Building the rationale and structure for a complex physical therapy intervention within the context of a clinical trial: A multimodal individualized treatment for patients with hip osteoarthritis

Abstract

Evaluating the efficacy of complex interventions such as multimodal, impairmentbased physical therapy treatments in randomized controlled trials is essential to inform practice and compare relative benefits of available treatment options. Studies of physical therapy interventions using highly standardized intervention protocols, although methodologically rigorous, do not necessarily reflect "real-world" clinical practice, and in many cases results have been disappointing. Development of a complex intervention that includes multiple treatment modalities and individualized treatment technique selection requires a systematic approach to designing all aspects of the intervention based on theory,..