Joint manipulation curricula in physical therapist professional degree programs

Study Design: Descriptive observational survey. Objective: To describe the status of joint manipulation curricula within physical therapist professional degree programs in the United States, Background: Studies have described the evolution of manual therapy curricula, including spinal and extremity joint mobilization, in physical therapist professional programs, but minimal information exists related to joint manipulation curricula. Methods and Measures: Primary faculty members responsible for teaching manual therapy curricular content at the 199 physical therapist professional degree programs located in the United States recognized by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education were asked to participate in this project. The survey documented joint manipulation curricula, faculty qualifications, attitudes and experience, and programs' future plans for teaching manipulation. Results: Of the 116 programs responding to our survey, 87 (75%) currently include joint manipulation in their curriculum or plan to soon include such content in their curriculum. Of the programs currently teaching joint manipulation, 75%, taught it as part of a required integrated clinical science course. Faculty teaching manipulation content appear to be well qualified and are in clinical practice an average of 12 hours per week. The programs currently not teaching joint manipulation reported reasons, including belief that it was not an entry-level skill (45%), lack of time (26%,), lack of qualified faculty (7%), and perceived lack of scientific evidence regarding efficacy (7%,). Conclusions: Of the responding professional degree programs, 75% are either currently teaching joint manipulation or soon plan to do so. Our research may serve is a benchmark for faculty to assess existing manual therapy curricula and as a guide for developing curricula in new or existing physical therapy programs.