Subdiscipline
These categories refer to various aspects of physiotherapy. If the area for a particular paper does not fit under any of these, the code “no appropriate value in this field” should be used.
cardiothoracics
includes, but is not restricted to, papers evaluating acute and rehabilitation cardiothoracic interventions or fitness training on those with conditions affecting the cardiothoracic system. This subdiscipline does not include studies of general fitness training among patient populations. Studies of general fitness training for healthy populations are not indexed on PEDro
continence and women’s health
includes, but is not restricted to male and female incontinence and pre- and post-natal interventions for the mother
ergonomics and occupational health
includes, but is not restricted to, interventions based at workplaces or on workers for work-related conditions
gerontology
includes papers where the average age of the study sample is over 60, and papers on conditions which commonly affect older people (eg, arthritis)
musculoskeletal
includes, but is not restricted to, low back pain, rheumatoid disease, entrapment syndromes, neuralgia
neurology
includes, but is not restricted to, lesions of the central and peripheral nervous systems excluding those whose primary presentation is pain or paraesthesia such as carpal tunnel syndrome, neuralgia or sciatica
oncology
includes papers evaluating interventions for health problems due to tumours or cancers
orthopaedics
includes only fractures and intervention before or after orthopaedic surgery (eg, knee replacements, ligament repairs)
paediatrics
includes papers where the average age of the study sample is under 16, and papers on conditions which commonly affect children (eg, cystic fibrosis)
sports
includes papers which specifically mention sports injuries as well as conditions which commonly affect sports people (eg, ligament repairs)
no appropriate value in this field
Body part
These categories refer to the body part being examined. If there is no one body part being examined, or if the diagnostic test is targeted at whole body systems rather than a body part, the code “no appropriate value in this field” should be used.
head or neck
upper arm, shoulder or shoulder girdle
forearm or elbow
hand or wrist
chest (for cardiothoracic studies)
thoracic spine
lumbar spine, SIJ or pelvis
perineum or genito-urinary system
thigh or hip
lower leg or knee
foot or ankle
no appropriate value in this field
Pathology
These categories refer to various pathologies. If the pathology for a particular paper does not fit under any of these, the code “no appropriate value in this field” should be used.
articular
cardiovascular
genito-urinary
muscular
neurological
respiratory
skeletal
no appropriate value in this field
Index test
These categories refer to index tests. If the tests for a particular paper do not fit under any of these, the code “no appropriate value in this field” should be used.
health technology
physical examination
questionnaire
mixed
no appropriate value in this field
Reference test
These categories refer to reference tests. If the tests for a particular paper do not fit under any of these, the code “no appropriate value in this field” should be used.
clinician opinion
health technology
injection
patient opinion
physical examination
questionnaire
review of medical records
surgery
mixed
no appropriate value in this field
