Active Learning and EBP Competency in Undergraduate Physiotherapy

NCT06945367 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UNLaM-AL
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Health Education

Keywords

Evidence-Based Practice; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Physical Therapy Specialty; Education, Professional

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Beliefs about Evidence-Based Practice

  Assessed as part of a custom-developed and validated questionnaire covering four domains and EBP-related competencies. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale.

  Baseline and immediately after the 4-month intervention

• Attitudes toward Evidence-Based Practice

  Assessed as part of a custom-developed and validated questionnaire covering four domains and seven EBP-related competencies. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale

  Baseline and immediately after the 4-month intervention.

• Perceived Evidence-Based Practice Skills

  Assessed as part of a custom-developed and validated questionnaire covering four domains and EBP-related competencies. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale.

  Baseline and immediately after the 4-month intervention.

• Frequency of Evidence-Based Practice Application

  Assessed as part of a custom-developed and validated questionnaire covering four domains and seven EBP-related competencies. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale

  Baseline and immediately after the 4-month intervention.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Academic Engagement

  Baseline and immediately after the 4-month intervention.

• Student Satisfaction with Teaching and Assessment

  One week after the completion of the 4-month intervention.

Study Arms (1)

Active Learning Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm are fourth-year undergraduate physiotherapy students enrolled in a Research Methods course. They will receive a four-month educational intervention based on active learning strategies, including weekly group-based activities such as literature search, critical appraisal, structured presentations, peer feedback, and formative assessment using rubrics. The aim was to improve beliefs, attitudes, perceived skills, and frequency of use of evidence-based practice.

Behavioral: Active Learning-Based Research Methods Course

Interventions

Active Learning-Based Research Methods Course BEHAVIORAL

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.

Also known as: AL-EBP

Active Learning Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• Students who withdrew from the course before completion of the follow-up period.
• Incomplete or missing baseline or final evaluation data.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Nacional de la Matanza: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universidad Nacional de la Matanza

San Justo, Buenos Aires, B1754, Argentina

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Health Education; Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Adherence Interventions; Medication Adherence; Patient Compliance; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Health Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Mauro F Andreu, PhD

CONTACT

(+54) 9 11 6 878 8298; mfandreu@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Due to the nature of the study, blinding was not feasible
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD

Model Details: Pre-post quasi-experimental design without a control group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 18, 2025
• First Posted: April 25, 2025
• Study Start: March 31, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 31, 2025
• Study Completion: July 31, 2025
• Last Updated: April 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

AR (1)