Active Learning and EBP Competency in Undergraduate Physiotherapy
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Active Learning-Based Research Methods Course.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Health Education. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Argentina
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Impact of Active Learning on Beliefs, Attitudes, Perceived Skills, and Application of Evidence-Based Practice in Undergraduate Physiotherapy Students
Overview
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.
Detailed description
This quasi-experimental study without a control group will be conducted at the Universidad Nacional de La Matanza (UNLaM), Argentina, between March and July 2025. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention based on active learning strategies on evidence-based practice (EBP) competencies among physiotherapy students.
The intervention was implemented as part of a four-month Research Methods course and included weekly group-based activities such as literature retrieval, critical appraisal, oral presentations, peer feedback, and structured assessments using rubrics. The course aimed to strengthen students' beliefs, attitudes, perceived skills, and frequency of use related to EBP.
Outcomes were assessed using a custom-developed and validated questionnaire covering four domains and key competencies in EBP. Secondary outcomes included academic engagement, measured with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale - Student Version (UWES-S), and student satisfaction, assessed through the Student Outcomes Survey. Data collection occurred at baseline, at the end of the course, and one week after completion. The study followed TREND reporting guidelines and was approved by the institutional research ethics committee at UNLaM.
Interventions
- Behavioral Active Learning-Based Research Methods Course
A four-month educational intervention based on active learning strategies, delivered as part of a Research Methods course for fourth-year undergraduate students in physiotherapy. The intervention included weekly group activities focused on literature retrieval, critical appraisal, oral presentations, peer feedback, and structured formative assessments using rubrics. The aim was to improve beliefs, attitudes, perceived skills, and frequency of use of evidence-based practice.
Primary outcome measures
- Beliefs about Evidence-Based Practice [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-month intervention]
- Attitudes toward Evidence-Based Practice [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-month intervention.]
- Perceived Evidence-Based Practice Skills [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-month intervention.]
- Frequency of Evidence-Based Practice Application [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-month intervention.]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Academic Engagement [Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-month intervention.]
- Student Satisfaction with Teaching and Assessment [Time frame: One week after the completion of the 4-month intervention.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Undergraduate students enrolled in the Research Methods course at the Universidad Nacional de La Matanza during the March-July 2024 term.
- Provided written informed consent.
- Attended at least 80% of course sessions.
Exclusion criteria
- Students who withdrew from the course before completion of the follow-up period.
- Incomplete or missing baseline or final evaluation data.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- N/A
- Model
- Single group
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Other
Study locations
Argentina · 1 center
- Universidad Nacional de la Matanza — San Justo
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06945367 · UNLaM-AL