Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41341695›Full record

ArticleArchives of physiotherapy

Physical therapists' perspectives and practices on weight management for chronic pain patients with obesity: a cross-sectional survey.

Melanie Liechti, Massimo Menegon, Alexander P Schurz, Matteo Vanroose, Ron Clijsen, Anneleen Malfliet, David Faeh, Heiner Baur, Jan Taeymans, Nathanael Lutz

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Archives of physiotherapy. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Melanie LiechtiDepartment of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels - Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4447-2379
Massimo MenegonSchool of Health Professions, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern - Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6982-9163
Alexander P SchurzDepartment of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels - Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2818-0782
Matteo VanrooseDepartment of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels - Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6446-512X
Ron ClijsenDepartment of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels - Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7125-5332
Anneleen MalflietPain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy (KIMA), Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel - Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0598-7038
David FaehSchool of Health Professions, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern - Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2630-8102
Heiner BaurSchool of Health Professions, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern - Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-225X
Jan TaeymansDepartment of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels - Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1583-4043
Nathanael LutzDepartment of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels - Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7512-7060

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Overweight and obesity management in primary care gained importance due to its global rise and association with cardiometabolic diseases and chronic musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Physical therapists are well-positioned to incorporate weight management in their practice. This survey evaluates attitudes, barriers and clinical practices of physical therapists regarding weight management for individuals with chronic pain and comorbid overweight or obesity. Methods: German-speaking physical therapists in Switzerland volunteered in an online survey. Descriptive statistics summarized physical therapists' attitudes, barriers and practices. Logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with recommending and implementing weight reduction interventions. Results: Of the 581 respondents, 92.1% acknowledged the importance of educating patients on obesity-related health risks, and 81.6% recommended weight reduction. Two-thirds offered weight reduction interventions in physical therapy, although fewer (57.3%) received corresponding training during entry-level education. Most weight reduction interventions focused on movement, endurance, and strength, whilst a minority addressed nutrition, sleep or stress. The odds of offering weight reduction interventions were higher among those with entry-level education (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.3), further education (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.3), and for those who perceived weight reduction interventions (OR: 6.5, 95% CI: 3.5-12.3) and counseling on other lifestyle factors (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.2-7.3) as within their professional scope. Conclusions: While physical therapists showed positive attitudes toward weight reduction interventions for individuals with chronic pain and overweight or obesity, their education and implementation remain inconsistent, primarily focusing on improving physical activity. Clear competencies and structured training are needed to integrate evidence-based weight management into clinical practice.

Indexed as

Chronic painLifestyleObesityPhysical therapyWeight management

Identifiers

PMID41341695
PMCPMC12671057

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.