PRC Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 3

Question 1

A PRI researcher calculates a Pearson correlation of r = 0.62 between thoracic rotation ROM and a functional outcome score. Which statement best interprets this finding?

Accepted Answer

A moderate-to-strong linear relationship exists with 38.4% shared variance

Answer

The coefficient of determination (r²= 0.384) indicates that 38.4% of variance in one variable is accounted for by the other, while r = 0.62 reflects a moderate-to-strong linear relationship.

Question 2

Which research design would provide the strongest evidence for establishing that a specific PRI inhibition technique causes neuromuscular changes in the iliopsoas?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial with an active control condition

Answer

An RCT with randomization and an active control condition provides the strongest evidence for causation by controlling for confounding and placebo effects.

Question 3

A PRI assessment tool has sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 70% for identifying a right BC pattern. If a patient tests positive, the POST-test probability of truly having a right BC pattern depends on:

Accepted Answer

Pre-test probability (prevalence) combined with the likelihood ratio

Answer

Post-test probability is determined using Bayes' theorem, combining the pre-test probability (prevalence) with the positive likelihood ratio (sensitivity/[1-specificity]).

Question 4

In a PRI outcomes study, researchers control for age, BMI, and pain duration using multiple regression. The purpose of including these covariates is to:

Accepted Answer

Isolate the effect of the PRI intervention by accounting for variables that may confound the relationship

Answer

Covariates in regression models statistically control for variables known to influence the outcome, allowing a cleaner estimate of the intervention effect.

Question 5

A PRI clinical prediction rule (CPR) is described as having a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 8.5 for predicting response to a repositioning intervention. This LR+ indicates:

Accepted Answer

A positive test result generates a large and clinically meaningful shift in probability

Answer

An LR+ of 8.5 generates a large shift in post-test probability (LR+ > 5 is considered large and clinically meaningful per Jaeschke et al.).

(PRC) Postural Restoration Certified Practice Test

(PRC) Postural Restoration Certified Practice Test

PRC Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 3