Moving Forward Together. Part 3: Strengthening Physical Therapy Research for Indigenous Peoples’ Musculoskeletal Health

The Moving Forward Together series is a collective effort to inform, guide and inspire musculoskeletal physical therapists to (a) bring Indigenous health to the forefront of their work in clinical practice, research and education, and (b) to strengthen their roles in allyship and advocacy for Indigenous communities. Here, we explore what research can contribute to improving the musculoskeletal health of Indigenous Peoples. Our group—comprising Indigenous clinicians and/or academics from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Fiji—collaborated to reflect on current initiatives, explore future directions and suggest ways for physical therapy researchers, research organisations and systems can contribute to positive change within Indigenous musculoskeletal research. We illustrate how strengths-based, Indigenous-led approaches that are based on sound intentions, processes and practices can drive positive outcomes for Indigenous Peoples with musculoskeletal conditions, and potentially the wider community.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
Published
2026-02-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2026.13751
Primary Topic
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Moving Forward Together. Part 3: Strengthening Physical Therapy Research for Indigenous Peoples’ Musculoskeletal Health

Samantha Bunzli, Blair Dixon, Jonathan Bullen, Brooke Conley et al.
Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation
article

Moving Forward Together. Part 3: Strengthening Physical Therapy Research for Indigenous Peoples’ Musculoskeletal Health

Samantha Bunzli, Blair Dixon, Jonathan Bullen, Brooke Conley, Ivan B. Lin, Cheryl M. Barnabe, Sheree Tikao-Harkess, Josifini N. Tuiloma, Jane Linton
article en

Abstract

The Moving Forward Together series is a collective effort to inform, guide and inspire musculoskeletal physical therapists to (a) bring Indigenous health to the forefront of their work in clinical practice, research and education, and (b) to strengthen their roles in allyship and advocacy for Indigenous communities. Here, we explore what research can contribute to improving the musculoskeletal health of Indigenous Peoples. Our group—comprising Indigenous clinicians and/or academics from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Fiji—collaborated to reflect on current initiatives, explore future directions and suggest ways for physical therapy researchers, research organisations and systems can contribute to positive change within Indigenous musculoskeletal research. We illustrate how strengths-based, Indigenous-led approaches that are based on sound intentions, processes and practices can drive positive outcomes for Indigenous Peoples with musculoskeletal conditions, and potentially the wider community.

Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
Griffith University (AU), The University of Sydney (AU), New South Wales Department of Health (AU), The University of Melbourne (AU), The Kids Research Institute Australia (AU), The University of Western Australia (AU), Curtin University (AU), Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (AU), Colonial War Memorial Hospital (FJ), University of Fiji (FJ), Science Wares (United States) (US), Tharawal Aboriginal (AU), Milieux environnementaux, transferts et interactions dans les hydrosystèmes et les sols (FR), Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences (US), Guyra Paraguay (PY), Northern Sydney Local Health District (AU), Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute (CA), Australian Physiotherapy Association (AU), Fiji National University (FJ), University of Otago (NZ)
Openalex Percentile: Top 66%
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation
DOISourceOpenAlex
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