The effectiveness of psychologically-informed physiotherapy for people with neck pain and the mediating role of illness perceptions: a replicated single-case experimental design study

(1) To evaluate the effectiveness of personalised psychologically-informed physiotherapy in people with neck pain; (2) To explore the mediating role of changes in illness perceptions. In this replicated single-case study, 14 patients with non-specific neck pain at risk for chronicity received a personalised intervention addressing unhelpful illness perceptions and dysfunctional movement behaviour, according to principles of cognitive functional therapy. Outcomes included the mediating role of illness perceptions on overall effect, function, pain intensity and self-efficacy. Linear mixed models were used to analyse the data. Repeated measurements (14-20 per patient), including a 3-months follow-up, showed a gradual improvement during and/or after psychologically-informed physiotherapy for overall effect, function, pain and to a lesser extent self-efficacy. Changes in each of the illness perception dimensions showed a mediation effect on overall effect, function and pain. When combining the dimensions “consequences,” “personal control,” “identity,” “concern” and “emotional response,” changes in illness perceptions explained approximately 35% of the improvement in overall effect. Addressing unhelpful illness perceptions appears valuable in the management of patients with chronic or recurrent non-specific neck pain. Intervention effects extended beyond the treatment period, indicating that patients’ improved understanding of their health condition continued to have a positive impact. Personalised interventions addressing unhelpful illness perceptions and dysfunctional movement behaviour are a promising approach to improving care for people with chronic or recurrent non-specific neck painOffering helpful illness perceptions is an important part of physiotherapeutic care for people with neck painIllness perception dimensions relating to personal control, identity, concern, consequences and emotional response are particularly amenable to change Personalised interventions addressing unhelpful illness perceptions and dysfunctional movement behaviour are a promising approach to improving care for people with chronic or recurrent non-specific neck pain Offering helpful illness perceptions is an important part of physiotherapeutic care for people with neck pain Illness perception dimensions relating to personal control, identity, concern, consequences and emotional response are particularly amenable to change