Clinical trials

This study aims to evaluate the effect of an active learning-based educational intervention on competencies related to evidence-based practice (EBP) in undergraduate physiotherapy students. The intervention was embedded within a four-month Research Methods course and focused on small group activities involving literature search, critical appraisal, oral presentations, and formative assessment through rubrics. The study follows a pre-post quasi-experimental design without a control group. Primary outcomes include students' beliefs, attitudes, perceived skills, and frequency of EBP application, assessed through a custom-developed and validated questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include academic engagement, measured using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale - Student Version (UWES-S), and student satisfaction with the educational approach, measured using the Student Outcomes Survey. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and one week after course completion.

The primary purpose of this study will be to determine if a CFs-Enriched Standard Care approach is an effective treatment for mechanical neck pain in terms of reducing pain and improving function. We hypothesize that a 4-week CFs-Enriched Standard Care approach will be superior to Standard Care alone in terms of patient-reported disability and pain, with measurements conducted using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, respectively. This will be an assessor-blinded, 2-group (1:1) randomized clinical trial aiming to enroll 94 participants with neck pain persisting for more than 4 weeks. Both groups will undergo 4 weeks of standard care twice weekly, following established clinical practice guidelines. In the intervention group, CFs will be enhanced, encompassing the physical, psychological, and social elements inherent in the clinical encounter, based on existing evidence. The primary outcomes will encompass changes in Pain and Disability after 4 weeks of treatment, with a follow-up reassessment at week 12 post-treatment. Secondary outcomes will include changes in Active Range of Motion, Global Rating of Change, and Satisfaction with treatment. The change between groups after treatment and at the 12-week follow-up will be reported for all outcomes, considering the difference from scores recorded at baseline.