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EUROPEAN SHIATSU FEDERATION RESEARCH PROPOSAL.

Introduction.

This project aims to study the user profile and the benefits of shiatsu treatment across 10 european countries, plus a framework to assist in it's public and legal recognition.

Project Aims.

  1. to establish independently that shiatsu is a safe and effective practice
  2. to identify who uses shiatsu and for what presenting reasons.
  3. to study the wider quality of life benefits and range of effects for receivers.
  4. to show the integrity of shiatsu as health promotion, and health-care method, and to study its benefits for national health-care systems.
  5. to study the legal, health policy and practice contexts in which shiatsu is provided and how these impact on provision and availability.
  6. to develop a framework of key areas for assessment and evaluation for E.U. and National policy makers to contribute to the formal recognition of shiatsu .

Participation/Methodology.

Between 10 and 50 Practitioners in each of 10 countries will voluntarily recruit up to 20 new clients over a period of 6 months to participate in the study. Both Practitioner and client will relate their experience through questionnaires devised to address the aims above. The Practitioner will be paid by the client in the ordinary way. The questionnaires will be tested initially with a representative group of practitioners for its capacity to illuminate the unique attributes of shiatsu .

The Research Process

Time Scale

Key Data Collection Items

At First Session

Presenting problems

User characteristics

Practitioner characteristics

During and at End of Course of Treatment

Treatment details

Health status and quality of life effects

Other effects

Care and cost effects for health system

At 3 Months After the End of Course of Treatment.

Longer term health status and quality of life effects and other effects

Collaboration.

There will be at least 3 research Partners from three different countries along with the E.S.F. and the University Of Salford to carry out the study of shiatsu practice, the development of the framework, the legal aspects and the dissemination of the results.

Results Dissemination.

  • The results will be made available to all Practitioners through the National Associations.
  • A report will be published in the relevant scientific and complementary medicine journals as well as articles in all relevant media.
  • An International Workshop will be held on the Guidelines for Policy on Complementary practices. This will include Officials from the European Commission and from National Governments.
  • The results will form the basis of further research and will inform representations to official bodies.