Ep256: 'How To Read A Research Paper' with special guest Ben Cormack

The tagline of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, heard at the beginning of every episode, is "Putting The Evidence Back Into Soft Tissue Therapy". One way of becoming more evidence informed is to keep up with the latest research, but how easy is it to understand a research paper, to be able to judge its quality, reliability, and significance in what we practice in clinic? In this episode, host Matt Phillips, freshly back from the recent 'Hands On Hub & STA Conference' in Exmouth, is joined by special guest Ben Cormack, founder of Cor-Kinetic, and co-founder of the Better Clinician Project. Ben explains how clinicians can approach and interpret research papers, breaking them down into study types (RCTs, observational, systematic reviews), key method checkpoints (sample size calculations, blinding, recruitment), and how to read results (p‑values, effect sizes, between‑group vs within‑group changes). It's a super valuable listen to any soft tissue therapist who finds the idea of reading a research paper slightly daunting, and also help the already confident therapist go a little deeper into potential red flags that suggest how the study could have been done better.  The episode also gives information on Cor-Kinetic courses, including the online 'Mentorship Program' that starts on September 29th, and 'The Better Clinician Project'.   Ben Cormack is a musculoskeletal therapist with a clinical background/qualification in sports therapy, rehabilitation & exercise,  stretching back over 20 years, with a special interest in pain and its relation to movement. His Cor-Kinetic courses have run in over 25 countries globally, working with individual health care professionals, clinics, health services & hospitals, elite sports teams & pain services/organisations.  Chapter Markers 00:00:18 - Welcome to Episode 256 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast 00:01:28 - Reflecting on the Hands On Hub & STA Conference 00:02:28 - Supporting Evidence-Based Practice 00:03:38 - Introducing Ben Cormack 00:04:31 - How to approach Read a Research Paper 00:05:48 - Challenges of Understanding Research 00:09:10 - Identifying Quality Research Papers 00:09:54 - The Importance of Evidence in Therapy 00:11:21 - Diving into Research Methodology 00:21:37 - Understanding Research Results 00:44:10 - Discussing Research Limitations 00:53:50 - Announcing Cor-kinetic Mentorship Programs 00:57:50 - Closing Remarks and Future Events Useful Links Cor-Kinetic Website Instagram: @Corkinetic Facebook: @Corkinetic Next Podcast Episode: 8pm Tuesday September 30th: 'Reflection On The Hands On Hub & STA Conference' with Anna Maria Mazzieri, Andy Hosgood and Gary Benson.   Interested in joining the STA? Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12!  Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.