title: Musculoskeletal physiotherapists' use of psychological interventions: a systematic review of therapists' perceptions and practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research has demonstrated that incorporating psychological interventions within physiotherapy practice has numerous potential benefits. Despite this physiotherapists have reported feeling inadequately trained to confidently use such interventions in their day-to-day practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To systematically review musculoskeletal physiotherapists' perceptions regarding the use of psychological interventions within physiotherapy practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible studies were identified through a rigorous search of AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsychINFO from January 2002 until August 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  Full text qualitative, quantitative and mixed methodology studies published in English language investigating musculoskeletal physiotherapists' perceptions regarding their use of psychological interventions within physiotherapy practice.
  Included studies were appraised for risk of bias using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist. Meta-analysis was not possible due to study heterogeneity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six studies, all with a low risk of bias, met the inclusion criteria. These studies highlighted that physiotherapists appreciate the importance of using psychological interventions within their practice, but report inadequate understanding and consequent underutilisation of these interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results should be noted with some degree of caution due to various limitations associated with the included studies and with this review, including the use of a qualitative appraisal tool for mixed methodology/quantitative studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that musculoskeletal physiotherapists are aware of the potential benefits of incorporating psychological interventions within their practice but feel insufficiently trained to optimise their use of such interventions; hence highlighting a need for further research in this area and a review of physiotherapist training.
authors.affiliation: Sport, Health and Sciences Department, The University of Hull, Don Building, Cottingham Road, Hull HU67RX, United Kingdom. Electronic address: J.Alexanders@hull.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alexanders
authors.affiliation: Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Sport, Health and Sciences Department, The University of Hull, Don Building, Cottingham Road, Hull HU67RX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Henderson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010045:Outpatients; D010465:Perception; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Physiotherapy education; Psychological interventions; Qualitative design; Rehabilitation; Sports