title: Evaluation of e-learning as an adjunctive method for the acquisition of skills in bony landmark palpation and muscular ultrasound examination in the lumbopelvic region: a controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine whether the acquisition of competence in palpation and ultrasound imaging in the lumbopelvic region can be improved by the use of e-learning strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a single-blind randomized controlled study. Forty-four physical therapy undergraduate students (29 females) from the University of Granada (Spain) received an educational module of on-campus training in palpation and ultrasound examination of the lumbopelvic area. The participants were randomly distributed into 2 groups: the e-learning group, with free access to a Web site on musculoskeletal palpation and ultrasound assessment, and the control group, with access to documents and books on the topic. Objective structured clinical evaluation and reproducibility between professorial staff and students in multifidus cross-sectional area ultrasound imaging were used to assess the educational intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Objective structured clinical evaluation scores were statistically significantly higher in the e-learning group than in the control group for skills in palpation ability and ultrasound assessment of the lumbopelvic area (both P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that e-learning may be an adjunct educational strategy to acquire musculoskeletal manual skills and ultrasound imaging of the lumbopelvic area.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cantarero-Villanueva
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández-Lao
authors.forename: Noelia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Galiano-Castillo
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castro-Martín
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Díaz-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arroyo-Morales
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010173:Palpation; D010388:Pelvis; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013030:Spain; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult