PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT IN OUTPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC-CARE

The present paper aims at describing historical features, developmental trends and key concepts in psychiatric physiotherapy (PPT). PPT was offered as an additional treatment to conventional psychiatric care and the aim was to examine the possibility of carrying out PPT with ten unselected patients (n = 10) in an out-patient psychiatric clinic. Symptoms presented: anxiety and phobic states, depression and crisis reactions. The purpose of four individual sessions was to stimulate curiosity and offer exercises concerning body-mind interactions. In examination of data qualitative research methods were used. All patients accepted the offer of PPT and participated in all sessions. Nine reported great or moderate symptom reduction. Of greatest importance for relief of symptoms was the patient's level of 'engagement'. PPT implies physical proximity and an encounter on an existential level. The impact of a complementary physical approach in psychiatric care needs to be further elucidated.