Research use by massage therapists
Did you know there've been studies on Canadian massage therapists' use of research evidence?
In both unregulated (AB) and regulated (MB, ON) provinces, the findings were similar: massage therapists are open to using research, but not all of them have the time and/or knowledge to locate and access it. The studies are cited--including some links to full text--below.
At the RMTBC, we're helping members with research literacy and use. We're arranging an in-person 'road show' of the province, to demonstrate tips & tricks for research literacy, and how to implement evidence in practice (spring 2015).
Ability to find and use research is, after all, a core competency!
And our research director recently co-presented the webinar Examples from the field: Everyday use of research in practice, that includes his own tips for keeping up to date.
Hanna, S. (2008) Researching. (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Baskwill, A. (2014). Awareness of the Evidence for Practice of Registered Massage Therapists in Ontario (Master of science dissertation).
College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (2010). Applications of research to practice: Performance objectives in CMTBC Guidelines for foundational knowledge in massage therapy educational programs. Entry to practice requirements.
Colleges of Massage Therapists of BC, NL, and ON (2012). Inter-jurisdictional practice competencies and performance indicators for massage therapists at entry-to-practice. Entry to practice requirements.
Gowan-Moody, D. M. (2010). Research perceptions and utilization among massage therapists in Saskatchewan, Canada (Master of science dissertation).
Gowan-Moody, D. M., Leis, A. M., Abonyi, S., Epstein, M., & Premkumar, K. (2012). Research utilization and evidence-based practice among Saskatchewan massage therapists. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 10(1), 189-198.
Suter, E., Vanderheyden, L. C., Trojan, L. S., Verhoef, M. J., & Armitage, G. D. (2007). How important is research-based practice to chiropractors and massage therapists?. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 30(2), 109-115.