Allied Health Discipline
Evidence-Based Practice for
Physiotherapy in Australia
Physiotherapy in Australia is regulated by AHPRA under the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. The evidence base for physiotherapy practice is among the strongest in allied health, with thousands of randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews published annually across musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory, and paediatric domains. OpenBook Clinical searches PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, and Australian clinical guidelines simultaneously, returning NHMRC-graded evidence within seconds.
Key Clinical Conditions
- Low back pain and lumbar spine disorders
- Knee osteoarthritis and post-surgical rehabilitation
- Rotator cuff pathology and shoulder dysfunction
- Stroke rehabilitation and neurological physiotherapy
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
- Cervical radiculopathy and neck pain
- Hip fracture rehabilitation in older adults
Key Assessment Tools
- Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) — lumbar function
- Berg Balance Scale (BBS) — fall risk and balance
- Timed Up and Go (TUG) — functional mobility
- Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) — pain intensity
Databases Searched
- PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database)
- Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group
- PubMed / MEDLINE
- NHMRC Clinical Practice Guidelines
Australian Guidelines
- NHMRC Management of Low Back Pain in Adults (2022)
- Osteoarthritis of the Knee Clinical Care Standard — ACSQHC
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care — Stroke Clinical Care Standard
- Lung Foundation Australia COPD-X Guidelines
Ready to search the Physiotherapy evidence base?
OpenBook Clinical searches 35 million papers across PubMed, Cochrane, and Australian guidelines. AI-synthesised summaries. Evidence graded by quality. Free to try.