Experiences of occupational therapists within an ACT-based interdisciplinary pain management program

Abstract

Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs have shown effective results. While occupational therapy within these programs has made a unique contribution to pain management because of its focus on occupation and use of group activities, little is known about occupational therapists’ own experiences of it. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the occupational therapists’ experiences of working in a manual-based interdisciplinary pain management program grounded in ACT. Material and methods: Six occupational therapists at a pain rehabilitation clinic were interviewed. Data were analysed using Braun and Clark’s thematic analysis. Results: The occupational therapists experienced that ACT and occupational therapy complement each other and that ACT facilitated comprehension of occupational therapy interventions. With ACT, the team gained a common language, which made teamwork and patient comprehension more efficient. A behavioural analysis (SORC) served as a link between occupational therapy and ACT. Conclusions: Manual-based occupational therapy activity group interventions with elements of ACT were felt to enhance the patient’s understanding of their rehabilitation and supported teamwork. Significance: This study provides further support for use of ACT in occupational therapy within interdisciplinary pain management programs. Occupational therapistsˈ use of SORC is an area of development.