Publication type: Article in scientific journal
Type of review: Peer review (publication)
Title: Associations between alliance, physiotherapists’ confidence in managing the patient and patient-reported distress in chronic low back pain practice
Authors: Brunner, Emanuel
Dankaerts, Wim
O’Sullivan, Kieran
Meichtry, André
Bauer, Christoph
Probst, Michel
et. al: No
DOI: 10.1080/21679169.2019.1672786
Published in: European Journal of Physiotherapy
Volume(Issue): 23
Issue: 3
Page(s): 196
Pages to: 200
Issue Date: 2019
Publisher / Ed. Institution: Taylor & Francis
ISSN: 2167-9169
2167-9177
Language: English
Subjects: Chronic pain; Low back pain; Physiotherapy; Alliance; Therapeutic relationship; Psychological factor
Subject (DDC): 615.82: Physical therapy
617.5: Orthopaedic surgery
Abstract: Purpose: Physiotherapists often feel insecure when managing patients with chronic low back pain associated with psychological factors. This uncertainty could hinder physiotherapists in fostering strong patient-therapist alliances in chronic low back pain practice. The purpose of this study was to explore associations between patient-rated alliance, physiotherapists’ self-reported confidence in managing the patient and patient-reported psychological distress. Methods: Patients with chronic low back pain (N = 21) self-reported their psychological status at baseline. After the intake session, physiotherapists self-reported their confidence (enthusiasm and competence) in managing the patient with chronic low back pain. Patient-rated alliance was measured after the third physiotherapy session. A linear mixed model estimated associations between alliance (dependent variable), physiotherapists’ confidence and patient-reported distress. Results: The linear mixed model estimated a positive interaction effect (therapist confidence × patient distress) on patient-rated alliance (estimated effect, β = 0.15; 95% Confidence Interval = 0.03–0.27). Conclusions: Higher self-reported confidence in managing the patient with chronic low back pain by physiotherapists was associated with higher patient-reported alliance after the third physiotherapy sessions. The positive effect between therapist confidence and patient-rated alliance appeared to be dependent on patient-reported psychological distress at baseline.
URI: https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/18866
Fulltext version: Published version
License (according to publishing contract): Licence according to publishing contract
Departement: School of Health Sciences
Organisational Unit: Institute of Physiotherapy (IPT)
Appears in collections:Publikationen Gesundheit

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Brunner, E., Dankaerts, W., O’Sullivan, K., Meichtry, A., Bauer, C., & Probst, M. (2019). Associations between alliance, physiotherapists’ confidence in managing the patient and patient-reported distress in chronic low back pain practice. European Journal of Physiotherapy, 23(3), 196–200. https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2019.1672786
Brunner, E. et al. (2019) ‘Associations between alliance, physiotherapists’ confidence in managing the patient and patient-reported distress in chronic low back pain practice’, European Journal of Physiotherapy, 23(3), pp. 196–200. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2019.1672786.
E. Brunner, W. Dankaerts, K. O’Sullivan, A. Meichtry, C. Bauer, and M. Probst, “Associations between alliance, physiotherapists’ confidence in managing the patient and patient-reported distress in chronic low back pain practice,” European Journal of Physiotherapy, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 196–200, 2019, doi: 10.1080/21679169.2019.1672786.
BRUNNER, Emanuel, Wim DANKAERTS, Kieran O’SULLIVAN, André MEICHTRY, Christoph BAUER und Michel PROBST, 2019. Associations between alliance, physiotherapists’ confidence in managing the patient and patient-reported distress in chronic low back pain practice. European Journal of Physiotherapy. 2019. Bd. 23, Nr. 3, S. 196–200. DOI 10.1080/21679169.2019.1672786
Brunner, Emanuel, Wim Dankaerts, Kieran O’Sullivan, André Meichtry, Christoph Bauer, and Michel Probst. 2019. “Associations between Alliance, Physiotherapists’ Confidence in Managing the Patient and Patient-Reported Distress in Chronic Low Back Pain Practice.” European Journal of Physiotherapy 23 (3): 196–200. https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2019.1672786.
Brunner, Emanuel, et al. “Associations between Alliance, Physiotherapists’ Confidence in Managing the Patient and Patient-Reported Distress in Chronic Low Back Pain Practice.” European Journal of Physiotherapy, vol. 23, no. 3, 2019, pp. 196–200, https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2019.1672786.


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