Diener I. Physiotherapy support for self-management of persisting musculoskeletal pain disorders.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY 2021;
77:1564. [PMID:
34859158 PMCID:
PMC8603210 DOI:
10.4102/sajp.v77i1.1564]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Musculoskeletal pain (MSKP) is an extremely common pain disorder in almost all populations. Self-management (SM) support is a programme to prepare people to self-manage their health condition effectively, while maintaining quality of life. SM is a cost-effective and context-specific strategy to address the global public health burden.
OBJECTIVES
Self-management needs a change in behaviour from seeking unnecessary medical care to safely self-managing symptoms. As changing individuals' behaviour is challenging, the objective of my literature review was to identify the characteristics, in both therapist and patient, to successfully engage in SM.
METHOD
A narrative literature review, that could inform evidence-based support programmes for SM of MSKP.
RESULTS
Studies on successful implementation of SM of MSKP do not report strong outcomes. However, in more recent years a few positive outcomes were reported, possibly as a result of research evidence for the application of psychosocial skills and contemporary pain neuroscience in the management of persistent MSKP.
CONCLUSION
Psychologically-informed physiotherapy, addressing psychosocial barriers to the maintenance of SM programmes, could facilitate more successful outcomes.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Before engaging in a SM support programme, obstacles to behaviour change must be identified and addressed in a SM support programme, to facilitate individuals towards taking safe responsibility for their healthcare. Therapists working with patients with persistent MSKP, should upskill themselves to be in line with the latest pain and psychosocial research literature. Moreover, communication skills training seems to be a priority for effective SM support programmes.
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