Research and Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards

Evidence-based practice (EBP) in massage therapy integrates which THREE components?

Answer: Best available research, clinical expertise, and client values/preferences

EBP combines the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and respect for individual client values and preferences.

Which research design is generally considered HIGHEST in the hierarchy of evidence?

Answer: Randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Randomized controlled trials minimize bias through random assignment and are considered the gold standard for evaluating treatment effectiveness.

A systematic review in massage therapy research is BEST described as:

Answer: A comprehensive synthesis of multiple studies on a specific topic

A systematic review systematically identifies, selects, and synthesizes all available research on a defined question to draw evidence-based conclusions.

The term 'placebo effect' in massage research refers to:

Answer: Improvement due to client expectation or belief rather than the specific intervention

The placebo effect is an improvement in outcomes attributable to the patient's expectation of benefit rather than to the specific treatment being studied.

Dr. Tiffany Field is MOST associated with research demonstrating the benefits of massage therapy for:

Answer: Premature infant weight gain and development

Tiffany Field's landmark research at the Touch Research Institute showed that premature infants receiving massage gained weight faster and had improved development outcomes.

A 'peer-reviewed journal' in massage therapy research is one in which:

Answer: Submitted articles are evaluated by experts in the field before publication

Peer review means that submitted manuscripts are critically evaluated by independent experts in the field before being accepted for publication.