Till We Meet Again

In a series of articles in this issue, Allen proposes and tests a model of movement1; reports the validity and reliability of a self-report instrument, the Movement Ability Measure (MAM)2; and tests the responsiveness to change of the MAM on a small sample of patients.3 The multidimensional model of movement—which includes exibility, strength, accuracy, speed, adaptability, and endurance—specifies the term “movement” at the human, not cellular or molecular, level for the Movement Continuum Theory.4 As noted in Allen's discussion and in the invited commentaries by Cott and Finch, Martin, and Sullivan, the proposed model of movement has limitations, and the assessment tool has not been tested sufficiently to indicate that it is superior to other instruments such as the Outpatient Physical Therapy Improvement in Movement Assessment Log (OPTIMAL)5 or the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) “item bank” and computerized adaptive testing (CAT) assessment platform (AM-PAC-CAT).6 It is clear that we are in the initial rather than final stages of consensus about an instrument that measures outcomes affected by physical therapy intervention and that crosses medical diagnoses, systems, practice settings, acuity, and other variables. Perhaps it is time to sit in a room (real or virtual) to examine these tools and discuss the research that has to be conducted to move us forward instead of sideways. Critical to the discussion: How do these outcome tools mesh with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICD)7? Although there are more questions than answers, it is wonderful that we have reached the point of being able to compare and contrast the value of existing instruments rather than cry for the development of tools that go beyond current performance instruments. I am particularly pleased that this series follows last month's diagnosis discussion.8 Let's “hold” our attention on a variety of topics related to the human movement system and on the relevance to our professional identity. Examination and diagnosis related to the movement system are themes that we will “meet again” in PTJ. July also heralds changes in the PTJ Editorial Board that are designed to further reduce the amount of time that manuscripts spend in review. As our masthead indicates, we are moving from a 3-tiered system (review by 2 content experts, an Editorial Board member, and an Editor) to a 2-tiered system (review by 2 content experts and an Editorial Board member). We now have 22 Editorial Board members, and Steve Hanna, PhD, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, serves as our statistical consultant. New Editorial Board members Joshua A Cleland, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT, James “Cole” Galloway, PT, PhD, and Carolynn Patten, PT, PhD, add another dimension to our talented team. All 3 have completed formal postdoctoral training, have full-time academic appointments, are currently receiving funding to conduct research, have been invited to speak on numerous occasions, and have published at least 28 research papers each in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. Cleland is an Assistant Professor at Franklin Pierce College, Concord, NH. His most recent musculoskeletal research is associated with the spine. Cole is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Infant Motor Behavior Lab in the Department of Physical Therapy Biomechanics and Movement Sciences Program at the University of Delaware, Newark, Del. His content expertise includes motor control with emphasis on emerging patterns of coordination in infants and children. Patten just moved from Stanford University and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System to take a position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville. Her content expertise includes motor control in older adults, with a special interest in people who are poststroke. With regret, I report that Irene McEwen, PT, PhD, FAPTA, and Richard K Shields, PT, PhD, FAPTA, have resigned from the Editorial Board. Rich is Director and Professor, Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. He joined the Editorial Board in 2004 and did an incredible job reading a variety of manuscripts that were classified as neuromuscular content. His reviews always pulled authors into a larger perspective—helping them to consider an alternative explanation for their findings, for instance, or to consider the implications of their findings for current practice in another country. I am so pleased that his final contribution to PTJ was our special series on neuroimaging,9–12 and I am grateful that he was willing to work so long and so hard to produce such an excellent contribution to our literature. I wish him well in his new role as President of the Foundation for Physical Therapy. Irene is the George Lynn Cross Research Professor and the Ann Taylor Chair in Pediatrics and Developmental Disabilities in Physical Therapy in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City. She joined the Editorial Board in 1993, became the editor for case reports in 1995, and edited Writing Case Reports: A How-to Manual for Clinicians, first published in 1996. She has agreed to edit the third edition of the manual, which will include new templates for different types of case reports (see Information for Authors at www.ptjournal.org). Irene has served as an Editorial Board member, editor, or both on more than 500 manuscripts! She has been an extraordinary team player and is always willing to try a new strategy. Her work as one of the editors who helped “carry the load” during Editor in Chief Emeritus Jules Rothstein's last year ensured that there were monthly issues of PTJ during very difficult times. Irene is unflappable, and her patience is endless. She is remarkable. Till we meet again.

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