Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/77424
common profile. A literature search on the presenting condition is conducted in advance of the treatment and influences the clinical decision-making (evidence- informed practice). Assessment protocols are predetermined, and results are carefully measured and tracked over time. The treatment plan is also predetermined but can be modified if documented based on the client's progress and preferences. Retrospective reports are identified and compiled after the sessions have been completed. Perhaps after reading this article you are prompted to tell a client story from last year, one that taught you much about relieving chronic pain. It is acceptable to go back into your files to write up the sessions with Sophia, the feisty 75-year-old with osteoarthritis. This requires the consistent use of measurement tools and clear chart notes or progress reports that describe clinical reasoning and the methods of care provided. CASE REPORT STRUCTURE When you are ready to begin writing, follow this outline: • Title, Acknowledgements. • Abstract. • Introduction. • Methods. • Results. • Discussion/Conclusion. • References. The title of a case report succinctly describes the study, including who, how, why, and what happened. In the title "Manual lymphatic drainage and movement reeducation therapy is used to delay knee replacement surgery in an active older adult female with osteoarthritis of the knee: A case report," the client (who) is described as an active older adult female. The intervention (how) is a combination of manual lymphatic drainage and movement reeducation therapy. The condition (why) is osteoarthritis of the knee. The outcome (what happened) is delaying knee replacement surgery. I recommend writing the title early on. It is a great way to identify the parameters of the study and clarify your intent. If the title doesn't get you excited, pick another topic. Acknowledgements are made on the title page of a case report. It is acceptable practice to involve others in conducting research, case reports included. You may enlist the help of a colleague, teacher, or mentor to assist you with your literature search, help you design the treatment plan, or edit your paper. Space is provided to thank those who contributed to the development of the project or the paper's revisions. The abstract summarizes the study and must be organized using a standard format. Abstracts commonly include the purpose of the study, methods, results, conclusions, and keywords. The abstract follows the standard structure for the case report itself and simply retells the highlights of the study in an abbreviated format. This cannot be written until the paper is complete. Keywords are the only part of an abstract not found in the paper itself and are used to help with database searches. List words that will help people find your case report. In the example above, the words massage therapy are not in the title, so should be listed as keywords. Chronic pain is also not mentioned in the title, but it is a debilitating aspect of osteoarthritis and would be a helpful search term as well. The introduction describes the purpose of the study, providing background information on the condition or technique, and states the hypothesis—why massage is reasonable and potentially beneficial for the client. In the example above, the introduction would include the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, demographic information on the earn CE hours at your convenience: abmp's online education center, www.abmp.com 117