. 2009 Mar 19;2(1):8–16. doi: 10.3822/ijtmb.v2i1.37

Table 3.

Example: Applying the Framework to Research

In undertaking a study on the effects of massage therapy (MT) after a knee replacement surgery, the physical changes related to the degree of swelling and pain are both important outcomes. Referring to the Framework of Outcome Domains, other domains that may be important to consider in researching the effects of MT is Context of the intervention and Individualized outcomes (Fig. 2). The relationship between the patient and the massage therapist, the patient’s expectations of MT, and the intention with which the massage therapist approaches the treatment may all affect the overall effectiveness of MT in reducing the swelling and pain levels in different patients.

Browsing the Context domain, a number of measures that aim to capture the effects of these contextual factors can be identified, as such the Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure⁽²⁰⁾ and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Beliefs Inventory⁽²¹⁾. Although outcomes related to pain and swelling are important and likely to be the primary focus of the effectiveness of the MT intervention, the goals and concerns identified by the individual are equally important and require consideration. By considering individualized outcome measures listed in the Individualized domain, important outcomes of the massage intervention that would have otherwise been missed or not recognized may be identified.

For example, an individual may indicate that pain in the low back (because of a compensatory gait resulting from knee surgery) is of greater significance to them than is the affected knee. Without incorporating the goals or concerns of the individual, this outcome would have been overlooked and not have been considered to be one of the relevant or meaningful outcomes of MT after a knee replacement surgery.