Dear Joseph
The majority of the references are not RCT's but I would not say anecdotal.
RCT is a simple research tool, hoping for a homogenous sample, one
experimental variable and one to monitor change. When dealing with
complicated organisms this may be too simple and this is why I reel many
RCT's are not applicable to therapy research. The Dr's/Cons are begining to
catch on to this newer way of reasoning present in the therapies for some
years.
My research was five single subject designs monitoring intensity and spread
of self reported pain in chronic LBP. CTM was introduced and numerical
scores were attained. Using Ottenbachers semi statistical analysis I was
able to say that serial dependency (one measure influencing the next), was
unlikely to be present and four of the five cases showed clinical and
statistically significant reduction in these two measures of pain.
This of course does not mean CTM cures 80% of chronic LBP sufferers. It does
say it can on ocassion change the perceived pain by the patient. A larger
study and I would suggest more of the same, may give increased generisable
reliability.
The beauty of this type of research is that it mimics the therapeutic
processes of assessment and treatment closely and allows for each case to be
scrutinised in greater detail with many variables being measured at once. I
feel this is a more holistic way of researching as opposed to the randomised
controlled attempts to make each individual case, identical; people as we
know are not like that. The averaging of extreme variables may hide serious
flaws in treatments. Perhaps if what we did made drug companies lots of
money as opposed to saving health agencies these costs, we might get more
research assistance and less organised critism.
Hope this helps Kevin
----- Original Message -----
From: Joseph Beatus <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2000 2:17 PM
Subject: Re: Connective Tissue Massage
> --Dear Kevin: thanks for ref list. It is not clear to me how you
integrated
> the diverse studies (mostly seem anecdotal?). I'm enclosing my e-mail, if
> you prefer describing your study and results; or send the abstract.
thanks.
> Joe
> [log in to unmask]
>
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