Learning Curves Observed in Establishing Targeted Rate of Force Application in Pressure Pain Algometry

Overview

Journal Physiother Can

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2016 Dec 3

PMID 27909360

Authors

Alicia J Emerson Kavchak

Josiah D Sault

Ann Vendrely

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

To determine whether learning curves can be observed with deliberate practice when the goal is to apply a consistent rate of force at 5 N/second during pressure pain threshold (PPT) testing in healthy volunteers. In this prospective study, 17 clinician participants completed PPT targeted rate-of-application testing with healthy volunteers using three different feedback paradigms. The resultant performances of ramp rate during 36 trials were plotted on a graph and examined to determine whether learning curves were observed. Clinicians were not consistent in the rate of force applied. None demonstrated a learning curve over the course of 36 trials and three testing paradigms. The results of this study indicate that applying a consistent 5 N/second of force is difficult for practising clinicians. The lack of learning curves observed suggests that educational strategies for clinicians using PPT may need to change.

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