Consensus on core phenomena and statements describing Basic Body Awareness Therapy within the movement awareness domain in physiotherapy

ABSTRACT

Physiotherapists are facing complex health challenges in the treatment of persons suffering from long-lasting musculoskeletal disorders and mental health problems. Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) is a physiotherapy approach within the movement awareness domain developed to bridge physical, mental, and relational health challenges. The purpose of this study was to reach a consensus on core phenomena and statements describing BBAT. A consensus-building process was conducted using the nominal group technique (NGT). Twenty-one BBAT experts from 10 European countries participated in a concentrated weekend workshop of 20 hours. All participants signed informed consent. Participants reached a consensus on 138 core phenomena, clustered in three overarching categories: clinical core, historical roots, and research and evaluation phenomena. Of the 106 clinical core phenomena, the participants agreed on three categories of phenomena: movement quality, movement awareness practice, and movement awareness therapy and pedagogy. Furthermore, the participants reached 100 percent consensus on 16 of 30 statements describing BBAT. This study provides a consensus on core phenomena and statements describing BBAT. The data reveal phenomena implemented when promoting movement quality through movement awareness. Data provide clarity in some aspects of the vocabulary as fundamental theory. Further reearch will be developed.

KEYWORDS:

• Movement quality
• movement awareness
• movement awareness therapy
• movement awareness learning

Acknowledgments

This study was made possible thanks to the input of members of the International Association of Teachers of BBAT. The authors would like to thank everyone who contributed to this endeavor, especially to all participants in the consensus-building process. The study was funded by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Norway), Lund University (Sweden) and the European Economic Area Research Grants Science and Sustainability NILS Programme.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.