AMTA Research and Evidence-Based Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following BEST describes a 'control group' in a massage therapy study?
- The group that receives the most intensive massage treatment
- A group that does not receive the experimental treatment, used for comparison (Correct answer)
- Participants who have the highest baseline pain scores
- The therapist supervising the trial
Correct answer: A group that does not receive the experimental treatment, used for comparison
A control group receives no treatment or a placebo, providing a baseline for comparing outcomes against the experimental group.
Question 2: In research, 'statistically significant' findings mean:
- The results are clinically important and large in magnitude
- The results are unlikely to have occurred by chance alone (Correct answer)
- The study was funded by a major institution
- The sample size was very large
Correct answer: The results are unlikely to have occurred by chance alone
Statistical significance indicates that the observed results are unlikely to be due to chance, though this does not necessarily mean the effect is clinically meaningful.
Question 3: Research showing that massage therapy reduces cortisol levels MOST directly supports its use for:
- Improving grip strength
- Reducing physiological stress responses (Correct answer)
- Increasing bone density
- Enhancing visual acuity
Correct answer: Reducing physiological stress responses
Cortisol is the primary stress hormone; research demonstrating its reduction following massage supports massage's role in alleviating physiological stress.
Question 4: Which of the following BEST illustrates applying evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making?
- Using a technique because it was taught first in school
- Selecting an approach based on current research, clinical experience, and client goals (Correct answer)
- Copying a colleague's treatment protocol without review
- Avoiding any technique not featured in a popular trade magazine
Correct answer: Selecting an approach based on current research, clinical experience, and client goals
Evidence-based practice requires integrating current research evidence with the practitioner's expertise and the individual client's goals and values.
Question 5: A common methodological limitation in massage therapy research is:
- Too many participants in studies
- Difficulty blinding participants to whether they received massage or not (Correct answer)
- Excessive government funding
- Overly standardized treatment protocols
Correct answer: Difficulty blinding participants to whether they received massage or not
Because participants typically know whether they received massage, true double-blinding is nearly impossible, making it difficult to fully account for placebo effects.
Question 6: Which source would be considered MOST reliable when researching evidence for massage therapy outcomes?
- A massage product company's website
- A peer-reviewed journal article published in a reputable database (Correct answer)
- A social media testimonial from a satisfied client
- An opinion piece by a celebrity therapist
Correct answer: A peer-reviewed journal article published in a reputable database
Peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in reputable databases represent the highest standard of published evidence for clinical decision-making.
AMTA Research and Evidence-Based Practice 2
Which of the following BEST describes a 'control group' in a massage therapy study?