Physical Therapy News and Research

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Stopping GLP-1 treatment linked to increase in risk of major cardiovascular events

Following a rapid increase in popularity of GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight loss, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, approximately one in eight U.S. adults now take these medications, which also provide cardiovascular benefits.

18 Mar 2026

Breakfast, exercise, and sleep linked to better mental resilience

Do you ever feel mentally stuck, like you can't cope when a stressful situation hits? A healthy breakfast, exercise, and a good night's sleep might be just what you need to build psychological flexibility, and new research from Binghamton University shows why that matters.

17 Mar 2026

Long-term study reveals lifelong challenges for children with single-ventricle heart disease

Children born with single‑ventricle heart disease, a rare and serious heart defect, often undergo multiple surgeries in their first years of life.

11 Mar 2026

Post amputation pain differs with movement and prosthetic type

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz have identified a critical gap in how post-amputation pain is evaluated and treated.

6 Mar 2026

As ICE moved in, Minnesotans set up a shadow medical system. It’s a lesson for other cities.

Gabi has big brown eyes, pigtails, and a genetic condition that makes her bones brittle. They fracture easily, leaving the 2-year-old in such pain that her mother quit her job cleaning offices to stay home and cradle her in the one-bedroom apartment they share with six relatives.

5 Mar 2026

GLP-1 drugs may be effective at treating and preventing substance use disorders

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis show in a new study that GLP-1 medications may be effective at treating and preventing substance use disorders across all major addictive substances studied, suggesting these drugs target a common biological pathway underlying addiction.

4 Mar 2026

Solving the mystery of a year-long pain crisis

Taffy Hopkins, 73, was in debilitating pain for a year, leaving her bedridden. The Palm Beach resident had been told she was simply experiencing migraines, but the migraine medications did not work and left her suffering, with no answers in sight. After seeking care at NYU Langone Medical Associates—West Palm Beach, 1515 North Flagler Drive, she finally received a diagnosis—and relief.

26 Feb 2026

Misdiagnosed Parkinson's patient regains life after NPH treatment

At age 66, Richard "Dick" Nash first suspected something might be wrong when he participated in a Dallas walk for juvenile diabetes in honor of his granddaughter.

26 Feb 2026

Disrupted lymphatic vessels may drive chronic organ transplant rejection

Despite advances in the field of organ transplantation, long-term organ rejection that can become apparent a decade or more after a heart or lung transplant remains a common problem for patients.

25 Feb 2026

Hip exoskeleton reduces walking effort in stroke survivors

A leading cause of disability in the United States is hemiparesis, a condition where impaired motor control, muscle weakness, and spasticity affect one side of the body.

24 Feb 2026

WashU Medicine receives 80 million to study exceptional longevity

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received an $80 million grant to continue research into the mysteries of exceptional longevity.

23 Feb 2026

Physical function metrics improve mortality prediction in elderly heart failure patients

Current models of mortality risk after heart failure (HF) rely primarily on cardiac-specific clinical variables and may underestimate risk in elderly East Asian patients.

20 Feb 2026

Single blood test predicts onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms years ahead

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a method to predict when someone is likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer's disease using a single blood test.

19 Feb 2026

Review: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of harlequin ichthyosis

Harlequin ichthyosis (HI) is a rare, severe genetic skin disorder caused by ABCA12 mutations, leading to defective lipid transport and loss of skin barrier function.

17 Feb 2026

Survey: 76% of surgical patients don't complete physical therapy homework, leading to stalled recoveries

Physical therapy is a key step on the path to recovery after injuries or certain surgical procedures. A new survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center shows 3 out of 4 (76%) patients don't complete their physical therapy homework, leading to stalled recoveries and potential surgical setbacks.

16 Feb 2026

Fall prevention programs in emergency departments improve safety for seniors after discharge

Falls are one of the most common reasons older adults are treated in the emergency department, and many patients are discharged home the same day.

10 Feb 2026

High-dose motor therapy improves outcomes after perinatal stroke

In infants and toddlers who had a stroke before birth or as a newborn (28 days or younger), a treatment that combined restricting the use of the stronger arm with intensive task-oriented physical therapy led to improved function and skill gained on the weak side compared to standard care, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

7 Feb 2026

Early biomarkers predict infections after breast reconstruction surgery

In the U.S., one in eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, and about half of them will have mastectomies.

5 Feb 2026

Brain network discovery opens new path for Parkinson’s treatment

Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder affecting more than 1 million people in the U.S. and more than 10 million globally, is characterized by debilitating symptoms such as tremors, movement difficulties, sleep disturbances and cognitive impairments.

4 Feb 2026

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound shows promise for ovarian function restoration

Announcing a new article publication for BIO Integration journal. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by premature depletion of ovarian follicles, and resulting in ovarian failure and decreased fertility.

3 Feb 2026