Refugees' Experiences of a Trauma-Focused Physiotherapy Program.

Area of Science:

• Physical Therapy
• Trauma Studies
• Refugee Health

Background:

• Conflict-displaced refugees often suffer trauma, leading to physical and mental health issues like pain, sleep disturbances, and emotional dysregulation.
• These challenges can cause musculoskeletal deconditioning, functional loss, and sedentary lifestyles.
• Trauma-focused physiotherapy is an emerging practice designed to mitigate trauma's effects and restore well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perceptions of refugees with trauma exposure regarding a trauma-focused physiotherapy group intervention.
• To understand client experiences within this specialized physiotherapy program.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing three focus groups (n=18) and nine individual interviews.
• Participants were refugees with trauma exposure who received trauma-focused physiotherapy in Jordan.
• Thematic analysis was performed on verbatim Arabic transcripts of recorded discussions.

Main Results:

• Three key themes emerged: common complaints motivating service seeking, perceived benefits of interdisciplinary trauma-focused physiotherapy, and helpful trauma-focused components.
• Clients reported positive outcomes from the integrated therapeutic approach.

Conclusions:

• Special considerations are necessary for physiotherapists working with conflict-traumatized refugees.
• Distinctive features of trauma-focused physiotherapy are crucial for successful client outcomes and functional restoration.