RESULTS Knowledge translation interventions appear to have result ed in a positive change in physiotherapist beliefs , attitudes , skills and guideline awareness .
However , no consistent improvement in clinical practice , patient and economic outcomes were observed .
AND IMPLICATION OF KEY FINDINGS The intensity and type of knowledge translation intervention seem to have an effect on practice change .
BACKGROUND Many physiotherapists underuse evidence -based practice guidelines or recommendations when treating patients with musculoskeletal disorders , yet synthesis of knowledge translation interventions used within the field of physiotherapy fails to offer clear conclusions to guide the implementation of clinical practice guidelines .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of various  knowledge translation interventions used to implement changes in the practice of current physiotherapists treating common musculoskeletal issues .
The Effectiveness of a Posted Information Package on the Beliefs and Behavior of Musculoskeletal Practitioners: The UK Chiropractors, Osteopaths, and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists Low Back Pain ManagemENT (COMPLeMENT) Randomized Trial
Study Design . R and omized controlled trial . Objective . To investigate the effect of a printed information package on the low back pain (LBP)-related beliefs and reported behavior of musculoskeletal practitioners ( chiropractors , osteopaths , and musculoskeletal physiotherapists ) across the United Kingdom . Summary of Background Data . A substantial proportion of musculoskeletal practitioners in United Kingdom does not follow current LBP guideline recommendations . Methods . In total , 1758 practitioners were r and omly allocated to either of the 2 study arms . One arm was posted a printed information package containing guideline recommendations for the management of LBP ( n = 876 ) and the other received no intervention ( n = 882 ) . The primary outcome measure consisted of 3 “ quality indicators ” ( activity , work , and bed-rest ) relating to a vignette of a patient with LBP , in which responses were dichotomized into either “ guideline -inconsistent ” or “ guideline -consistent . ” The secondary outcome was the practitioners ' LBP-related beliefs , measured using the Health Care Providers Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale . Outcomes were measured at baseline and at 6 months . Results . Follow-up at 6 months was 89 % . The changes in reported behavior on the quality indicators were as follows : activity , odds ratio ( OR ) 1.29 ( 95 % confidence interval , 1.03–1.61 ) and number needed to be treated ( NNT ) , 19 ( 15–28 ) ; work , OR 1.35 ( 1.07–1.70 ) and NNT 19 ( 14–29 ) ; and bed-rest , OR 1.31 ( 0.97–1.76 ) and NNT 47 ( 33–103 ) . The composite NNT for a change from guideline -inconsistent to guideline -consistent behavior on at least 1 of the 3 quality indicators was 10 ( 9–14 ) . LBP-related beliefs were significantly improved in those who were sent the information package ( P = 0.002 ) , but only to a small degree ( mean difference , 0.884 scale points ; 95 % confidence interval , 0.319–1.448 ) . Conclusion . Printed educational material can shift LBP-related beliefs and reported behaviors of musculoskeletal practitioners , toward practice that is more in line with guideline recommendations
RESULTS Knowledge translation interventions appear to have result ed in a positive change in physiotherapist beliefs , attitudes , skills and guideline awareness .
However , no consistent improvement in clinical practice , patient and economic outcomes were observed .
AND IMPLICATION OF KEY FINDINGS The intensity and type of knowledge translation intervention seem to have an effect on practice change .
BACKGROUND Many physiotherapists underuse evidence -based practice guidelines or recommendations when treating patients with musculoskeletal disorders , yet synthesis of knowledge translation interventions used within the field of physiotherapy fails to offer clear conclusions to guide the implementation of clinical practice guidelines .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of various  knowledge translation interventions used to implement changes in the practice of current physiotherapists treating common musculoskeletal issues .