Patient-therapist interactions in musculoskeletal physiotherapy: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis

Patients’ conceptions of undergoing physiotherapy for persistent low back pain delivered in Finnish primary healthcare by physiotherapists who had participated in brief training in cognitive functional therapy

“…However, there were also reports of the physiotherapist being timid and not listening to their wishes. Bunzli et al reported strong therapeutic alliance, together with experience of control over pain and development of body awareness as the requirements for changing beliefs [18], consistent with previous research that has highlighted that a strong therapeutic relationship is a predictor of improved clinical outcomes [38], and that physiotherapists' interpersonal and communication skills are important factors of good therapeutic alliance [39].…”