A QUALITY CARE EVALUATION OF ARMY RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS CADETS’ ATTITUDES AND EXPERIENCES WHEN PARTICIPATING IN A DIRECT ACCESS INTERVENTIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY/ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAM

Abstract

Objectives: Physical therapy interventions have been proven to reduce pain and injury recurrence. In this study, I examine the experiences of Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets within a physical therapy intervention program. Study Design: Cross-sectional design. Methods: I used a survey to determine the experiences and attitudes towards physical therapy/athletic training treatments in a population of 16 college-age full-time Army ROTC cadets at the University of Arizona. Respondents evaluated their overall physical therapy experiences regarding their perceived treatment efficacy in pain reduction, overall quality of physical therapy treatment, and likelihood to participate in the program again. The survey data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: All of the respondents rated the interventions as very effective or extremely effective in reducing their pain. Of the cadets surveyed, 75% reported they were very satisfied or extremely satisfied with their overall treatment experience. Eighty-three percent responded that they were likely or extremely likely to attend the program again. Conclusion: This research suggests that a physical therapy/athletic training intervention program may be successful in reducing injury-related pain of Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets. In order to confirm the results of this thesis, additional studies with more rigorous research designs focused on the efficacy of therapeutic interventions are needed.