Case Reports: A Meaningful Way for Massage Practice to Inform Research and Education

Practice-induced challenges to massage research and education include those related to disparate training standards, requirements, and expectations across the US, North America, and internationally. These challenges should not overshadow the need for practice to inform research and education, especially in light of the move towards effectiveness research. What remains constantly applicable to massage practitioners of all locations and from all backgrounds are treatment details regarding the techniques used, client/patient characteristics, condition/issue of complaint, provider and client/patient expectations, and outcomes. Case reports provide a venue for this information to be shared across all practitioners, educators, and researchers. While many massage practitioners are not trained in scientific writing, preparing and publishing a case report need not be daunting, especially with writing partners when writing burden can be shared. Writing in isolation can be challenging, even for trained researchers. Perceived practitioner contribution and credit are not reduced when authorship in a manuscript is shared; rather it may be enhanced with an experienced partner

Adaptation of the CARE Guidelines for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Publications: Efforts To Improve the Impact of Case Reports

Case reports provide the foundation of practice-based evidence for therapeutic massage and bodywork (TMB), as well as many other health-related fields. To improve the consistency of information contained in case reports, the CARE (CAse REport) Group developed and published a set of guidelines for the medical community to facilitate systematic data collection (http://www.care-statement.org/#). Because of the differences between the practice of medicine and TMB, modifying some sections of the CARE guidelines is necessary to make them compatible with TMB case reports. Accordingly, the objectives of this article are to present the CARE guidelines, apply each section of the guidelines to TMB practice and reporting with suggested adaptations, and highlight concerns, new ideas, and other resources for potential authors of TMB case reports. The primary sections of the CARE guidelines adapted for TMB case reports are diagnostic assessment, follow-up and outcomes, and therapeutic intervention. Specifically, because diagnosis falls outside of the scope of most TMB practitioners, suggestions are made as to how diagnoses made by other health care providers should be included in the context of a TMB case report. Additionally, two new aspects of the case presentation section are recommended: a) assessment measures, which outline and describe the outcome measures on which the case report will focus, and b) a description of the TMB provider (i.e., scope of practice, practice environment, experience level, training, credentialing, and/or expertise) as part of the intervention description. This article culminates with practical resources for TMB practitioners writing case reports, including a TMB Case Report Template—a single document that TMB practitioners can use to guide his or her process of writing a case report. Once the template is adopted by authors of TMB case reports, future efforts can explore the impact on the quality and quantity of case reports and how they impact TMB practice, research, education and, ultimately, the clients

A Pragmatic-Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary (PRECIS) Examination of a Recent Study of Massage and Relaxation Therapy Effectiveness

Purpose: This presentation will discuss the pragmatic methodological approach of a recently completed NIH sponsored study of clinical massage therapy (CMT) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). While CMT and PMR have demonstrated efficacy for chronic low back pain (CLBP), their effectiveness in the real world of health care practice is only now being evaluated. Pragmatic studies have been recommended by NIH and the Institute of Medicine to address effectiveness questions. Methods: Critical discussion among 2 key study team members and 2 outside reviewers analyzed the study protocol for accordance with pragmatic vs. explanatory characteristics developed in the PRECIS tool by Thorpe et al. (2009). Scores for each of 10 domains were used to create an overall visual representation of the extent to which this study reflects a pragmatic research approach. Results: The visual wagon wheel reflecting the current study's “standing” on the Thorpe model will be presented. The study most strongly reflected a pragmatic approach in the following domains: Eligibility Criteria, Flexibility of Experimental Intervention, Practitioner Expertise, Outcomes, and Participant Compliance. Areas that the current study neutrally reflected a pragmatic approach or reflects more of an explanatory approach included Follow-up Intensity, Analysis of the Primary Outcome, and Practitioner Adherence. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first CAM related research trail that has retrospectively critiqued its study design utilizing the PRECIS tool. CAM investigators may utilize this self-critique and the PRECIS tool to develop study designs and prospectively critique the extent to which pragmatic approaches apply. Audience participants will gain understanding of methodologies and techniques of pragmatic studies

Integrating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Model into Massage Therapy Research, Education, and Practice

Without an increase in clearly defined and clinically significant outcomes research in massage therapy (MT), the practice is in jeopardy of remaining on the fringes of accepted and utilized therapeutic care. This reality will slow the integration of MT into routine preventive, rehabilitative, curative, and supportive care. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) developed by the World Health Organization is a comprehensive model of functioning and disability that provides a universal taxonomy of human functioning that is recognized globally. Integration of the ICF model into MT research, education, and practice would provide a foundation for a common language, particularly in regard to examining outcomes of MT