To celebrate PEDro’s 25th birthday we have identified the five most important randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy published in the years 2019-2024, to add to PEDro Top 20 trials. The trials were nominated by PEDro users, and judged by an independent panel of international trialists judged the nominations received.

We are excited to announce the PEDro Top 25 Trials! These ground-breaking trials are from a broad cross-section of physiotherapy practice. The trials answer important clinical questions that will change the way people are treated for a variety of conditions seen by physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals. All of them mark important milestones in the evolution of physiotherapy treatment.

The trials are listed below in no particular order:

Kent P, et al. Cognitive functional therapy with or without movement sensor biofeedback versus usual care for chronic, disabling low back pain (RESTORE): a randomised, controlled, three-arm, parallel group, phase 3, clinical trial. Lancet. 2023;401(10391):1866-1877. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00441-5.

Dumoulin C, et al. Group-based vs individual pelvic floor muscle training to treat urinary incontinence in older women: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2020;180(10):1284-1293. DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.2993.

Cox NS, et al. Telerehabilitation for chronic respiratory disease: a randomised controlled equivalence trial. Thorax. 2022;77(7):643-651. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2021-216934.

Hinman RS, et al. Telerehabilitation consultations with a physiotherapist for chronic knee pain are not inferior to traditional in-person care: the PEAK non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2024; 403(10433):1267-78. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02630-2.

Lamb SE, et al. Screening and intervention to prevent falls and fractures in older people. N Eng J Med. 2020; 383:1848-1859. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001500.

You will hear more about these trials over the coming months.

Congratulations to the teams who produced the PEDro Top 25 Trials. Your contributions to physiotherapy are highly valued and appreciated. PEDro would also like to thank all the users who nominated trials and those who served on the independent judging panel.