Evidence Based Physiotherapy

Faculty

Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences

Version

Version 1 of 20.06.2025.

Module identifier

22B1919

Module level

Bachelor

Language of instruction

English

ECTS credit points and grading

5.0

Module frequency

only summer term

Duration

1 semester

 

 

Brief description

Scientifically based clinical decisions are essential for physiotherapeutic action. With this background, physiotherapists must be able to obtain studies with new scientific findings, evaluate them and, if necessary, integrate them into their clinical actions. The module Evidence-Based Physiotherapy provides the necessary basics and instruments.

Teaching and learning outcomes

  • Necessity, basic concepts and ways of thinking of evidence-based physiotherapy
  • Methodological foundations for the understanding of evidence-based physiotherapy
  • Types of studies
  • Key numbers
  • Levels of evidence
  • Researching and how to find external evidence
  • Evaluation of scientific studies
    • Internal validity
    • External validity
  • Guidelines as a basis for clinical action

Overall workload

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning
Workload hoursType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
45SeminarPresence or online-
Lecturer independent learning
Workload hoursType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
45Preparation/follow-up for course work-
60Work in small groups-
Graded examination
  • Oral presentation, with written elaboration or
  • Project Report, written
Remark on the assessment methods

The selection of graded and ungraded examination types from the given options is the responsibility of the respective teacher. In doing so, he/she will adhere to the respective valid study regulations.

Exam duration and scope

For the types of examinations permitted in the module, the following information on the scope and duration applies in each case:

  • Presentation: approx. 20 minutes; accompanying paper: approx. 5 pages
  • Project report (written): approx. 15 pages

The requirements will be specified in the respective course.

Recommended prior knowledge

The parallel courses in the 4th semester in the module "Fundamentals of Clinical Reasoning" support the learning process in this module.

Knowledge Broadening

Students who have passed this module can describe the basics and methods of evidence-based physiotherapy.

Knowledge deepening

The students who have passed this module explain the importance and justify the necessity of evidence-based physiotherapy for clinical practice.

Knowledge Understanding

Students who have passed this module justify and justify the use of EBP methods and instruments in order to reflect scientifically and critically on their clinical actions.

Application and Transfer

The students who have passed this module are able to specifically research evidence based on clinical questions, evaluate it and implement the resulting findings into clinical practice.

Academic Innovation

Students who have passed this module can derive current research questions and develop research methods that are appropriate to these questions. They are also able to evaluate and interpret research results.

Communication and Cooperation

The students who have passed this module plan EBP methods and instruments in a targeted manner and can describe, discuss and defend their approach to patients and specialist colleagues.

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism

The students who have passed this module classify their own professional self-image in an international and intercultural context and can further develop their own skills and competencies accordingly. They critically reflect on their professional actions from these aspects and are able to relate them to the social situation.

Literature

  • Armijo-Olivo, S., de Oliveira-Souza, A. I. S., Mohamad, N., de Castro Carletti, E. M., Fuentes, J., & Ballenberger, N. (2022). Selection, Confounding, and Attrition Biases in Randomized Controlled Trials of Rehabilitation Interventions: What Are They and How Can They Affect Randomized Controlled Trials Results? Basic Information for Junior Researchers and Clinicians. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 101(11), 1042-1055.
  • Armijo-Olivo, S., de Castro-Carletti, E. M., Calixtre, L. B., de Oliveira-Souza, A. I. S., Mohamad, N., & Fuentes, J. (2022). Understanding Clinical Significance in Rehabilitation: A Primer for Researchers and Clinicians. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 101(1), 64-77. 
  • Borgetto, B., Tomlin, G. S., Max, S., Brinkmann, M., Spitzer, L., & Pfingsten, A. (2019). Evidenz in der Gesundheitsversorgung: Die Forschungspyramide. In Gesundheitswissenschaften (pp. 643- 654). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
  • Gordis, Leon (2014): Epidemiology. Fifth edition. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders.
  • Herbert, R., Jamtvedt, G., Hagen, K. B., & Elkins, M. (2022). Practical evidence-based physiotherapy. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
  • Mangold, Sabine (2013): Evidenzbasiertes Arbeiten in der Physio- und Ergotherapie. Reflektiert - systematisch - wissenschaftlich fundiert. 2nd ed. Dordrecht: Springer Sackett,
  • Rosenberg, W. M. C.; Gray, J. A. M.; Haynes, R. B.; Richardson, W. S. (1996): Evidence based medicine. What it is and what it isn't. In: BMJ 312 (7023)

Linkage to other modules

This module supports the teaching processes on various modules in the 5th semester whose contents are related to EBP.

Applicability in study programs

  • Physiotherapy
    • Physiotherapy B.Sc. (01.03.2025)

    Person responsible for the module
    • Möller, Dirk
    Teachers
    • Ballenberger, Nikolaus
    • Armijo-Olivo, Susan