Translating Physical Therapy Interventions From Bench to Bedside: The Value of Case Studies and Published Protocols

Dunning, Kari PT, PhD

Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy: December 2010 – Volume 34 – Issue 4 – p 214-215doi: 10.1097/NPT.0b013e1381fd4d95 

The ability to translate research to the clinic is a critical step in evidence-based practice to provide optimum care for our clients. The translation of research intervention protocols to the clinic is often challenging for many reasons. Results of research studies with narrow inclusion criteria may not generalize to results observed in the wider range of clinical presentation among clients with whom physical therapists work. The intervention protocol may not be feasible in the clinical setting (eg, expensive equipment, number of treatment hours, duration of sessions). Often times, the research article does not provide sufficient detail for the therapist to duplicate the intervention protocol in the clinic. The later is the unique contribution of this case study by Hui-Chan and Ng,2 in this issue—it serves to provide details of a research treatment protocol to facilitate translation to the clinic.

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