Suggestions for Future Sustainability

Abstract

Background: Cognitive Muscular TherapyTM (CMT) is an integrated behavioural intervention developed for knee osteoarthritis. CMT teaches patients to reconceptualise the condition, integrates muscle biofeedback and aims to reduce muscle overactivity, both in response to pain and during daily activities. This nested qualitative study explored patient and physiotherapist perspectives and experiences of CMT.Methods: Five physiotherapists were trained to follow a well-defined protocol and then delivered CMT to at least two patients with knee osteoarthritis. Each patient received seven individual clinical sessions and was provided with access to online learning materials incorporating animated videos. Semi-structured interviews took place after delivery/completion of the intervention and data were analysed at the patient and physiotherapist level.Results: Five physiotherapists and five patients were interviewed. All described a process of changing beliefs throughout their engagement with CMT. A framework with three phases was developed to organise the data according to how osteoarthritis was conceptualised and how this changed throughout their interactions with CMT. Firstly, was an identification of pain beliefs to be challenged and recognition of how current beliefs can misalign with daily experiences. Secondly was a process of challenging and changing beliefs, validated through new experiences. Finally, there was an embedding of changed beliefs into self-management to continue with activities. Conclusion:This study identified a range of psychological changes which occur during exposure to CMT. These changes enabled patients to reconceptualise their condition, develop a new understanding of their body, understand psychological processes, and make sense of their knee pain.

Dooyeweerd’s Understanding of Meaning (2)

“…The metaphorical idea of an ocean of meaningfulness (#6) implies that our responsibility extends beyond human beings to all creation. This offers a sound philosophical basis for environmental responsibility (Brandon and Lombardi 2005;Basden 2017).…”

“…Other fields where a Dooyeweerdian approach has brought clarity include statistics (Hartley 2008), tacit knowledge (Kimani 2017), sustainability (Brandon and Lombardi 2005;Gunton et al 2017;Basden 2017), and technology (Verkerk et al 2015).…”