Refugees' Experiences of a Trauma-Focused Physiotherapy Program

A considerable number of forcefully-displaced refugees experience conflict-related traumatic events, which can result in significant mental and physical health challenges such as pain, poor sleep, inability to regulate emotionally driven sensations of distress, and avoidance of movement. Consequently, these challenges may lead to musculoskeletal deconditioning, loss of function, and sedentary behavior. Trauma focused physiotherapy, an emerging area of physiotherapy practice, is used to manage the negative effects of traumatic events and to restore wellbeing and function. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of trauma-exposed refugees in a trauma-focused physiotherapy group intervention program.

Using a qualitative approach, three focus groups (n = 18 clients) and 9 individual interviews were conducted with refugees with a history of trauma exposure who had received trauma-focused physiotherapy services sponsored by a non-government organization in Jordan. Topic guides were used to facilitate the discussion, with an emphasis on their perceived experience of the physiotherapy program. All conversations were audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim into the Arabic language. Thematic analysis was conducted.

Three main themes emerged across the focus groups and interviews: (1) Common complaints driving motivation for seeking physiotherapy services, (2) Perceived benefits of accessing trauma-focused physiotherapy from within an interdisciplinary service setting, and (3) Trauma-focused components perceived as helpful.

This study highlights special considerations for physiotherapists when working with refugees who have experienced trauma related to armed conflict. It also sheds light on the distinctive features of trauma-focused physiotherapy that clients perceived as critical for achieving successful outcomes.