title: Terminology, taxonomy, and facilitation of motor learning in clinical practice: protocol of a delphi study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Facilitating motor learning in patients during clinical practice is complex, especially in people with cognitive impairments. General principles of motor learning are available for therapists to use in their practice. However, the translation of evidence from the different fields of motor learning for use in clinical practice is problematic due to lack of uniformity in definition and taxonomy of terms related to motor learning.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this paper was to describe the design of a Delphi technique to reach consensus on definitions, descriptions, and taxonomy used within motor learning and to explore experts' opinions and experiences on the application of motor learning in practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A heterogeneous sample of at least 30 international experts on motor learning will be recruited. Their opinions regarding several central topics on motor learning using a Delphi technique will be collected in 3 sequential rounds. The questionnaires in the 3 rounds will be developed based on the literature and answers of experts from earlier rounds. Consensus will be reached when at least 70% of the experts agree on a certain topic. Free text comments and answers from open questions on opinions and experiences will be described and clustered into themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study is currently ongoing. It is financially supported by Stichting Alliantie Innovatie (Innovation Alliance Foundation), RAAK-international (Registration number: 2011-3-33int).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study will enable us to summarize and categorize expert knowledge and experiences in a format that should be more accessible for therapists to use in support of their clinical practice. Unresolved aspects will direct future research.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre Autonomy and Participation of People with a Chronic Illness, Faculty of Health, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Heerlen, Netherlands. melanie.kleynen@zuyd.nl.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kleynen
authors.forename: Michel Hc
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bleijlevens
authors.forename: Anna Jhm
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Beurskens
authors.forename: Sascha M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rasquin
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halfens
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Rich S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Masters
authors.forename: Monique A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lexis
authors.forename: Susy M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Braun
keywords: Delphi technique; clinical practice; consensus; definitions; motor learning