# Learning Together: Advancing Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Through BIP Week

> Based on evidence of effective teaching methods, we designed a BIP course to enable physiotherapy students to deepen their understanding of evidence-based physiotherapy in an international learning environment.

## Overview of the BIP Course
Evidence-Based Physical Therapy (EBP) integrates the best research evidence with clinical expertise and user preferences to provide effective care. During week 44 of 2025, an international course was held at the Faculty of Physiotherapy at the University of A Coruña, Spain. 

The program involved over 30 students and 9 teachers from six universities:
* Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
* Universidade da Coruña, Spain
* Charles University, Czech Republic
* CERRFF, France
* École D´Assas, France
* Escola de Santa María de O Porto, Portugal

The curriculum combined lectures, virtual meetings, and international group work, focusing on research methodology, critical appraisal, and the application of EBP across various physiotherapy fields, including neurology, respiratory care, musculoskeletal disorders, geriatrics, pediatrics, and sports injuries.

## Student Research and Clinical Topics

### Women’s Health
Students focused on pelvic pathologies and abdominal diastasis. They identified relevant scientific literature, analyzed the evidence, and completed a learning assignment on the effectiveness of supervised versus online rehabilitation. (Porubčanská et al. 2025.)

### Infancy and NICU Care
This team investigated evidence-based practices in neonatal care. Their project resulted in a blog article discussing non-pharmacological pain management strategies for preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). (Hvězdová et al. 2025.)

### Neurology and Stroke
The group explored guided self-rehabilitation for post-stroke hemiparesis, specifically focusing on deforming spastic paresis and the potential benefits of intensive training and self-stretching. Additionally, students examined the impact of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) on the quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease. (Kuokkanen et al. 2025.)

### Sports Physiotherapy
* **ACL Injuries:** An international team conducted a mini systematic review comparing operative versus conservative treatment for ACL ruptures in male athletes. Using the PEDro scale to assess four randomized controlled trials, they found that early reconstruction does not provide significant functional benefits over structured rehabilitation. (Aalto et al. 2025.)
* **Ankle Sprains:** Students compared the efficacy of Kinesio taping versus neuromuscular electrical stimulation for reducing swelling. (Josefusová et al. 2025.)

### Respiratory Physiotherapy
The program addressed asthma management, emphasizing respiratory physiotherapy, exercise, and patient education. Students also explored high-intensity interval training for patients with respiratory diseases. (Vilanova-Pereira et al. 2025; Saastamoinen et al. 2025.)

### Musculoskeletal and Geriatric Care
* **Low Back Pain:** Students applied a clinical model for evidence-based decision-making, focusing on mechanical diagnosis and therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain. (Lam et al. 2018; George et al. 2021.)
* **Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction:** Students reviewed evidence regarding resistance training and orthoses. (Khida et al. 2025.)
* **Older Adults:** Research focused on the benefits of walking and Nordic walking for functional capacity, fall prevention, and cognitive health in older populations. (Ayivi et al. 2025.)

## Authors
* **Marja Äijö**, PT, PhD, Principal Lecturer of gerontology and rehabilitation, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Kuopio, Finland.
* **Dagmar Pavlu**, PT, Assoc. Prof., Charles University, Czech Republic.
* **Ivana Vláčilová**, PhD, PT, Charles University, Czech Republic.
* **Veronica Robles García**, PhD, PT, OT, Associate Professor, University of A Coruña, Spain.
* **Zeltia Naia Entonado**, PhD, PT, University of A Coruña, Spain.
* **María Vilanova Pereira**, PhD, PT, University of A Coruña, Spain.
* **Adrien Pallot**, PT, MSc, Lecturer at École D´Assas, France.
* **Aurel Bellaïche**, PT, Lecturer at CEERRF, France.

## References
* Aalto S, et al. (2025). Is operative approach to ACL rupture better than conservative on athletes coming back to sports?
* Ayivi A, et al. (2025). How does exercise training affect walking ability in elderly.
* Boshnjaku A, et al. (2023). Improving the Evidence-Based Practice Skills of Entry-Level Physiotherapy Students through Educational Interventions: A Scoping Review of Literature. *Int J Environ Res Public Health*.
* Bullo V, et al. (2017). Nordic walking can be incorporated in the exercise prescription to increase aerobic capacity, strength, and quality of life for elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Rejuvenation Research*.
* Connor L, et al. (2023). Evidence-based practice improves patient outcomes and healthcare system return on investment: Findings from a scoping review. *Worldviews Evid Based Nurs*.
* Diaz H. (2024). Physiotherapy in Clinical Research: Optimizing Patient Outcomes through Evidence-Based Practices. *J Clin Res Bioeth*.
* Frobell RB, et al. (2010). A randomized trial of treatment for acute anterior cruciate ligament tears. *The New England journal of medicine*.
* Gault-Colas C, et al. (2024). Exceptional improvement in chronic stroke through Guided Self-rehabilitation Contract: a case report study. *Front Rehabil Sci*.
* George SZ, et al. (2021). Interventions for the Management of Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Revision 2021. *J Orthop Sports Phys Ther*.
* Haynes RB, et al. (1996). Transferring evidence from research into practice: 1. The role of clinical care research evidence in clinical decisions. *BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine*.
* Hvězdová N, et al. (2025). What physiotherapy interventions are available to reduce pain in premature infants during their hospitalization in NICU’s?
* Josefusová K, et al. (2025). Kinesio Taping vs. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation: Which Is Better for Reducing Ankle Sprain Swelling?
* Khida A, et al. (2025). Effectiveness of Resistance Training Plus Orthoses in Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction.
* Kuokkanen A, et al. (2025). What are the Effects of LSVT BIG Treatment on Quality of Life Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease Patients?
* Lam OT, et al. (2018). Effectiveness of the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy for Treating Low Back Pain: Literature Review With Meta-analysis. *The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy*.
* Li H, et al. (2025). The effects of Nordic walking on cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience*.
* Long A, et al. (2004). Does it matter which exercise? A randomized control trial of exercise for low back pain. *Spine*.
* Meuffels DE, et al. (2009). Ten year follow-up study comparing conservative versus operative treatment of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. *British journal of sports medicine*.
* Nielsen LD, et al. (2024). Interventions, methods and outcome measures used in teaching evidence-based practice to healthcare students: an overview of systematic reviews. *BMC Med Educ*.
* Porubčanská V, et al. (2025). Effectiveness of Supervised versus Online Pelvic Floor and Core Rehabilitation in Postpartum Women with Diastasis Recti.
* Pradines M, et al. (2019). Ultrasound Structural Changes in Triceps Surae After a 1-Year Daily Self-stretch Program: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial in Chronic Hemiparesis. *Neurorehabil Neural Repair*.
* Reijman M, et al. (2021). Early surgical reconstruction versus rehabilitation with elective delayed reconstruction for patients with anterior cruciate ligament rupture: COMPARE randomised controlled trial. *BMJ*.
* Rubin DS, et al. (2025). Walking cadence as a measure of activity intensity and impact on functional capacity for prefrail and frail older adults. *PLOS ONE*.
* Saastamoinen M, et al. (2025). The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Respiratory Diseases.
* Satterfield JM, et al. (2009). Toward a transdisciplinary model of evidence-based practice. *The Milbank quarterly*.
* Skórkowska-Telichowska K, et al. (2016). Nordic walking in the second half of life. *Aging Clinical and Experimental Research*.
* Tschentscher M, et al. (2013). Health benefits of Nordic walking: A systematic review. *American Journal of Preventive Medicine*.
* Ungvari Z, et al. (2023). The multifaceted benefits of walking for healthy aging: from Blue Zones to molecular mechanisms. *GeroScience*.
* Vecchio M, et al. (2017). Change in Coefficient of Fatigability Following Rapid, Repetitive Movement Training in Post-Stroke Spastic Paresis: A Prospective Open-Label Observational Study. *J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis*.
* van Yperen DT, et al. (2018). Twenty-Year Follow-up Study Comparing Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures in High-Level Athletes. *The American journal of sports medicine*.
* Vilanova-Pereira M, et al. (2015). The Role of Physiotherapy in Optimising Asthma Management. *Open Respiratory Archives*.