NDTA Research Committee
The purpose of the NDTA Research Committee is the establishment and recognition of the NDT Practice Model – through research – as evidence-based practice.Committee representation is a balance of instructors, clinicians, and academicians with C/NDT; PT/OT/SLP members; and members representing both pediatrics and adults.
Ideas, questions, discussion, and new members are always welcome!
Contact Kate Bain: kathrynmbain@gmail.com
Initiatives and Task Forces
As opportunities present, aligned with interests of members of the NDTA Research Committee and the NDTA Strategic Priorities, various initiatives and task forces are created within the NDTA Research Committee. Current task forces are listed below. This is not a comprehensive list as committee members are often working on smaller projects aligned with the NDTA Committee Goals and NDTA Strategic Priorities.
The $ Million Team
This task force, within the NDTA Board of Directors and the NDTA Research Committee, aims to strategically develop ways of financial support toward larger scale quality research initiatives with potential for publication. This task force is working on ideas of how to procure funds, how to support research designs, and how to support research processes toward potential grant opportunities.
Bridge Builders
The Bridge Builders group aims to generate interest in conducting clinical research among NDT certified clinicians. They are creating a community of support and mentoring for NDTA members engaging in clinical research through zoom meetings, held approximately 4 times per year. These meetings are both informational and offer opportunity for networking. This group is also offering resources to assist members in creating a publishable case study report and poster to promote their research. Posters from the Bridge Builders are invited for submission to the 2025 NDTA Annual Conference Poster Prize Competition.
Research Articles Summaries Project (2014-2020)
The NDTA Contemporary Practice Model is a task oriented approach informed by current and evolving evidence. Intervention using the NDTA Contemporary Practice Model applies the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model and a problem solving approach to address individual participation level goals of our clients. Task related posture and movement behaviours as established through the ICF are addressed through multimodal and graded treatment strategies. The NDTA Contemporary Practice Model may be applied throughout the lifespan to enable participation in meaningful activities.
Fidelity Measure Task Force
This task force is working toward development of a measurement tool that can objectify adherence to the NDT Practice Model. The aim is for this tool to be applicable to examining published literature or for peer-to-peer self-study.
Examining the Evidence
The NDTA Research Committee has created a few documents that summarize the available published literature in support of the NDT Practice Model. Their most recent summary of the evidence can be found HERE, and past article reviews HERE.
Past Initiatives and Task Forces
Some of the past initiatives and task forces that have completed their work have included
Outcome Measures Working Group
This group investigated outcome measures that could be helpful to objectively measure change in client function when applying the NDT Practice Model.
Information for Clinicians Interested in Doing Research
Members of this task force gathered to strategically and pragmatically consider how our committee could offer support to NDTA members who were interested in doing research. Many options, including mentorship opportunities, were contemplated and the result was development of an inventory of helpful resources which can be found on the linked webpage Research Resources. Through the work of this task force, the Bridge Builders initiative was also established.
The Research Committee has compiled this list of resources that may be helpful to new researchers. We intend for this list to develop further as more resources are discovered and recommended.