Call for Abstracts for Research Presentations
Example 1. Clinical Study Abstract for FPTA Research Presentation
Title: Preference, equipoise and expectations in conservative management of pain
Background and Purpose: Previous work suggests patient expectations for complete relief of symptoms from treatment result in better long-term outcomes. Less studied is the influence that the preference of the provider and patient for one type of treatment approach or another. We examined effects of provider and patient preferences on outcome.
Methods: After giving informed consent, 130 participants received one of three interventions: manipulation (SMT), mobilization (MOB), or therapeutic touch (TT), after induction of back pain using exercise. Pre- intervention, participants rated pain, intervention preference and expected pain post-intervention. Three licensed professionals (2 PT, 1 DC) provided the interventions and indicated their preference for any intervention. Variables were created representing when patient or provider preferences matched the interventions received or provided. Pain outcomes were dichotomized based on whether change in pain matched pre- intervention expected change in pain. Unadjusted analyses were performed with significant results included in multivariate logistic regression.
Results: Most participants had no preference for intervention (41%), followed by TT (31%), MOB (19%), and SMT (8%). One provider had ‘no strong preference’ for treatment ( i . e . equipoise) and the other providers both indicated preference for SMT. 61 participants met expectations for pain relief. No differences were noted based on intervention (x2=4.2, p=0.25). 79 participants received an intervention matched to their preference. There was a difference in meeting expected pain relief based on matching (x2=4.1, p=0.042). There was an association between the providers’ preferences and participants meeting expectations (x2=9.4, p=0.002). In the multivariate model provider equipoise (p=0.015) and participants matched to their preference (p=0.043) were significant predictors.
Discussion and Conclusions: Matching interventions to patient preferences improved rates of meeting patients’ expectations for relief with treatment. Our findings match other studies that suggest provider equipoise affects outcome from conservative interventions. Combined these results have significance for both clinical practice and research into the efficacy and effectiveness of manual therapy interventions for pain.
Example 2. Clinical Case Study Abstract for FPTA Research Presentation
Title: A description of short-term outcomes of three patients undergoing acute care treatment for lower extremity sarcomas.
Background and Purpose: Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that arises from mesenchymal cells. Medical treatment for sarcomas can lead to numerous soft tissue, physical, and functional limitations. Currently there is a lack of literature describing outcomes of conservative rehabilitation for lower extremity sarcomas. The purpose of this case series is to describe the short-term outcomes related to pain catastrophizing, cancer related fatigue, and perceived health of three patients undergoing treatment at a cancer hospital for sarcomas of the proximal lower extremity.
Methods: Three male patients with proximal lower extremity sarcomas undergoing care at an acute care cancer hospital. Patients were evaluated and treated by a physical therapist and student physical therapist during admission. Patients completed self-report outcome measures including Short Form 8 (SF-8), Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F), as well as the 2-Minute Walk Test. All measures were completed at admission and again within one day of discharge.
Results/Outcomes: Meaningful change was observed in Pain Catastrophizing and Cancer Related Fatigue for all patients. Patient 1 demonstrated positive meaningful change in the mental component scale of the SF-8. Patient 3 had a meaningful change improvement in 2- Minute Walk Test and on final assessment was able to ambulate with use of rolling walker and weight bearing as tolerated on left lower extremity for a total distance of 200 feet. All patients had decreased ratings of daily pain intensity from admission to discharge.
Discussion and Conclusions: This investigation is novel given the lack of available research describing outcomes in the acute care setting for individuals with sarcomas and the significant impact they may have on physical function, mental health, and quality of life. The results from this case series indicate that patients may demonstrate meaningful changes in short term outcomes in an acute care setting.
Example 3: Educating for Engagement: Influence of Physical Therapy Education on Lifelong Learning and Professional Engagement
Background and Purpose: Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that arises from mesenchymal cells. Medical treatment for sarcomas can lead to numerous soft tissue, physical, and functional limitations. Currently there is a lack of literature describing outcomes of conservative rehabilitation for lower extremity sarcomas. The purpose of this case series is to describe the short-term outcomes related to pain catastrophizing, cancer related fatigue, and perceived health of three patients undergoing treatment at a cancer hospital for sarcomas of the proximal lower extremity.
Methods: Three male patients with proximal lower extremity sarcomas undergoing care at an acute care cancer hospital. Patients were evaluated and treated by a physical therapist and student physical therapist during admission. Patients completed self-report outcome measures including Short Form 8 (SF-8), Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F), as well as the 2-Minute Walk Test. All measures were completed at admission and again within one day of discharge.
Results/Outcomes: Meaningful change was observed in Pain Catastrophizing and Cancer Related Fatigue for all patients. Patient 1 demonstrated positive meaningful change in the mental component scale of the SF-8. Patient 3 had a meaningful change improvement in 2- Minute Walk Test and on final assessment was able to ambulate with use of rolling walker and weight bearing as tolerated on left lower extremity for a total distance of 200 feet. All patients had decreased ratings of daily pain intensity from admission to discharge.
Discussion and Conclusions: This investigation is novel given the lack of available research describing outcomes in the acute care setting for individuals with sarcomas and the significant impact they may have on physical function, mental health, and quality of life. The results from this case series indicate that patients may demonstrate meaningful changes in short term outcomes in an acute care setting.
