Welcome to the Journal of Women's & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (JWPHPT)! The JWPHPT editorial team is proud to introduce our readership to this latest evolution in the journal for the Academy of Pelvic Health. It has been quite a journey to get here. Progress takes time and effort, and we hope you appreciate our efforts to advance JWPHPT.
We all learned that the foundation of a profession requires authentication of a group's unique knowledge base with scientifically valid research. Creating this research is an essential first step. The rigors of peer review ensure value, but dissemination through journal publication brings research into public discourse for even greater examination. Producing a journal is an awesome job, but no one does it alone. I am privileged to work with a dedicated team of editors, reviewers, and publishers in partnership with the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy to deliver this essential resource. In recognition of this valuable partnership between JWPHPT and the Academy of Pelvic Health, I have asked Heather Jeffcoat, PT, DPT, President of the Academy of Pelvic Health, and Christine Cabelka, PT, PhD, MA, Director of Research for the Academy of Pelvic Health, for their input on the journal's evolution. Here is their collaborative response to a few key questions.
Q: What do you want the journal readers to know about the journal name change?
A: In 2019, the membership of the Section of Women's Health voted to adopt a name change to the Academy of Pelvic Health. For a variety of reasons, the timing wasn't ideal to also adopt a name change for the journal. The summer of 2022 provided the perfect timing to pursue this change. In collaboration between the Journal Editorial Board and the Academy Board of Directors, the new journal name was determined. We are so excited about the new name, Journal of Women's & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. We strongly felt that keeping "Women's" first gives recognition to the rich history of not only the journal but the history of the Academy as well. Adding the "Pelvic" provides researchers and readers with added context as to the relevant content within the journal.
Q: What do you want to share regarding the change in delivery of the journal?
A: Over the past few years we have seen many large medical and physical therapy journals move to an online-only delivery. The Academy Board of Directors are charged with fiscal responsibility for the Academy and with the continuing rise in print publication costs felt the move to online was the best decision. Over the past few years, the editorial team for the journal has worked incredibly hard to improve the journal, both in journal operations and in the quality of manuscripts being published. Their efforts have resulted in a high-quality journal with broad readership, nationally and internationally. The Academy wants to recognize that their continued dedication to put forth the highest-quality publication has resulted in a significant boost to the Academy and the journal. The added benefit of moving online-only is the ability to increase the number of pages per issue. These additional pages open the door for publishing more research articles per year. We are so excited about this opportunity for our researchers to publish and our readers to access more research.
Q: What opportunities does the Academy have for research involvement?
A: The Academy offers a $10 000 research grant, awarded annually. Applications are open for 2023 and will close on April 1, 2023. We are also looking for volunteers to help review the research abstracts that have been submitted for the APTA CSM meetings. This is a great way to gain experience evaluating research and build skills that would translate to reviewing manuscripts for the Journal. The Academy will also be seeking volunteers for a variety of positions related to our research initiatives and encourage anyone with any interest in research to apply. We want to make sure that our members understand they don't need to be conducting research to become involved.
Many thanks to Heather and Christine for their kind words and support. There are so many wonderful possible ways to contribute and opportunities for mentorship. I echo their encouragement to join the Academy's flourishing research community.
At the Journal, we see the name and format change as part of our continual effort to expand our reach and make women's and pelvic health physical therapy research accessible to greater health community. We welcome our readership to our new name and format.
On a personal note, the JWPHPT Editorial Team would like to extend our sincerest thanks to Andrea Allison-Williams, Senior Publisher at Wolters Kluwer, who retired this past December. Andrea has been a tremendous mentor supplying much-needed guidance and assistance. She has taught me how to be an editor and is responsible for much of this journal's success. Andrea, we all will miss you. Much happiness in your future endeavors.
Cynthia Chiarello, PT, PhD
Editor-in-Chief
Highlights in this Issue:
I am pleased to present such a wide variety of content in this inaugural issue of the Journal of Women's & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. Dr Tremback-Ball and colleagues conducted a systematic review clarifying the role of physical therapy intervention for those with dysmenorrhea. In postmenopausal women, Dr Fricke and colleagues examined the impact of a 12-week mini-trampoline exercise program on bone health and pelvic floor muscle function. Dr Segraves and colleagues share their insights into the need for physical and occupational therapy obstetric rehabilitation immediately postpartum to optimize recovery, screen for further specialist referral, and educate maternal care providers. Dr Tombers and colleagues conducted a systematic review to examine the effect of exercise on reducing lumbopelvic pain intensity during pregnancy. Dr Uzelpasaci and colleagues present a case report on a male patient with colostomy in which pelvic floor muscle exercise and extracorporeal magnetic innervation were used to improve outcomes.