title: Factors affecting confidence and knowledge in spinal palpation among International Manual Physical Therapists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to find if there was a relationship between the confidence in use of static palpation, passive physiological intervertebral motion (PPIVM) and passive accessory intervertebral motion (PAIVM) and the manual therapist's (MTs) knowledge of the literature on these topics.
  
  
  METHODS
  We designed an international survey to achieve our objectives. Each skill was surveyed for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines. We also included several other factors that we believed might influence the use of these skills.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We concluded that familiarity of the literature was significantly associated with a MTs' confidence in the use of static palpation, PPIVM and PAIVM techniques. We also found a relationship with the country of practice of the MT and their confidence using these techniques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spinal palpation is an integral part of the MT's evaluation and treatment abilities. The vast majority of MTs use spinal palpation and nearly all entry-level education programmes include it in their training. Knowing what factors influence MTs' confidence assessing and treating the spine may allow for more effective teaching and training, as well as improved patient outcomes.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors: Steve
authors: 0000-0003-2819-1219
authors: S
authors: Karas
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, Australia.
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Schneiders
authors: School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Duncan
authors: D
authors: Reid
authors: Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Talisa
keywords: Manual therapy; Passive accessory motion; Passive intervertebral motion; Spinal palpation