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Grand RoundsWeekly Evidence Brief

Physical Medicine

Edition

30-Second Takeaway

  • Engaging families and care partners with structured roles and communication can potentially improve rehabilitation in long-term care.
  • Single-session education alone does not increase physical activity during cancer therapy.
  • Supervised resistance exercise can improve muscle strength in anorexia nervosa without harming weight restoration.

Week ending May 16, 2026

Five recent rehabilitation-focused studies with direct clinical implications

PT–family engagement in long-term care is underdeveloped but promising

BMC GERIATRICSMay 10, 2026

Scoping review of 9 mostly qualitative studies examined PT engagement with family/care partners in long-term care settings for older adults. Four themes emerged: PTs support family involvement, need for structured communication, misaligned expectations with service capacity, and unclear family roles. Engagement is described as underdeveloped but potentially beneficial for rehabilitation processes and resident health. Implementing clearer role definitions, structured communication, and supportive organisational policies may enable better family–PT collaboration.

Mismatch between physical tests and PROs at RTS did not predict second ACL injury

SPORTS HEALTHMay 12, 2026

Prospective registry of 380 athletes aged 15–40 assessed physical function and PROs at return to sport (RTS) and tracked second ACL injury for 1 year. Overall second-injury rate was 8.9%, highest in the low-physical/high-PROs group at 19.2%, but hazard ratios were not statistically different between groups. Authors conclude mismatches between physical and psychological measures alone do not predict second ACL injury. Clinicians should avoid using only muscle function tests or PROs to clear athletes for unrestricted sport participation.

Single 30-minute education session did not increase physical activity during cancer therapy

JCO ONCOLOGY PRACTICEMay 13, 2026

Randomized trial (n=98) compared standard PA materials versus materials plus one 30-minute face-to-face educational session at therapy onset. At 6 months, total IPAQ scores were maintained in both groups with no significant between-group difference. Only the IPAQ Transport subscale favored control (P = 0.026); fatigue, quality of life, and physical function were similar. A single-session educational add-on appears insufficient; more iterative or tailored approaches may be needed to change behavior.

References

Numbered in order of appearance. Click any reference to view details.

Additional Reads

Optional additional studies from this edition.

Edition context

Clinical signal

  • Do not clear athletes for unrestricted sport based solely on muscle tests or PROs after ACL reconstruction.
  • When implementing family-engagement strategies, define roles and match expectations to therapy capacity.
  • Consider multi-session, tailored interventions to change activity behavior in oncology patients.