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I'm sorry, I just don't get research....
I started another blog post on the future of the massage profession and happened to mention research. It turned into a discussion on research. I decided to start a new blog post.
I'm sorry, I just don't get research. I'm not interested in it really even though I do have more of a science background than most massage therapists (AA degree in Biology). I am interested enough that I do keep trying to learn about it but I am just not getting it. The way researchers talk is beyond me. The best thing I can think of is the theories in a book called "Made to Stick" where they talk about a few things like the "Curse of Knowledge" where people know too much and forget that others don't know what they know and how to take info and put it into usable formats so that all understand.
What good will it do to have one or two studies that show promise in one area? All of the research on cancer and we still don't have a cure for it although Candace Pert says she has one but she can't get funding to study it. No one wants the answer. (updated post - actually I think Candace Pert says she has the cure for aids not cancer - my mistake!)
So what if there were 20 or 100 studies done on a topic? Would that prove that it works? No, not really. When I took a research class on cancer with Tracy Walton a few years ago she said to say something like 'research shows promising results in this area".
I am also quite skeptical having a friend in research at a prominent univ. where she manages researchers who are always skewing the results and throwing out data that doesn't fit their hypothesis. It is funded by big drug companies of course and the researchers want to continue to play and have their jobs.
Who is interpreting research for us? Is there someone who is going through research and analyzing it saying things like who did funded the study, what were the results, how good of a study was it etc? I would guess that people reading research could interpret the results the way they want to see them. How is research being used? How will it improve my business or practice? I do mainly injury work but don't feel any need for research. If massage doesn't work within a few weeks or a month, I send people on their way maybe even to another massage therapist. If research says it will work -does that mean my technique and presence will work?
And speaking of research - What I would like to see researched is how many hours of training do we need as a massage therapist? Is massage licensing needed or even working to do anything for the profession? I would love to see research on just using presence and the healing process. How would you measure that?
So I don't really know where I am going with this. I sort of have this interest but bad taste about research. I am going to the conference so I am sure I will be writing about it later!
Julie
I'm sorry, I just don't get research. I'm not interested in it really even though I do have more of a science background than most massage therapists (AA degree in Biology). I am interested enough that I do keep trying to learn about it but I am just not getting it. The way researchers talk is beyond me. The best thing I can think of is the theories in a book called "Made to Stick" where they talk about a few things like the "Curse of Knowledge" where people know too much and forget that others don't know what they know and how to take info and put it into usable formats so that all understand.
What good will it do to have one or two studies that show promise in one area? All of the research on cancer and we still don't have a cure for it although Candace Pert says she has one but she can't get funding to study it. No one wants the answer. (updated post - actually I think Candace Pert says she has the cure for aids not cancer - my mistake!)
So what if there were 20 or 100 studies done on a topic? Would that prove that it works? No, not really. When I took a research class on cancer with Tracy Walton a few years ago she said to say something like 'research shows promising results in this area".
I am also quite skeptical having a friend in research at a prominent univ. where she manages researchers who are always skewing the results and throwing out data that doesn't fit their hypothesis. It is funded by big drug companies of course and the researchers want to continue to play and have their jobs.
Who is interpreting research for us? Is there someone who is going through research and analyzing it saying things like who did funded the study, what were the results, how good of a study was it etc? I would guess that people reading research could interpret the results the way they want to see them. How is research being used? How will it improve my business or practice? I do mainly injury work but don't feel any need for research. If massage doesn't work within a few weeks or a month, I send people on their way maybe even to another massage therapist. If research says it will work -does that mean my technique and presence will work?
And speaking of research - What I would like to see researched is how many hours of training do we need as a massage therapist? Is massage licensing needed or even working to do anything for the profession? I would love to see research on just using presence and the healing process. How would you measure that?
So I don't really know where I am going with this. I sort of have this interest but bad taste about research. I am going to the conference so I am sure I will be writing about it later!
Julie
Views: 171
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Comment by Vlad on April 3, 2010 at 3:13pm
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I am doing this so I can understand it enough to write about it on my websites for other massage therapists and for my practice. No I don't see anything wrong with it. I am hoping it also gets other people admitting that they don't get it either so that we can find out how to make it more available and understandable. I am sure I am not the only one!
Got it.
Cool.
Your objetives are now made clear.
I didn't want anyone to think "Well, if she doesn't get it, how can I?". My suggestion for people to start getting basics (and don't be put off by stats - please - I don't get stats, but anyone can glean a LOT from the articles on the MTF site and Menard's book).
Stephen, it wasn't lack of research that made me drop it. It was low quality studies that carried little evidence, carried out by nurses. Also, higher level evidence studies showed that it didn't have any effect. Looking at the studies and knowing the type of study, where it was on the evidence scale and asking basic questions like "who is actually doing this study" was an epiphany to me.
Something happened in my head. I could no longer "sell it" because I knew that what I was attempting to sell had very little evidence.
Also, I felt like I'd been duped by my own level of ignorance and also because I felt like a lot of low level studies were being run in order to "back up" the modality. I got pissed off about it.
It's one thing if there are NO studies on something. It's something else if there are study after study put out with low weight in low tier journals. The first thing is OK with me. I have a problem with the second.
Bear in mind that I'm still in learning mode myself and there's a lot to get in. But understanding the difference between a meta-analysis and a cross-sectional study can throw a different light on things when you're looking at what you're doing in your practice. To me it's an ethical question. It's about your own integrity. Looking at the integrity of the researchers is also a biggie.
Just because someone has a PhD after their name doesn't mean anything to me. When you start looking at studies you soon realize that it means diddly squat.
Here's my theory - if EVERYONE takes it on themselves to be discerning consumers of research, then this will make it so that the scientists are aware of it. It will demand result in higher quality studies and it will let them know that we won't have the "wool pulled over our eyes".
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Comment by Kim Goral on April 3, 2010 at 3:00pm
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Susan- That sounds like an interesting degree program! I'm just about halfway finished with my Masters (in applied psychology; research based, not clinical)- 2 more semesters after this one! :)
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Comment by Stephen Jeffrey on April 3, 2010 at 2:26pm
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Julie, it sounds like you do a great job without having to mention reams of research to your clients and I cant see that your comments are in any way harmfull. You just chose a v effective title to stimulate replys :)
Vlad, why on earth would you drop a modality because of lack of research ?
We should only drop modalitys or techniques because they prove ineffective/harmfull ?
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Comment by Susan G. Salvo on April 3, 2010 at 2:14pm
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Kim, my Masters Degree will be in Educational Leadership and Instructional Technology. Just a few more semesters left.
And I am having a BLAST – there is SOO much to learn and do. Massage is not the only profession experiencing a revolution.
Research is a central component in the efficacy and advancement of any profession.
But Julie does offer an interesting perspective. And my “educated” guess is that her perspective is shared by many.
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Comment by Julie Onofrio on April 3, 2010 at 1:50pm
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I don't get it enough to understand it enough to tell anyone anything about it... I never say to any client - this will work because of this research. I used one study about carpal tunnel because someone else explained it for me...
I do medical massage -meaning I bill for insurance and work with people with injuries but do just basic deep tissue and triggerpoint therapy - but most of the time I just do nothing but getting people into their bodies. Most of my training was in structural integration with Zentherapy which I don't really do anymore. I just have gone back to my basic massage school training skills.
I have read many articles and even joined a discussion group in the past and have been trying throughout the last few years of my 21 year career to figure out what meaning it has for me and the profession. I just actually went to your site and if I had seen that first most of the problem would be solved! If we could only get more people on there and posting research and their comments etc!
I am doing this so I can understand it enough to write about it on my websites for other massage therapists and for my practice. No I don't see anything wrong with it. I am hoping it also gets other people admitting that they don't get it either so that we can find out how to make it more available and understandable. I am sure I am not the only one!
I have heard the comment that research is important to show doctors and insurance companies that it is needed but that isn't true either. Here in WA we are contracted providers because the insurance commissioner decided she liked massage because it helped someone she knew. Thats about it.
I am saying I don't get it so that it can promote learning about research...
Julie
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Susan- what are you getting your degree in? And that is a great story about the class lol.
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Hey Julie,
I’m a graduate student taking graduate level courses.
This semester, I’m taking a class in qualitative research. It’s my third research class in graduate school. No, research was not part of my undergraduate studies.
Students are required to write a research paper (yes, and actually conduct the research - this part is fun).
Earlier this semester, the professor is made copies of a research paper (so we can copies of the same study). We are following along as the professor reads it and discusses the scientific method and parts of research paper.
The whole class is struggling this process. The lady next to me is convinced now that she has undiagnosed ADHD because she has lost focus by page three.
One student blurts out, “Why don’t researchers write papers for people other than their peers?” The professor looks at us and says, “I don’t know why, but that would be an excellent idea.”
The whole class laughed.
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I don't think saying "I don't get it " is harmful. How do you see it as harmful?
Don't you see anything wrong with someone who is obviously left brained dominant, who has a degree in Biology, who does medical message, who has a strong online presence who can't be bothered picking up a book because she's wants someone to explain to her why she needs to pick up that book? If you can't figure out why someone like that saying "I don't get it" isn't detrimental to research, then I can't explain it to you.
Reading a book isn't beyond us.
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This whole thread was started because I had another thread on the future of massage and I mentioned research in it.... the thread then changed to research and someone suggested I start another thread on research... I don't think saying "I don't get it " is harmful. How do you see it as harmful? I think others think the same way and I was wanting to find out that too. Ruth Werner actually contacted me and is using it in one of her presentations.
Julie
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Julie,
Yes I will be at the conference in Seattle (presenting some of my work from this year! :). I appreciate your offer to help with my project and will keep it in mind as it gets underway. I think it is commendable that you would like to help others figure out research and certainly possible to do. It takes a lot of work, time, and dedication to be understand it enough to teach it to others but definitely possible to do with enough commitment to it.
I picture a reference site where every research article is commented on by you guys who post on here and understand research and let others put their insights too (like in blog form or whatever.)
Seems like great minds think alike! Vlad actually made a site with this exact purpose in mind a few months ago. Here's the link to it http://www.mt-researchonline.com/content/welcome. It's been a bit dorment lately but maybe we can stir things up. If you have any research topics or articles that seem interesting to you but that you don't understand certain things about, please post them and I or someone else could help to clarify any confusing points or language/terminology.
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