PEDro user users can ‘view’ records to obtain detailed information about the article, including the abstract, PEDro ratings and links to full-text. They can also ‘select’ records to be added to a list that can then be emailed or exported in EndNote format. We tallied the most frequently viewed and selected records in PEDro during 2018. Some interesting trends were observed.
Of the 20 most accessed records in 2018, 95% were synthesis research (guidelines and reviews). With the high volume of published research in physiotherapy, reading evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews is a fantastic way to keep up to date in your field. 75% of the most accessed records were guidelines.
Low back pain is a significant and highly debated area of practice in physiotherapy. The three most accessed records (averaging 3,000 views each), and 25% of the 20 most accessed records overall, evaluated physiotherapy interventions for low back pain. 90% of the most accessed records were in the area of musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy; with 7/20 regarding spinal pain, 4/20 shoulder dysfunction, and 6/20 lower limb injuries and osteoarthritis. Guidelines for stroke rehabilitation comprised the remaining 10% of the 20 most accessed records.
The 20 most accessed records included one clinical trial. The trial had good methodological quality (scoring 10/10 on the PEDro scale) and evaluated electrophysical agents for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis.
The full list of the 20 most accessed PEDro records during 2018 is available at in the table below.
| Title |
Method |
Number of accesses |
| Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians |
practice guideline |
3,163 |
| National clinical guidelines for non-surgical treatment of patients with recent onset low back pain or lumbar radiculopathy |
practice guideline |
3,086 |
| Low back pain clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health from the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association [with consumer summary] |
practice guideline |
2,816 |
| Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of subacromial pain syndrome |
practice guideline |
2,619 |
| Clinical practice guideline for physical therapy assessment and treatment in patients with nonspecific neck pain |
practice guideline |
2,490 |
| Knee stability and movement coordination impairments: knee ligament sprain |
practice guideline |
2,328 |
| Guideline for the management of knee and hip osteoarthritis (second edition) [with consumer summary] |
practice guideline |
2,226 |
| Evidence-informed primary care management of low back pain |
practice guideline |
2,135 |
| Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews (Cochrane review) [with consumer summary] |
systematic review |
2,128 |
| Manual therapy and exercise for adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) (Cochrane review) [with consumer summary] |
systematic review |
2,028 |
| Evidence-based concepts for prevention of knee and ACL injuries. 2017 guidelines of the ligament committee of the German Knee Society (DKG) |
practice guideline |
1,952 |
| 2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth |
practice guideline |
1,950 |
| Achilles pain, stiffness, and muscle power deficits: midportion Achilles tendinopathy revision 2018 |
practice guideline |
1,874 |
| Low back pain and radicular pain: evaluation and management |
practice guideline |
1,851 |
| Manual therapy and exercise for rotator cuff disease (Cochrane review) [with consumer summary] |
systematic review |
1,776 |
| Surgical versus conservative interventions for treating anterior cruciate ligament injuries (Cochrane review) [with consumer summary] |
systematic review |
1,741 |
| Clinical guidelines for stroke management |
practice guideline |
1,741 |
| Physiotherapy in hip and knee osteoarthritis: development of a practice guideline concerning initial assessment, treatment and evaluation |
practice guideline |
1,689 |
| Does ultrasound therapy add to the effects of exercise and mobilization in frozen shoulder? A pilot randomized double-blind clinical trial |
clinical trial |
1,572 |
| Guidelines for adult stroke rehabilitation and recovery: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association |
practice guideline |
1,512 |
