RESULTS The physiological effects of stretches may contribute to reducing discomfort and pain .
However , if other measures are not in place to remediate their causes , stretches may suppress awareness of risks , result ing in more debilitating injuries .
If inadequately performed , stretches may also cause or aggravate injuries .
The studies provided mixed findings , but demonstrated some beneficial effect of stretching in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders .
OBJECTIVE This article review ed the literature to clarify the physiological effects and benefits of , and misconceptions about , stretches used to reduce musculoskeletal disorders .
Evidence-based practice: beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors of physical therapists.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Little research has been done regarding the attitudes and behaviors of physical therapists relative to the use of evidence in practice . The purpose s of this study were to describe the beliefs , attitudes , knowledge , and behaviors of physical therapist members of the American Physical Therapy Association ( APTA ) as they relate to evidence -based practice ( EBP ) and to generate hypotheses about the relationship between these attributes and personal and practice characteristics of the respondents . METHODS A survey of a r and om sample of physical therapist members of APTA result ed in a 48.8 % return rate and a sample of 488 that was fairly representative of the national membership . Participants completed a question naire design ed to determine beliefs , attitudes , knowledge , and behaviors regarding EBP , as well as demographic information about themselves and their practice setting s. Responses were summarized for each item , and logistic regression analyses were used to examine relationships among variables . RESULTS Respondents agreed that the use of evidence in practice was necessary , that the literature was helpful in their practice s , and that quality of patient care was better when evidence was used . Training , familiarity with and confidence in search strategies , use of data bases , and critical appraisal tended to be associated with younger therapists with fewer years since they were licensed . Seventeen percent of the respondents stated they read fewer than 2 articles in a typical month , and one quarter of the respondents stated they used literature in their clinical decision making less than twice per month . The majority of the respondents had access to online information , although more had access at home than at work . According to the respondents , the primary barrier to implementing EBP was lack of time . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Physical therapists stated they had a positive attitude about EBP and were interested in learning or improving the skills necessary to implement EBP . They noted that they needed to increase the use of evidence in their daily practice
RESULTS The physiological effects of stretches may contribute to reducing discomfort and pain .
However , if other measures are not in place to remediate their causes , stretches may suppress awareness of risks , result ing in more debilitating injuries .
If inadequately performed , stretches may also cause or aggravate injuries .
The studies provided mixed findings , but demonstrated some beneficial effect of stretching in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders .
OBJECTIVE This article review ed the literature to clarify the physiological effects and benefits of , and misconceptions about , stretches used to reduce musculoskeletal disorders .