ARTICLE CRITIQUE: PARTICIPANT PERCEPTIONS OF A NOVEL PHYSIOTHERAPY APPROACH

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Introduction Smith et al. (2012) explored the importance of the Blue prescription to inducing physical activity among people with multiple sclerosis. Although, the title of the study appears long, it is complete and accurate. Specifically, the title implies that the qualitative study was conducted on the participants after they received medical help in order to determine their perceptions of the Blue prescription as an intervention for enhancing levels of physical activity. Study Abstract An abstract refers to a brief summary of a concluded research. A proper abstract inspires the reader to scan through the research purposely to learn more about what the investigation was all about. The abstract contains the following primary elements of the research: the problem statement; the significance of physical activity among patients with multiple sclerosis; the methodology; results; and the scientific gap of adopting the Blue prescription as a way of ensuring that patients overcome the problem. Although, the study abstract is comprehensive, and has relevant keywords, it is not complete due to the lack of limitations of the study. Introduction and Study Objectives The introduction to the research study is spot on, in the sense that it offers a deep insight into the topic being studied. The authors began by highlighting the rationale and importance of the health benefits of physical activity among patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS); suggesting that, though previous studies discouraged physical activity among persons having chronic health complications, recent research studies have proven otherwise (Smith et al., 2012). The statement to the research problem points to the mobility challenges experienced by people with serious health issues such as MS, but with unrelenting support. Through the Blue prescription, the authors propose that the problem could be overcome. The study aims, premised upon the need to enhance the participation of victims of MS in physical activity, were realistic considering the fact that such persons naturally have movement problems, and that previous studies have disapproved of vigorous exercise for the community. There were two main study aims: to improve the patient’s perception of physical activity; and to ensure that they participate more in physical exercises so as to improve individual health. The study aims are related to the objectives of improving mobility of people with MS. Literature Review The literature review takes a historical perspective, highlighting the outcomes of previous research studies that focused on the topic of study. The authors presented an operational definition so as to enable the reader to understand the themes investigated in the paper. In the process, Smith et al. (2012) identified the weaknesses of previous research studies as far as the significance of physical activity among people with multiple sclerosis is concerned. Basing their arguments on the impact of the theoretical novel physiotherapy intervention or Blue prescription as a method of improving patient participation in physical activity, the researchers backed up their thesis with credible and relevant secondary sources numbering 38, drawn from around the world. Most of the sources that they used contained current information, but a small number of them were published more than ten years ago. However, the insignificant number of outdated references did not water down the quality of the literature review. Methods: Study Approach Smith et al. (2012) employed a qualitative approach to the research. They conducted direct and semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions alongside structured ones. Whereas the researchers did not specify the type of research approach they used, all pointers indicate that the study was premised upon a phenomenology model because it directly studies structures of perception as experienced by the respondents. In this case, the interviewees were patients who had just received medical intervention to stem their condition of multiple sclerosis, with the main aim of the research being the modification of their perception to participate more in physical activity. In contrast, according to Burnard (1991), the primary limitation of the research based on a qualitative approach is that it lacks measurable numerical data. Methods: Sampling The researchers sampled 27 volunteers, who they believed represented an excellent diversity due to their metropolitan background. They (researchers) did utilize most of the socio-demographic aspects of the study sample such as age, sex, duration of MS in years, ethnicity, type of MS, and the level of mobility. Nonetheless, other details such as occupation, social class, education, income and marital status were lacking. The sampling would be stronger, had the researchers included the latter details in the work. The voluntary sampling process was appropriate because it mostly contributes to reliable outcomes (Burnard, 1991). However, the researchers did not fully indicate the sampling method; nevertheless, the inclusion criteria employed was justified because it offered the sampled persons a sense of ownership and the impetus to take part in the process more freely. Unlike other methods, the methodology provided first-hand data (Forchuk & Roberts, 1993). On the other hand, socio-demographic disparities among the sampled population might have negatively affected the accuracy of the outcomes. Methods: Data Collection The researchers settled for and individually carried out the interviews for data collection. The sessions were done individually during which semi-structured responses were audio-recorded and transcribed, most probably by the researchers. Recording of the interviews enables researchers to refer to it after the session. Their decision not to conduct a pilot study prior to the study saved the researchers’ time and money. The length of the interviews was not specified. Highlighting the interview questions before the interviews may have led to inaccurate outcomes. However, this was not the case as the researchers sought direct answers and acquired the interviewees themselves. As it is the case in most studies though, language barrier may have posed the greatest challenge to the success of the interview. Ethical Issues The researchers addressed several ethical issues in their non-coercive study, including seeking permission from the University’s Human Research Ethics Committee, and obtaining full consent of the participants. However, they omitted consulting the health facilities which provides medical care to the patient-respondents; an action that might have increased their vulnerability to recriminations. Nonetheless, the researchers maintained confidentiality of the participants’ data. The study, funded by the University, was likely to physically benefit the participants by increasing their body activity since the patients have movement problems.

Data Analysis The researchers employed a General Inductive Approach to assess the outcomes of the largely evaluative nature of the interviews, with a view to identify various categories of the raw data for easy classification. There was neither a mention of the computer software package, nor the type of qualitative analysis approach used in the analysis of data. However, the researchers did mention the systematic steps from data grouping into various categories followed by more analysis to arrive at the desired results. The wide range and nature of raw data, usually associated with qualitative studies, was a major limitation in the data analysis (Burnard, 1991). Study Results The results were organized into three themes; three sub-themes and four categories and presented in a table format. The results met the goals set in the beginning of the research, with support of the people with MS alongside the use of Blue prescription contributing to more physical activity among the group. The themes did not contain the participants’ verbatim statements; however, their aspirations were well taken care of in the clearly outlined and systematic outcomes. There were no omissions in the results because the aims of the research were comparable to the actual outcomes. Discussion of Results The researchers provided an accurate discussion of the results, based on the themes they identified during the study. The discussion was objectively done, in which case, different perceptions were put into consideration. These comparisons of various studies enable the reader to appraise the general level of research on the subject. The study outcomes present new benefits to clinical practitioners regarding the need for patients with chronic illnesses to participate in physical activities as a way of improving health. Rigor of Study The researchers deliberated upon the interview content to eliminate any cases of inaccuracy of the questions, or pre-conceptions that they may have had before, thus making the research more auditable. Nonetheless, they did not clearly highlight the weaknesses of the research. The Study Conclusion The researchers gave a clear summary of the outcomes of the study. They also suggested that future studies should be done to throw more light on the subject, especially on communication strategies and evaluation of the outcomes. The Student’s Conclusion Generally, the study title is complete and gives the reader a straight impression of the content of the paper. Owing to the significance of a study abstract to research, the abstract clearly outlines all the processes undertaken in the entire study. These include; the purpose, and nature of the study; the methodology, results and analysis of the findings, and recommendations for future research. The introduction offers a glimpse of what the paper contains and the major aims of the research set for exploration. The researchers offered a detailed literature review of past research studies numbering 38, though some of the sources were outdated. Through a qualitative approach to research, 27 volunteers were sampled for interviews, during which recording equipment were switched on. The equipment may have added to the costs of the research, nonetheless. Although, the researchers sought permission from the University and relied on voluntary interviews, the interviews may have made the respondents vulnerable to the health facility authorities. The results were organized into three themes and thoroughly analyzed and discussed. The researchers ensured that the study was free of inaccuracies by approaching the data collection, analysis, discussion and presentation in a joint manner, in which case each researcher’s independent opinion was considered.

References
Burnard, P. (1991) A method of analyzing interview transcripts in qualitative research. Nurse Education Today, 11, pp.461-466.
Forchuk, C. & Roberts, J. (1993) How to critique qualitative research articles. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 25(4), pp.47-55.
Smith, C.M., Hale, L.A., Mulligan, H.F. & Treharne, G.J. (2012) Participant perceptions of a novel physiotherapy approach (“Blue Prescription”) for increasing levels of physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study following intervention. Disability & Rehabilitation, pp.1-8.