Experiences of Psychologically informed Physiotherapy (EX-PIP)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Qualitative Exploration of the experiences of psychologically informed physiotherapy in a chronic pain population attending a pain rehabilitation unit.
IRAS ID
308997
Contact name
Leila Heelas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
People living with pain report that pain affects many areas of life such as work, function, sleep and emotions. A psychologically informed approach is used in treatment services for people with long term pain. This physiotherapy is commonly used for people with persistent pain because many people report that their emotional wellbeing is affected by long-term pain.
The aim of the research is to improve understanding of people’s experiences of psychologically informed physiotherapy. Physiotherapists using this approach will ask patients about how pain has affected them, what has already been tried and what physiotherapy treatment should focus on. Psychologically informed physiotherapy includes skills such as stress management, values-based goal setting, problem-solving, discussing and re-framing concerns about health with the aim of improving emotional wellbeing.
Little is known about patient’s experiences of this treatment. In this study we aim to use interviews and focus groups to find out more about this. Focus groups are similar to interviews but involve interviewing a small number of people together. The participants in the focus groups and interviews will have previously attended Optimise Pain Rehabilitation Unit.
We will show photographs to participants in the study and ask them to select pictures that summarise their experiences of psychologically informed physiotherapy. We will then ask participants to explain why they have chosen these pictures. This method will help us to understand what has gone well in treatment as way of improving future physiotherapy services. We will also ask about any concerns about treatment.
We will conduct video, audio and written interviews. The information will be used to:
• to support quality improvement in healthcare
• To inform questions used in focus groups
• To train other health care professionals
• To write research papers
We will ask focus groups participants about ideas (themes) that have been raised in the interviews.Summary of Results:
Plain English Summary People living with pain report that pain affects many areas of life such as work, function, sleep and emotions. A psychologically-informed approach is used in treatment services for people with long term pain. This physiotherapy is commonly used for people with persistent pain because many people report that their emotional wellbeing is affected by long-term pain.
The aim of the research is to improve understanding of people’s experiences of psychologically-informed physiotherapy. Physiotherapists using this approach will ask patients about how pain has affected them, what has already been tried and what physiotherapy treatment should focus on. Psychologically-informed physiotherapy includes skills such as stress management, values-based goal setting, problem-solving, discussing and re-framing concerns about health with the aim of improving emotional wellbeing.
Little is known about patient’s experiences of this treatment. In this study used interviews to find out more about this. The participants in the study had previously attended Optimise Pain Rehabilitation Unit.
Before the interviews, we asked participants to take or bring some photographs that summarise their experiences of psychologically-informed physiotherapy to use as stimulus materials. We asked participants to explain why they had chosen these pictures. This method allowed us to understand what has gone well in treatment as way of improving future physiotherapy services. We also asked about any concerns about treatment.
14 participants were interviewed, they were mainly women 13/ 14 (87%), mean age was 52 (range 28-84), ethnicity was recorded as Mixed (1/14, 7%), Other – not stated (5/14 36%) , White British (5/14 36%) , White Other (3/14 21%).
All participants, except one had experienced multi-professional group rehabilitation and had received an assessment and individual treatment with an advanced practice physiotherapist specialising in chronic pain.Main themes identified were that mind and body recovery was embraced, physiotherapists created a safe space to talk and to move, social elements of the group mediated acceptance, the team were knowledgeable and compassionate, rehabilitation fostered self-kindness and empowerment, surprising elements of rehabilitation resulted in opportunities for learning and behaviour change.
This knowledge can be used to support physiotherapists in providing person-centred care for people living with chronic pain.REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0489
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion