Rehabilitation Services Resource Guide

Content Overview

Databases: Select databases and repositories to support evidence-based research.

Core Journals & Other Resources: Core physical therapy & rehabilitation journals, useful medical journals, and guideline producing organizations.

Specialties (starts at Early Mobility): Includes lists of journals, books, professional organizations within the specialty.

Guidelines: List of guideline, practice updates, or consensus statement producing organizations. 

Background or Summary Information

AccessMedicine

Synthesis or Pre Appraised Evidence

The library has created a list of pre-appraised evidence to help you with your search. The list can be found here, as well as on the Physical Therapy Resource Center. Below is a list of databases that will assist you with your initial search.

PEDro

PTNow Clinical Summaries (Requires an APTA membership)

Cochrane Library

TRIP Database

PubMed Clinical Queries

ASHA Evidence Maps

SpeechBITE

SCIRE Professional (Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence)

Clinical Tools

ClinicalKey & ClinicalKey for Nursing are point-of-care clinical information services. They provides access to a unique combination of medical reference books, medical journals, drug information, and practice guidelines.

DynaMedex is a comprehensive clinical reference tool created by combining the disease information from DynaMed with the drug information from Micromedex. This integration is designed to help healthcare professionals make informed, evidence-based decisions quickly and efficiently at the point of care.

UpToDate is an evidence-based point-of-care resource authored by physicians.

Additional Resources

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC): The NARIC web site was developed under a contract from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. NARIC collects and disseminates the results of NIDILRR-funded research.

Stroke Engine: the most current information about interventions and assessment tools used in stroke rehabilitation. Includes evidence-based assessments and interventions. 

Occupational Therapy Journals

Subscribed Journals

American Journal of Occupational Therapy
Journal of Hand Therapy
Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics (Full Text Delay: 1 Year - Put in an ILL request for newer articles)

Open Access Journals

Occupational Therapy International

Other Journals 

Put in an ILL request for articles from these journals at Medical-library@smh.com

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation

Guidelines, Practice Updates, Consensus Statements

American Occupational Therapy Association

New Guidelines

Find the new guidelines, practice updates, or consensus statements here.

Current Guidelines

Erickson, M., Lawrence, M., Lazinski, M., Scott, K., & Martin, R. L. (2026). Hand Pain and Sensory Deficits Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health From APTA Orthopedics and APTA Hand and Upper Extremity Academies of the American Physical Association. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 1–129. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2026.0301

Koc, T. A., Jr, Cibulka, M., Enseki, K. R., Gentile, J. T., MacDonald, C. W., Kollmorgen, R. C., & Martin, R. L. (2025). Hip Pain and Mobility Deficits-Hip Osteoarthritis: Revision 2025. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 55(11), CPG1–CPG31. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2025.0301

Occupational Therapy

Stern, B. Z., Siegel, P., & Hunter, E. G. (2025). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Nonoperative Management of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 79(5), 7905397010.

Wheeler, S., & Acord-Vira, A. (2023). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 77(4), 7704397010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.077401

Clark, G. F., & Kingsley, K. L. (2020). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Early Childhood: Birth-5 Years. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 74(3), 7403397010p1–7403397010p42. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.743001

Cahill, S. M., & Beisbier, S. (2020). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Children and Youth Ages 5-21 Years. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 74(4), 7404397010p1–7404397010p48. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.744001

Patten, K. K., Murthi, K., Onwumere, D. D., Skaletski, E. C., Little, L. M., & Tomchek, S. D. (2024). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Autistic People Across the Lifespan. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 78(3), 7803397010.

Fields, B., & Smallfield, S. (2022). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults With Chronic Conditions. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 76(2), 7602397010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022/762001

Cunningham, R., Uyeshiro Simon, A., & Preissner, K. (2022). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults With Multiple Sclerosis. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 76(5), 7605397010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.050088

Wood, J., Henderson, W., & Foster, E. R. (2022). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for People With Parkinson's Disease. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 76(3), 7603397010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.763001

Hildebrand, M. W., Geller, D., & Proffitt, R. (2023). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults With Stroke. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 77(5), 7705397010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.077501