THE PROCESS OF CHANGE IN BASIC BODY AWARENESS THERAPY
Author: Louise Danielsson, RPT, Psychiatric Physiotherapy Unit Björkängen, Södra Älvsborg Hospital, Klinikv.42, 50182 Borås, Sweden
Tutor: Liv Helvik Skjaerven, Associate Professor, Bergen University College
Contact: louise.danielsson@vgregion.se, +46336162147, Gyllenkrooksgatan 5, 412 82 Göteborg
Purpose and relevance: Musculoskeletal undefined pain and mental illness increase rapidly as reasons for sick leave in the European Union and have shown to be difficult to solve within the traditional biomedical framework. Several researchers suggest a holistic view on human beings; bringing in physiological, psychological and social factors. One method with such an approach is the physiotherapeutic treatment Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT). However the effects of therapy have previously been studied, there is more to explore concerning the actual process in order to clarify aspects of the patient’s development. The aim with this paper is to search for a deeper understanding of the process of change in BBAT.
Participants: Totally 14 patients took part in a semi-closed BBAT group for 16 weeks. The group consisted of patients referred from psychiatric out-care units and from primary health care. The medical diagnoses featuring in the group were: depression, anxiety syndrome, chronic fatigue and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used for this paper. Data consisted of a diary of field notes and from patient’s experiences collected during a structured group discussion.
Analysis: The field notes were analysed through a content analysis. The group discussion were conducted and analysed through the steps of the Nominal Group Technique.
Results: a) The analysis of the diary showed four areas of change in this BBAT group; Change in group dynamics, Change in the experience of the body, Change in body attitude and Change through creation of meaning.
b) The group discussion expressed the following as being of most significance regarding their process of change: “I am more attentive to and aware of what happens in the body, and to listen to it.”
Conclusion: The process of change in BBAT concerns several aspects, which in this study were interpreted as four areas of change. Self-reflection and integration of movements into daily life promoted change. In relation to psychosomatics, BBAT may encourage flexibility and alternatives to dysfunctional habits in the body.
Implications: The findings from this work can hopefully inspire clinicians to consider the process of change in BBAT more. There is a need for further studying the subject for example through in-depth interviews with patients and/or physiotherapists.
Keywords: Basic Body Awareness Therapy, process of change, physiotherapy
Funding acknowledgements: This work was unfunded.