Differences in Instructions and Feedback Used by Physical Therapists and Students during Gait Training

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify differences in instructions and feedback used by physical therapists and students during gait training. [Participants and Methods] Ten physical therapists and 8 university students conducted gait training with a simulated patient, and completed self-evaluations before and after viewing video recordings of their sessions. We analyzed the frequency of instruction- and feedback-related indices from the videos. [Results] Physical therapists gave instructions and feedback more frequently than students. Students’ self-evaluation scores after viewing the videos were significantly lower than those of physical therapists. [Conclusion] Physical therapists tended to use instructions with an internal focus and provide feedback more frequently compared to students.