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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jenny LiddleORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2025 The Author(s). Musculoskeletal Care published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Introduction: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) international management guidelines advocate patient education and individualised exercises but lack evidence and physiotherapy practice for PMR is unknown. PMR is typically treated with glucocorticoids, but side effects are frequent and concerning to patients. This study investigated UK physiotherapy practice in PMR. Method: Physiotherapists recruited from UK rheumatology and physiotherapy professional networks and university alumni were invited to complete a postal or online questionnaire. Topics included experiences of managing PMR, perceived role and value of physiotherapy in PMR, assessment and management priorities and physiotherapists' education about PMR. Results were summarised using descriptive statistics. Results: 4288 invitations to participate were sent, and 1072 (25%) responses were received. Physiotherapy referrals for PMR were infrequent; 5.8% of respondents had treated ≥ 10 patients in the previous year. 80% of respondents advocated a physiotherapy role for PMR. 38% reported receiving some pre-registration education about PMR within their qualifying physiotherapy programme. Establishing patients' knowledge and understanding of PMR, pain levels, and ability to undertake activities of daily living were physiotherapists' assessment priorities. 90% of respondents promoted self-management approaches, including pacing and activity modification. Prioritising upper limbs, 89% prescribed individualised graded exercises to improve movement, muscle strength and activities of daily living function. Conclusion: A positive role for physiotherapy was reported for some people with PMR. Exercise, education and advice to improve daily functioning may be useful adjuncts to glucocorticoids. The limited PMR education for UK physiotherapists warrants attention. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy approaches for PMR.
Author(s): O'Brien AV, Muller S, Liddle J, Thomas MJ, Mallen CD
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Musculoskeletal Care
Year: 2025
Volume: 23
Issue: 3
Print publication date: 01/09/2025
Online publication date: 06/07/2025
Acceptance date: 24/06/2025
Date deposited: 21/07/2025
ISSN (print): 1478-2189
ISSN (electronic): 1557-0681
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.70155
DOI: 10.1002/msc.70155
Data Access Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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