Persistent post traumatic headache (PPTH) or concussion is a significant United States military problem and pharmacological treatment is often ineffective. Headache is commonly migraine-like with associated autonomic nervous system (ANS) symptoms. Injury to the brain and neck likely co-occur during concussion and recent research suggests resulting upper cervical hypermobility may trigger an ANS response and PPTH. A promising rehabilitation program (SPINEPASS) has been developed, directed towards dysfunction of the upper cervical region, myodural bridges, and changes throughout the entire spine affecting the dura.

While total knee replacement (TKR) is the definitive treatment for knee osteoarthritis, physical activity remains unchanged after surgery.

In patients who are critically ill, functional dependence and muscle weakness may be influenced by side effects related to the timing of out-of-bed mobilization, but there is a knowledge gap regarding the impact of exercise prescriptions in specific intensive care unit (ICU) populations.

Advanced Heart failure (HF) is a life-limiting condition that frequently necessitates hospitalization and subsequent post-acute rehabilitation for older adults. Despite high rates of post-acute care utilization, a notable gap exists in understanding the experiences of both patients and their care partners regarding rehabilitation.

Chronic plantar heel pain is common and often recalcitrant yet understanding of modifiable risk factors that influence its trajectory of recovery is limited.

Health professions education programs emphasize learning specialized knowledge that will be needed by the health care provider long after the initial exposure. Most laboratory investigations into memory have little applicability to the material learned in health professions education, and evidence is mixed on which material is retained and for how long.

The trunk and lower extremities are the most common locations for injury in the military, but they are managed as isolated regions. This study suggests these regions are connected, and utilization of therapeutic exercise is protective of lower extremity injury following low-back-pain diagnosis.

Virtual reality (VR) has been introduced to stroke rehabilitation along with omnidirectional (360°) treadmills to promote improvements in walking and balance.

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) frequently affects military personnel, caused by the physical demands of duty-related training. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) can guide PFP management, yet physical therapist practice patterns vary and often exclude CPG-recommended, evidence-based interventions.

Current rehabilitative approaches for the recovery of upper (UE) and lower extremity (LE) function following stroke involve costly time- and personnel-intensive 1-on-1 motor learning-based training. Preliminary data in chronic stroke indicate facilitated aerobic exercise (FE), where volitional LE movements are mechanically supplemented, enhances UE motor recovery associated with task-based practice.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease causing declines in muscular strength that affect respiratory function and functional independence. Although physical therapist interventions have been studied in ALS, their efficacy and evidence quality have not been systematically assessed across disease stages.

Transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse (TNBGD) individuals experience significant inequities in health, access to health care, and participation in physical activity for a myriad of reasons, including gender dysphoria and the physical effects of gender-affirming practices like chest binding. Physical therapists have the requisite clinical skills to evaluate and treat these individuals, potentially enhancing overall health and wellness while reducing barriers to physical activity. Binding is a common practice for many TNBGD individuals, often performed to achieve improved congruence between an outward physical appearance and one's gender identity. Given the typical frequency and duration of binding, negative binding-related symptoms such as thoracic or rib pain, shortness of breath, and postural changes may occur. Physical therapists can be the provider of choice in minimizing the symptom burden and adverse effects of binding, but as a profession, we must improve inclusive care practices, deepen our understanding of the physiologic impacts of binding, and implement culturally responsive care plans tailored to the needs of TNBGD patients. Increased access to inclusive physical rehabilitation may improve lifelong health, promote physical activity, and mitigate health inequities in this population. Clinicians can purposefully advertise their preparedness and willingness to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) patients and work to understand and address disparities in health care access and quality. As a profession, we must continue to evolve to meet the needs of society, especially those who face systemic barriers and marginalization.

Older adults and those with low back pain (LBP) are at increased risk of research-related adverse events (AEs); yet, Cochrane reviews show AE under-reporting in rehabilitation trials.

The physical therapy profession is being called to adopt a competency-based education (CBE) model, following the lead of other health professions. A key element of CBE is workplace-based assessment, in which clinicians evaluate learners' readiness to perform essential clinical tasks through entrustable professional activities (EPAs). Although a common set of EPAs exist for the profession, none currently guide assessment and learning in specialty areas like pain.

Cerebral palsy is a prevalent childhood motor disability which necessitates frequent outpatient physical therapy. Medical appointments can be time-consuming and burdensome for families and attendance rates for outpatient pediatric physical therapist visits are seldom reported.

While health systems science (HSS) is now recognized as a foundational pillar in medical education, the profession of physical therapy has yet to fully integrate this unifying framework into its educational models. Health systems science offers a structured lens through which the profession can align its long-standing values such as patient-centered care, equity, and interprofessional collaboration, with the demands of a health care system that is complex, fragmented, and driven by accountability, data, and value. Without explicit incorporation of HSS into Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curricula, the profession may have a diminished voice in critical conversations around health care equity, health system innovation, policy reform, and care redesign. This perspective presents an example from the University of Miami's DPT program, where HSS was systematically embedded across the curriculum using Kern's 6-step model for curriculum development. The process included comprehensive content mapping and intentional faculty development to promote a shared understanding of systems thinking and its relevance to physical therapist practice. As a result, DPT students are now engaged in learning that situates their clinical decision making within the broader structures, policies, and processes that shape patient outcomes at both individual and population levels. Health systems science enables physical therapists to move beyond implicit alignment with health system goals to active participation in advancing them. A physical therapist educated in HSS is positioned to contribute to population health by designing community-based interventions, participating in cross-sector partnerships, addressing social determinants of health, and applying data to reduce disparities in function and access. The framework also supports engagement in value-based care delivery, quality improvement initiatives, health informatics, and health policy development; areas central to the sustainability and evolution of health care. To remain relevant and impactful, this perspective offers a call to action for physical therapist educators to integrate HSS as a core component of professional formation and practice readiness.

Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is a rare tauopathy, with a complex pathophysiology that usually includes neuroinflammation. Parkinsonism, cognitive impairments, and sleep disturbances are common in CBS, although alterations in sleep architecture remain poorly characterized. Regular exercise has been recommended in CBS to manage gait dysfunction, balance issues, and cognitive decline. However, the effects of regular exercise on sleep quality, sleep architecture, and systemic inflammation in CBS remain unclear.

New care models promoting early access to physical therapy by reducing or eliminating copays are emerging. Few studies have compared health care use in these programs to other care pathways across musculoskeletal conditions.

While best practice guidelines recommend intensive rehabilitation for post-stroke walking recovery, knowledge of real-world implementation factors is limited.