Attitudes, knowledge, and practices of physiotherapists towards lifestyle interventions in the management of mental health disorders

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health disorders (MHD) are associated unhealthy lifestyle behaviours which puts individuals at high risks of developing cardiometabolic conditions. Lifestyle interventions are management strategies that are aimed at promoting wellness and healthy lifestyle choices in individuals. The role of physiotherapy in mental health is often neglected and misunderstood. Patients with MHD, policy makers, and members of the interprofessional team seem to be unsure of the role of physiotherapy in mental health which has led to physiotherapy not being prioritised in mental health. Physiotherapists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices of lifestyle interventions remains an under researched area in literature. Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the attitudes, knowledge, and practices that physiotherapists have towards lifestyle interventions in the management of mental health disorders. Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional study. Qualified South African physiotherapists who are registered members of the South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) and Physiotherapy Association of South Africa (PASA), managing or have managed patients with mental health disorders were invited to complete a self-developed online questionnaire. The results of the study were analysed using descriptive statistics, and relationships were identified using Chi-square test or Fisher exact. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: 82 participants completed the online survey. Most participants were female (82%), between the ages of 26-30 years (40%) with no previous experience of working at a psychiatric hospital or mental health facility (74%). Participants generally had good attitudes and knowledge about lifestyle interventions for patients with mental health disorders (MHD). Physical activity and stress management were the most common lifestyle intervention utilised. The study found that postgraduate mental health training did not affect the choice of lifestyle intervention used by participants in the treatment of patients with MHD (physical activity; p=1, nutrition and weight management advice; p=0.67, smoking and substance use cessation; p=0.07, and stress management advice; p=0.44). The study found that participants who used stress management and nutrition and weight management advice as lifestyle interventions commonly encountered patients with anxiety, arthritis, and chronic upper limb pain. vi Conclusion: Lack of undergraduate training is the most prevalent barrier to physiotherapists in the management of patients with comorbid MHD. Participants in this study demonstrated good knowledge and a positive attitude towards the use of lifestyle interventions in patients with MDH but that does not always translate into practice.