Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68185
SOMATIC RESEARCH against making assumptions about the literacy of participants and were asked to define research terms and explain processes in detail. Researchers were also informed of the prevailing perspective that research is only beginning to catch up to what we already believe to be true about massage and bodywork, and were asked not to ignore the art while attempting to define the science of massage. Experiential workshops were offered in addition to traditional research breakout sessions. These workshops demonstrated practical applications of research and provided hands-on translational research experience to newcomers. For example, in Whitney Lowe's workshop, small groups analyzed a variety of case studies, discussing how research might inform all aspects of clinical treatment planning: selecting assessment techniques, identifying indications and contraindications, selecting treatment modalities, and choosing measurement tools to denote progress. To close, the groups identified gaps in the research, such as the lack of dosing studies to assist practitioners in recommending frequency and duration of sessions to clients with various conditions, completing the loop of translational research. (Translational research is the conversion of basic science data into information that informs clinical practice. The reverse is the other critical component: clinical findings must inform research to ensure future research has clinical relevance. In other words, it is as important to influence research as it is to be influenced by research.) To further enhance the dialogue between clinicians and researchers, mentoring was available during networking sessions. Keynote speakers Dan Cherkin, PhD, Whitney Lowe, and Helene Langevin, MD, were among those who led small group discussions on clinical research, translational research, and educational research over boxed lunches. In addition, newcomers to research were invited to stay after the close of the conference to ensure all their questions were voiced and hopefully answered. MTF President Ruth Werner and research department chair of the Massage Therapists Association of British Columbia (MTABC) Bodhi Haraldsson fielded questions from about 80 practitioners over lunch. Many massage therapists were relieved to find that research was neither boring nor confusing, and they look forward to participating in more research conferences in the future (per conference evaluations). COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH CONFERENCE Typically, each day of a research conference begins with keynote presentations. Keynotes speakers are seasoned researchers or clinicians that can speak to a large body of research done throughout their careers, highlighting trends pursued, conclusions drawn, and questions left unanswered. Often, keynote speeches are exhortative, posing new theories and concepts in an attempt to incite debate and encourage future inquiry into promising, yet controversial theories or concepts. At the Highlighting conference, two keynote presentations began each day, followed by a 45-minute break for networking and viewing poster sessions. Poster sessions provide opportunities to view summaries of research presented on poster board using a visual format and connect with the researchers one-on-one. Posters often represent smaller studies—surveys, case reports, and pilot studies—and discussion is important for the evolution of these smaller studies into larger projects. At Highlighting, clinicians were able to glean treatment- planning concepts from a number of posters regarding working with seniors, burn survivors, cancer patients, and even enhancing the golf swing. Panel presentations are a useful tool for provoking discussion and often raise many more questions than answers. This was certainly true for the panels that ended each morning session at Highlighting. Several calls for action were put forth, raising the issue of funding for whole systems research methods—emphasizing research methods other than the connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 117