Description and Classification--The Cornerstones of Pathokinesiological Research

• Published in: Physical therapy Vol. 66; no. 3; pp. 379 - 381
• Main Author: Rose, Steven J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.1986
• Subjects: Humans; Movement; Movement Disorders - classification; Movement Disorders - therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Terminology as Topic
• ISSN: 0031-9023; 1538-6724
• DOI: 10.1093/ptj/66.3.379

Dr. Rose is Director, Program in Physical Therapy, and Co-Director, Department of Physical Therapy, Irene Walter Johnson Institute of Rehabilitation, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8083, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 (USA). This excerpt was created in the absence of an abstract. Historically, the body of knowledge in most science-based disciplines has been developed by initially focusing investigative efforts on observing and describing phenomena of interest. 1–3 Subsequent to the initial observation and description, refinements were suggested and, eventually, consensus was achieved regarding specific observations. Finally, the observed phenomena were arranged according to systematic rules into classes or groups. I believe we should adopt this model, which has been effective in other disciplines, and commit ourselves to the objectives of observing, describing, and classifying pathokinesiological phenomena that exist in the patients we serve. Our efforts then should provide us with a clinically relevant body of knowledge and substance from which theories regarding treatment can evolve. FUNDAMENTAL TASKS In the process of describing and classifying disorders of movement, we will need to establish rigorous methods of investigation and experimentation that will enable us to define our observations unquestionably... Key Words: Pathokinesiology • Physical therapy CiteULike     Complore     Connotea     Del.icio.us     Digg     Reddit     Technorati     What's this?