RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Gait analysis is the study of human locomotion. In massage therapy, this observation is part of an assessment process that informs treatment planning. Massage therapy students must apply the theory of gait assessment to simulated patients. At Humber College, the gait assessment module traditionally consists of a textbook reading and a three-hour, in-class session in which students perform gait assessment on each other. In 2015, Humber College acquired a three-dimensional motion capture system. PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate the use of 3D motion capture in a gait assessment module compared to the traditional gait assessment module. PARTICIPANTS: Semester 2 massage therapy students who were enrolled in Massage Theory 2 (n = 38). RESEARCH DESIGN: Quasi-experimental, wait-list comparison study. INTERVENTION: The intervention group participated in an in-class session with a Qualisys motion capture system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcomes included knowledge and application of gait assessment theory as measured by quizzes, and students' satisfaction as measured through a questionnaire. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline and post-module knowledge between both groups (pre-module: p = .46; post-module: p = .63). There was also no difference between groups on the final application question (p = .13). The intervention group enjoyed the in-class session because they could visualize the content, whereas the comparison group enjoyed the interactivity of the session. The intervention group recommended adding the assessment of gait on their classmates to their experience. Both groups noted more time was needed for the gait assessment module. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the gait assessment module combine both the traditional in-class session and the 3D motion capture system.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: An increase in available research has highlighted that knowledge changes over time as theories are challenged and adjusted or dismissed. This is particularly important to healthcare practitioners, including massage therapists, who need to frequently review current research and adjust practice accordingly. However, when research findings related to practice are generated, there is considerable delay in implementation. Few studies measure actual knowledge of current evidence for practice. The objectives of the study reported here were to (a) describe current awareness of evidence for practice among registered massage therapists (RMTs) in Ontario and (b) identify the sources of information RMTs use to inform their awareness of current evidence and the reported importance and frequency of use for each source. METHODS: An online questionnaire-based mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted. Ontario RMTs were invited to participate. This report focuses on the quantitative analysis. RESULTS: In total, 1,762 questionnaires were included. Of seven sources of information provided, respondents rated cumulative professional experience as most important, followed by recent research studies and education. Cumulative professional experience also rated as most frequently used, followed by other RMTs and education. CONCLUSIONS: There was a tendency for respondents to agree with positive statements about MT, or disagree with negative statements, regardless of correctness. The results suggest that RMTs need to improve their awareness of the current evidence for practice. Furthermore, cumulative professional experience was ranked most frequently used. This has the potential to not include the most current research. Improving communication of research findings to RMTs might improve awareness.
