Careful science? Bodywork and care practices in randomised clinical trials

Abstract

Concern about obesity has prompted numerous public health campaigns that urge people to be more physically active. The campaigns often include normative statements and attempt to impose restrictions on individuals' lives without considering the complexities of daily life. We suggest that broadening the focus to reflect everyday practices would foster better targeted public health campaigns. This article is based on our participation in FINE, a multidisciplinary Danish research project. The core methodology of FINE was a randomised controlled trial in which 61 moderately overweight men were put into different exercise groups. In this article we analyse the scientific work of the trial as representing entangled processes of bodywork, where data are extracted and objectified bodies are manipulated and care practices address the emotional, social and mundane aspects of the participants' everyday lives. Care practices are an inherent part of producing scientific facts but they are removed from the recognised results of scientific practice and thus from common public health recommendations. However, knowledge about the strategic use of care practices in lifestyle interventions is important for public health initiatives and future efforts should incorporate this aspect.

International clinical trials, cardiovascular disease and treatment options in the Russian Federation: Research and treatment in practice

“…In the trial sites participants found friendly and professional physician-investigators who had the opportunity and were willing to select and monitor their treatment regimens, provide consultations and be reachable in case of problems and emergencies during and after trials. Continuous relations with and the attention of physician-investigators were the main benefits of trial enrollment for interviewed participants, which in line with other studies highlights the central importance of personal and relational work in constructing research and treatment interface (Jespersen et al, 2013;Easter et al, 2006). Many of them considered these benefits to be life-saving (as one participant conveyed: 'I was prognosed to live for 1 year, but here I am alive for 21 years, all because I got here' (participant, site 3).…”

Household collectives: resituating health promotion and physical activity

“…Bodies that interact and share loads of work and perform physical activity in choreographed, interdependent actions (Jespersen et al . ).…”

“…In the everyday efforts of the households to live up to ideals and maintain balance within the household, the dynamics and tensions between practices require alignment, coordination and choreography (Jespersen et al . , Lassen et al . ).…”

“…, Horrocks and Johnson , Jespersen et al . ). Furthermore, the individual‐focused approach neglects the social dynamics of the everyday life, and the significance of social, cultural and structural conditions for health (Bloch et al .…”

The changing body work of abortion: a qualitative study of the experiences of health professionals

“…); as a technique of control of less cooperative bodies (Jespersen et al . ); and the ways in which the interaction varies by organisational context (Kerr ). We therefore suggest that it is useful to consider this relationship further, in specific relation to the management of emotion in the body work of abortion, and the ways in which this emotional labour is constrained by the organisational context of the hospital/clinic.…”