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To investigate clinimetric properties of 2 surveys used to evaluate common factors in the patient-provider relation and present screener options for the assessment of common factors and report their correlation with pain and functional outcomes. Observational cohort. Outpatient physical therapy. 100 individuals (58% women, mean age=34, SD=15; N=100) presenting to physical therapy with musculoskeletal pain in the following regions: 44% lower extremity, 36% spine, 19% upper extremity, 1% undetermined. Not applicable. Participants completed the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) and the Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) explored factor structure of the WAI and CEQ. Internal consistency was evaluated for scales derived from items retained based on factor loadings. Finally, options for screener tools were proposed and assessed based on their correlation to original surveys as well as pain and functional outcomes. The data supported a 4-factor structure for the surveys. Some WAI items were excluded due to cross-loading. The derived four-factor scales demonstrated strong correlations with the original surveys (r =.89-.99) and exhibited good internal consistency (α=.824-.875). Two screening options were suggested: 1 retaining 11 of the original 18 items and the other comprising just 3 items. Both screening tools correlated with the original surveys and showed associations with improvements in pain and functional outcomes (r =-.21-.34). The proposed screeners provide concise measurement options to facilitate use in clinical practice. These tools can aid in facilitating patient communication specifically addressing patient expectation and understanding the tasks required to enact behavior change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: In studies exploring the effectiveness of physical therapy treatment for painful musculoskeletal conditions, interventions appear to improve patient-reported outcomes. The interventions adopt different approaches, but there is a lack of agreement about which approach is most effective. Thus, research is needed to look at the potential influence of other variables present, such as common factors. Common factors are elements present across different treatments, which are necessary conditions for forming a therapeutic alliance and providing patient-centred care. While there is a positive relationship between common factors and patient outcomes noted in physical therapy, the mechanism through which these factors influence patient outcomes is less understood. The aim of this study was to explore participants' perceptions of the influence of common factors on physical therapy outcomes. Methods: Interviews were undertaken with seven individuals participating in physical therapy. The contextual model provided the framework to move beyond defining common factors to discussing how these elements contribute to the therapeutic changes seen in physical therapy. Results: Participants discussed how the therapeutic relationship is influenced by perceived trust and credibility, enhanced by goal setting, and individualised care. When these common factors are present, the potential for engaging in the work of physical therapy and enacting healthy behaviours and actions by patients were enhanced. Conclusions: By understanding common factors in physical therapy, a more complete view of the effects of interventions may be possible. Implications for practice: This study sheds light on the clinical impact of common factors in physical therapy, highlighting the pivotal role of therapeutic relationships built on trust, credibility, and individualized care. Recognizing and integrating these common factors into practice may enhance patient engagement and foster better therapeutic outcomes in musculoskeletal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic alliance (TA) has been positively correlated to improvements in patient outcomes. This study examined the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) relationship with changes in disability and pain intensity for patients receiving physical therapy (PT) treatment for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions. Fifty participants were dichotomized into success or failure by the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on region-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Regression and correlation statistics examined the relationship between WAI with change scores and quantity of PT. Independent t-tests compared WAI scores across categorical variables. WAI scores were higher for those meeting MCIDs on PROM and NPRS compared to those who did not. WAI scores were significantly correlated with improvement on region-specific outcome measures and NPRS. Regression analysis found the patient rating of the TA to be a positive predictor for improvement on regions specific outcome measures and NPRS. Patients who rated the TA higher were more likely to meet the MCID for region-specific disability and pain intensity. Patient ratings of the TA were associated with improved change scores on pain rating and standardized outcome measures during a course of treatment for musculoskeletal pain conditions. Patients' early rating of the therapeutic alliance (TA) is associated with improvements seen on pain and functional outcomes. Physical therapists should assess the TA and use strategies to enhance the alliance to optimize patient's experiences with physical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]