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PURPOSE: Activity pacing (AP) is widely used to manage chronic pain. However, recent developments in pain management do not necessarily include AP. Research has explored the experience of AP for physiotherapists who specialize in chronic pain. The innovation of this study is to build on previous research by exploring the experiences of patients and physiotherapists who do not specialize in chronic pain. METHODS: We interviewed eight patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain who had used AP and eight physiotherapists working in an out-patient department who had not specialized in chronic pain. Interviews were recorded, and transcribed verbatim and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) were used for analysis. RESULTS: We present the following themes: 1) I have tried everything and have no other place to go; 2) AP provides a tangible, physical structure that can be used flexibly; 3) working to retune the brain to a different way of life; 4) retuning the brain can pay off in the end as "less is more"; 5) working hard to connect with patients; 6) connecting with patients can be exhausting; and 7) the patient needs to be on board. CONCLUSION: AP can provide a useful vehicle for psychological change through experiential learning. It can support psychological flexibility and is not incompatible with other biopsychosocial approaches.

Original publication

DOI

10.1080/09593985.2017.1357149

Type

Journal article

Journal

Physiother theory pract

Publication Date

11/2017

Volume

33

Pages

841 - 849

Keywords

Chronic pain, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, physiotherapy, qualitative research, Adult, Aged, Chronic Pain, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Musculoskeletal Pain, Pain Management, Physical Therapy Modalities