Research in Rehabilitation

Abstract

The paper deals with applying principles of evidence-based medicine in performance of research studies in rehabilitation, its requirements for the researchers. It is emphasized that research in rehabilitation is characterized by unique features as its results depend on many factors: medical, social, technical, economical. The significance of qualitative and quantitative investigations is emphasized in the evidence practice. It is shown that evaluation of clinical efficacy of the physical factors is possible when the method and area of application, the power of the factors, dosage, the number of the application sessions per week, and the duration of treatment are known. The purpose of this article was to review scientific research carried out in rehabilitation, and emphasize their significance on the final results of rehabilitation. In 1969 WHO experts defined rehabilitation as “the combined and co-ordinated use of medical, social, educational, and vocational measures for training and re-training the individual to the highest possible level of functional ability”. To achieve this purpose, specialists of rehabilitation team must use scientific methods, technologies, and means. Important decision evaluating after-effects of diseases, traumas and disabilities at bio-psychosocial point of view was made in 2001 by WHO after adaptation of the “International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health”. Definition such as “Evidence-based medicine” is defined as one of most important area of the development of medicine. It outspread quickly in the world of medicine, but now more often was changed to a more comprehensive term as “Evidencebased practice”. Evidence-based practice involves scientific information and information received from patients and their family members. In this way it is possible to get scientific evidence from a vast number of scientific studies from all over the world. Scientific studies in rehabilitation are unique because they depend on many factors: medical, technical, social, and economical. The paper emphasizes the significance of qualitative and quantitative studies in the practice of evidence-based medicine. It should be noted that evaluation of clinical effectiveness of physical factors is explicable when the method and area of application, the power of the factor, dosage, the number of the application sessions per week, and the duration of treatment are known. Evidence-based medicine is important for all rehabilitation
specialists and team members. In practice we can prove effectiveness of rehabilitation methods and means by applying principles of evidence-based medicine correctly.

Keywords: rehabilitation, evidence-based medicine, research.