The development of an evidence-based training programme in CB-CFT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The development and evaluation of an evidence-based training programme in Classification Based-Cognitive Functional Therapy (CB-CFT).
IRAS ID
149507
Contact name
Alison McGregor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Research summary
Classification Based - Cognitive Functional Therapy (CB-CFT) is a person centred physiotherapy approach to managing low back pain (LBP), and recent studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in managing this problem. It has been suggested that the level of training required for the physiotherapists may present a barrier for its widespread use in primary care.
The aim of this study is to develop an evidence-based training package in CB-CFT for physiotherapists and to establish specific outcome criteria for the training programme.
The training methods will include a mixture of standard lectures, a comprehensive course manual and “real” patient assessments by the principal investigator, in front of the group ('masterclass' demonstrations). The group patient assessments will be used to refine the specific criteria for assessment, as well as making physiotherapists more familiar with the system.
To evaluate the therapist’s understanding and competency of CB–CFT a combination of evaluation methods will be employed. To understand the therapists’ attitudes and beliefs about LBP and confidence managing the condition they will be asked to complete three questionnaires before and after training. To investigate the therapist’s clinical behaviour (actual and reported), “real” patient assessments and treatment will be evaluated and correlated with responses to a series of LBP case vignettes, which will assess the therapist’s clinical reasoning and recommendations for activity and work and ability to observe movement and pain behaviour. The therapist’s communication ability/style will also be analysed.
To explore each therapist’s experience of managing LBP and their perceptions of CB-CFT as an approach; semi-structured qualitative interviews will be conducted with each of the therapists before and after the training programme.
The evaluation of the therapists in this study will offer some insight into how best to train physiotherapists in this approach and how physiotherapists view this approach in terms of its fit with their usual practice.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/1045
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion