Inertial Sensors as Real-Time Feedback Improve Learning Posterior-Anterior Thoracic Manipulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of real-time feedback on the learning process for posterior-anterior thoracic manipulation (PATM) comparing 2 undergraduate physiotherapy student groups. MethodsThe study design was a randomized controlled trial in an educational setting. Sixty-one undergraduate physiotherapy students were divided randomly into 2 groups, G1 (n = 31; group without feedback in real time) and G2 (n = 30; group with real-time feedback) participated in this randomized controlled trial. Two groups of physiotherapy students learned PATM, one using a traditional method and the other using real-time feedback (inertial sensor). Measures were obtained preintervention and postintervention. Intragroup preintervention and postintervention and intergroup postintervention scores were calculated. An analysis of the measures' stability was developed through an interclass correlation index. Time, displacement and velocity, and improvement (only between groups) to reach maximum peak and to reach minimum peak from maximum peak, total manipulation time, and stability of all outcome measures were the outcome measures. ResultsStatistically significant differences were found in all variables analyzed (intragroup and intergroup) in favor of G2. The values of interclass correlation ranged from 0.627 to 0.706 (G1) and between 0.881 and 0.997 (G2). ConclusionsThis study found that the learning process for PATM is facilitated when the student receives real-time feedback.