Call for Abstracts for Presentation at the PPTA Annual Conference

The PPTA Research Committee invites abstracts for Research, Special Interest and Case Reports for presentation at theAnnual Conference (Seven Springs, PA) October 23-October 25, 2015.These abstracts will be accepted for platform and poster presentations.Abstracts which have been submitted or presented at other conferences may be presented at the Chapter conference. Awards will be given for the best research abstract and best case reports.

The closing date for the submission of abstracts is July31, 2015. Use electronic mail and send abstract information as described below to:

Colleen Chancler, PPTA Practice and Research Committee at

Submission Instructions:

  1. Email one file with the complete abstract with all identifying information as outlined below. This file title should include theauthor’s last name.
  1. Also email one file with complete abstract with NO identifying information. This file title should only refer to abstract title.
  1. When email is sent to above contact, subject heading should include: PPTA Abstract Submission. Within the text of the email, include primary contact name, mailing address, preferred phone contact number, and email address. Note: Students should use a permanent address, not a school address.
  1. The submitting author must be the presenting author. Correspondence will be with the presenting author only. The presenting author does not have to be the first named author listed on the abstract.

Format Instructions:

  • Typed, double spaced, 11 point font (preferably Ariel or Times New Roman) on one 8½” x 11” page with a 1” margin on all sides. Limit the word count to 500 words not including title and authors.
  • Identifying information must be single-spaced in the 1” top margin and include:

1) Title in all CAPITALIZED LETTERS

2) Name(s) of the author(s) with the presenter’s name underlined

3) Place where the work was completed

4) Address of the presenter (enclosed in parentheses)

5) Acknowledgement of any financial support for the work being presented

  • In the lower left margin, indicate the email address of the presenter.
  • In the lower right margin, indicate the category of your abstract (Research, Special Interest or Case Report)and the preferred mode of presentation (Platform or Poster)

Category Descriptions

Research reports are presentations of original scientific data collected by the authors. Submissions with pending results will not be accepted. Any established research approach, design or method will be welcomed.Abstract format for research abstracts:Purpose/Hypothesis, Materials/Methods, Results, Conclusions, Clinical Relevance.

Special interest reports include presentations of new services, programs or theories and descriptions of innovative ways in which established methods have been adapted to meet the needs of physical therapy practice, management, education or policy. Reports concerned with the organization, regulation or management of physical therapy services, education, research development and service delivery will be considered in this category. Abstract format forspecial interest reports: Purpose, Relevance, Description of project/initiative/topic, Evaluation or Relevance, Conclusion/Implications

Case report abstracts include the application of physical therapy examination or interventions to improve or document patient outcomes. Small subject sets or case series may be included in this category.Abstract format for case report abstracts: Background and Purpose, Case Description, Outcomes, Discussion (includes Clinical Relevance)

Presentation Formats

Research, Special Interest and Case Reports may be made in one of the following formats:

  • Platform Presentation:A platform presentation is a 12-minute oral presentation of a paper to a seated audience followed by 3 minutes of question time, moderated by a chair.
  • Poster Presentation:Posters are reports summarizing information using brief written statements and graphic materials, such as graphs, charts, figures and photographs mounted on a poster board, the dimensions of which must not exceed the allocated space per poster (the size/type board will be provided at the time of acceptance). Presenters will be assigned a specific time when they will be at their poster for discussion with conference participants.

Platform and poster presentations are considered by the PPTA Research Committee to be of equal standing and judged by the same standards.

Selection Criteria

The following selection criteria will be used to review research abstract:

  • Adherence to the prescribed formatting
  • Abstract written clearly and concisely
  • Title clearly describes the abstract
  • A clear purpose is stated
  • Relevance to the practice of physical therapy
  • Context within current evidence base presented
  • Method/approach applied appropriate to aims
  • Evaluation/analysis and results appropriately applied and interpreted
  • Strengths and weaknesses of work highlighted
  • Relevance and implications to physical therapy clearly expressed
  • Suggestions for further work made
  • Of interest to audience

All submitted abstracts will go through a blind peer-review process carried out by the PPTA Research Committee reviewers.

Abstracts will be reviewed using specific criteria developed for each of the research, special interest and case report categories. Selection will be based on the abstract’s conformance to the stated criteria and standard of acceptance.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome no later than Sept 15th, 2015.

General Information
  1. In keeping with PPTA’s policy, honorarium, fee or payment of expenses will not be provided for presenters. Conference registration is required on the day of presentation. Only individuals registering for the conference may receive continuing education credit for attending approved PPTA educational sessions.
  2. Abstracts should address the current evidence, where it exists, the need for further research, and areas of controversy in the literature. Any reference to personal experience or hypotheses should be clearly labeled as such.
  3. All presentations must adhere to the use of “people-first” language. A person must not be referred to by disability or condition, and terms that could be considered biasing or discriminatory in any way should be removed (e.g. “person with a stroke” instead of “stroke patients”).
  4. Any source of funding or support for the work being presented should be acknowledged.
  5. Presenters are responsible for providing all copyright permissions and securing appropriate ethics review.
  6. PowerPoint presentation will be the primary resource available for all presentations except posters.
  7. All presentation rooms provide the following standard equipment: computer, projector, screen and microphone.
  8. Poster presenters should bring supplies for mounting their posters.
  9. Presenters SHOULD NOT use these sessions for marketing opportunities for new products, equipment or organizations, nor to use the presentation time to refute or denigrate competitors’ products.
  10. All decisions of the PPTA Practice and Research Committee are final.