Physiotherapists’ experiences of internet-based neck-specific exercises for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders
Objective Neck-specific exercises for individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) have shown promising results, but there is also a need for more efficient and flexible ways of rehabilitation, such as use of digital health tools. Understanding physiotherapists’ experiences of an int...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Digital Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231159181 |
| _version_ | 1827996860412854272 |
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| author | Emma Nilsing Strid Frida Gustafson Anneli Peolsson Anna Hermansen |
| author_facet | Emma Nilsing Strid Frida Gustafson Anneli Peolsson Anna Hermansen |
| author_sort | Emma Nilsing Strid |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective Neck-specific exercises for individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) have shown promising results, but there is also a need for more efficient and flexible ways of rehabilitation, such as use of digital health tools. Understanding physiotherapists’ experiences of an internet-based tool may help to improve digital tools within physiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to describe how physiotherapists’ experience an internet-based neck-specific exercise program for patients with chronic WAD. Methods This study has a qualitative design. Focus group discussions were held with physiotherapists who have been treating patients with chronic WAD, using an internet-based neck-specific exercises program in a randomized controlled multi-center trial in south and central Sweden. Three focus groups were held with three participants in each group. Phenomenography was applied as a research approach for data analysis. Results One main category was identified as “internet-based program as a complement to regular rehabilitation,” with five descriptive sub-categories: (a) support in patient work; (b) usefulness based on a patient's prerequisites and preferences; (c) physiotherapist and patient interaction; (d) increasing efficiency in rehabilitation; and (e) enabling patient participation, autonomy and self-management. Conclusions From a physiotherapy perspective, an internet-based program could work as a method of complementary support to the standard rehabilitation treatment for patients with chronic WAD, as long as it is interactive and adjustable to the individual. The internet-based program could lead to increased autonomy and self-efficacy, and save resources and time for physiotherapists and patients. Further, more research is needed to strengthen these digital tools within the healthcare system. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:17:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-46b8f82d3c9940a98c7be43799adafb5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-2076 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:17:59Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Digital Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-46b8f82d3c9940a98c7be43799adafb52023-03-08T13:03:35ZengSAGE PublishingDigital Health2055-20762023-03-01910.1177/20552076231159181Physiotherapists’ experiences of internet-based neck-specific exercises for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disordersEmma Nilsing Strid0Frida Gustafson1Anneli Peolsson2Anna Hermansen3 University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden Sportrehab Sports Medicine Clinic, Gothenburg, Sweden Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, SwedenObjective Neck-specific exercises for individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) have shown promising results, but there is also a need for more efficient and flexible ways of rehabilitation, such as use of digital health tools. Understanding physiotherapists’ experiences of an internet-based tool may help to improve digital tools within physiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to describe how physiotherapists’ experience an internet-based neck-specific exercise program for patients with chronic WAD. Methods This study has a qualitative design. Focus group discussions were held with physiotherapists who have been treating patients with chronic WAD, using an internet-based neck-specific exercises program in a randomized controlled multi-center trial in south and central Sweden. Three focus groups were held with three participants in each group. Phenomenography was applied as a research approach for data analysis. Results One main category was identified as “internet-based program as a complement to regular rehabilitation,” with five descriptive sub-categories: (a) support in patient work; (b) usefulness based on a patient's prerequisites and preferences; (c) physiotherapist and patient interaction; (d) increasing efficiency in rehabilitation; and (e) enabling patient participation, autonomy and self-management. Conclusions From a physiotherapy perspective, an internet-based program could work as a method of complementary support to the standard rehabilitation treatment for patients with chronic WAD, as long as it is interactive and adjustable to the individual. The internet-based program could lead to increased autonomy and self-efficacy, and save resources and time for physiotherapists and patients. Further, more research is needed to strengthen these digital tools within the healthcare system.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231159181 |
| spellingShingle | Emma Nilsing Strid Frida Gustafson Anneli Peolsson Anna Hermansen Physiotherapists’ experiences of internet-based neck-specific exercises for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders Digital Health |
| title | Physiotherapists’ experiences of internet-based neck-specific exercises for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders |
| title_full | Physiotherapists’ experiences of internet-based neck-specific exercises for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders |
| title_fullStr | Physiotherapists’ experiences of internet-based neck-specific exercises for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physiotherapists’ experiences of internet-based neck-specific exercises for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders |
| title_short | Physiotherapists’ experiences of internet-based neck-specific exercises for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders |
| title_sort | physiotherapists experiences of internet based neck specific exercises for patients with chronic whiplash associated disorders |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231159181 |
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