AMTA Research and Evidence-Based Practice 2

Question 1

Which of the following BEST describes a 'control group' in a massage therapy study?

Accepted Answer

A group that does not receive the experimental treatment, used for comparison

Answer

A control group receives no treatment or a placebo, providing a baseline for comparing outcomes against the experimental group.

Question 2

In research, 'statistically significant' findings mean:

Accepted Answer

The results are unlikely to have occurred by chance alone

Answer

Statistical significance indicates that the observed results are unlikely to be due to chance, though this does not necessarily mean the effect is clinically meaningful.

Question 3

Research showing that massage therapy reduces cortisol levels MOST directly supports its use for:

Accepted Answer

Reducing physiological stress responses

Answer

Cortisol is the primary stress hormone; research demonstrating its reduction following massage supports massage's role in alleviating physiological stress.

Question 4

Which of the following BEST illustrates applying evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Selecting an approach based on current research, clinical experience, and client goals

Answer

Evidence-based practice requires integrating current research evidence with the practitioner's expertise and the individual client's goals and values.

Question 5

A common methodological limitation in massage therapy research is:

Accepted Answer

Difficulty blinding participants to whether they received massage or not

Answer

Because participants typically know whether they received massage, true double-blinding is nearly impossible, making it difficult to fully account for placebo effects.

AMTA - American Massage Therapy Association Practice Test

AMTA - American Massage Therapy Association Practice Test

AMTA Research and Evidence-Based Practice 2