Validation. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 48(1): 14-23??https://lnkd.in/gAjpu4fg. The study aimed to validate an existing 4-item prediction model and develop a new model for identifying adults aged 65+ with persistent reduced physical performance. The validation of the initial model showed it did not consistently apply to other populations. Consequently, a new 5-item model was developed using data from 382 older adults. The new model, which includes variables such as age, gender, self-reported difficulties, self-rated health, and chair-stand test scores, had an area under the curve of 84%. This model is expected to improve the identification of older adults with reduced physical performance and facilitate targeted interventions. #physicaltherapy?#phsyiotherapy #evidencebasedpractice #olderadults #geriatrics

We are thrilled to announce that our latest edition of the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy is now available! ?? Here's a quick summary of what you can expect in the latest edition: Editor’s Message: Pay to Publish, or Perish?: Efforts to Facilitate Reader Access Through Open Access Have Shifted the Cost to Authors - Dr. Allison provides a historical context and discusses the financial implications and challenges of publishing for authors and reviewers. Words of Caution About Reference Values - Dr. Bohannon provides a critical perspective on the use of reference values in clinical practice. Predicting Persistent Reduced Physical Performance in Adults 65+ in Emergency Departments: A Temporal Validation?- Bruun et al. attempt to develop and validate 5-item prediction model for identifying older adults with persistent reduced physical performance after hospitalization. A Scoping Review of Interventions Aimed at Reducing Fear of Falling in Older Adults With Orthopedic Conditions?– a review by Johari et al. examines various interventions designed to reduce fear of falling in older adults with orthopedic conditions. Age Is Not Just a Number: The Intersection of Age, Orthopedic Injuries, and Worsening Outcomes Following Low-Energy Falls?– Ranson et al. stratifies older adults by age groups to identify those most susceptible to complications from low-energy falls and suggests targeted fall prevention strategies. Factors Influencing the Outcome, Mechanism, and Implementation of Motivational Interviewing After Hip Fracture: A Qualitative Analysis?– Rimayanti et al. explore the factors affecting the success of motivational interviewing in improving mobility and physical activity after hip fractures. Predictors of Hospital Readmission, Institutionalization, and Mortality in Geriatric Rehabilitation Following Hospitalization According to Admission Reason?- Urquiza et al. identify predictive factors for adverse health outcomes in older adults undergoing rehabilitation based on the reason for admission. Association Between Musculoskeletal Pain and Frailty Over Time in Older Adults?- Vennu et al. examines the relationship between musculoskeletal pain and the risk of frailty in older adults over time. CSM 2025 Poster & Platform Abstracts?- This edition of the journal includes abstracts from the CSM 2025 conference. Stay tuned for more updates and don't forget to check out the full version of each article for more detailed information. #GeriatricPhysicalTherapy #NewEdition #Healthcare #PhysicalTherapy https://lnkd.in/eXwkTFBT

Hainline, G., et al. (2024). "A Scoping Review of the Predictive Qualities of Walking Speed in Older Adults." Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 47(4): 183-191. https://lnkd.in/eyG4UsCb. Walking speed (WS), often called the sixth vital sign, is an easily assessable and interpretable functional outcome measure for assessing older adults' health. A recently published scoping review in JGPT highlights its predictive value across multiple health domains, from mental health and mortality to falls and cardiovascular disease. Fast WS (≥ 1.32 m/s) suggests a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, while slow WS (< 0.2 m/s) indicates longer hospital stays. Clinicians can use WS below 1.0 m/s as a "yellow flag" for further evaluation and intervention. #physicaltherapy?#phsyiotherapy #evidencebasedpractice #olderadults #geriatrics

Tiernan, C., et al. (2024). Associations of Usual and Fast Gait Speed With Physical Performance and Balance Confidence in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Implications for Assessment. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 47(4): 192-201??https://lnkd.in/ez693-zQ. A new study underscores the importance of examining fast gait speed as a clinical measure in older adults. Fast gait speed demonstrated stronger correlations with physical performance and balance confidence than usual gait speed. Results showed that fast gait speed was a better predictor of performance in the 6-minute walk test, balance confidence, step execution time, and knee extension strength. The findings suggest that, despite being less commonly measured, fast gait speed should be given more consideration in clinical settings. Its strong associations with critical physical performance measures make it a valuable tool for assessing and improving mobility and fall prevention strategies in older adults. #physicaltherapy?#phsyiotherapy #evidencebasedpractice #olderadults #geriatrics