Cognitive Behavioral Physical Therapy
Cognitive behavioral physical therapy (CBT) is a treatment option available to help those living with chronic pain manage their condition more effectively. CBT involves several techniques or interventions and has been found highly successful when integrated into an physiotherapy treatment plan.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is often combined with other more conventional therapies for a holistic approach to pain management, as it has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on activity pacing, sleep hygiene, pain perception, disability mood and catastrophizing.
Evidence suggests that incorporating psychological treatments into standard physical therapy practices can be beneficial to older patients with chronic pain. Not only do these methods promote physical health, but they also improve patients’ quality of life and reduce reliance on pharmaceutical medications.
CBT’s effectiveness in treating musculoskeletal pain has been well-studied. Clinical trials have demonstrated that patients who receive both physiotherapy and CBT are more likely to remain pain free over time.
Physical therapists are already trained in a range of therapeutic methods, but there has been an escalating interest recently in incorporating CBT into their practice. This trend is especially evident among newly qualified physiotherapists who seek to expand their understanding of psychological approaches.
Though CBT is a widely accepted concept, there are still obstacles to implementation in the physiotherapy setting. These could include lack of therapist training, time constraints and reimbursement concerns. Therefore, this study sought to determine whether there were specific factors that predicted physical therapist interest in incorporating CBT into their practice.
A nationwide telephone survey was conducted to investigate how often physical therapists use CBT components when treating older adults with chronic pain. Participants were asked for information about their practice setting, patient population treated, level of education and experience in treating this group of patients.
Results show that a minority of physical therapists use some CBT techniques when treating older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The most frequently implemented interventions included teaching patients to pace themselves and encouraging them to partake in pleasurable pursuits.
Therapists must take into account the individual needs of their patients and customize their interventions to fit. This can be accomplished by discussing with the patient the underlying cause of their discomfort, as well as setting specific aims or objectives they hope to attain during their sessions.
This information is then utilized to craft a realistic treatment plan that will assist the patient in reaching their objectives and overcoming any difficulties they are facing. Furthermore, it’s essential that the therapist provides empathy, warmth, and genuine regard throughout each session while teaching them how to become active participants in their own recovery process.