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. 2019 Mar 7;21(3):e11123. doi: 10.2196/11123

Table 4.

Physiotherapists’ use of the self-determination theory-based communication strategies during implementation of Session 4 of the Self-management of Osteoarthritis and Low back pain through Activity and Skills.

SDTa–based communication strategiesb Overall class median score (interquartile range), min-max Education component median score (interquartile range), min-max Exercise component median score (interquartile range), min-max Z scorec P value
Total 4.5 (1.2), 2.8-4.8 4.3 (1.3), 3.2-5.2 4.5 (2.1), 2.3-5.2 –0.13 .89
Autonomy support

Offer a meaningful rationale 4.5 (1.8), 3.5-6.5 5.0 (1.5), 4.0-6.0 5.0 (2.5), 3.0-7.0 0 1.00

Provide opportunities for patient input and choice 4.0 (1.3), 3.5-5.5 4.0 (1.0), 3.0-4.0 5.0 (2.0), 4.0-7.0 –1.84 .07

Use support and encouragement rather than pressurising behaviours 3.0 (0.8), 2.0-3.0 3.0 (1.0), 3.0-4.0 2.0 (1.0), 1.0-3.0 –1.89 .06
Structure

Set clear expectations and provide direction 3.0 (3.5), 1.0-6.5 5.0 (2.0), 4.0-6.0 4.0 (4.0), 1.0-6.0 –1.08 .27

Goal setting


Review goal setting 3.5 (1.5), 3.0-5.0 5.0 (2.0), 4.0-6.0 3.0 (3.5), 1.0-5.0 –1.62 .10


Collaborative goal setting 5.0 (2.3), 2.5-5.5 4.0 (2.0), 3.0-6.0 4.0 (3.5), 1.0-6.0 –0.27 .78


Collaborative action planning 2.5 (2.5), 1.0-5.5 4.0 (4.0), 1.0-5.0 1.0 (4.0), 1.0-6.0 –0.55 .58


Collaborative barrier identification 4.5 (2.5), 2.5-5.5 4.0 (3.5), 1.0-7.0 5.0 (3.0), 1.0-6.0 –0.13 .89


Collaborative problem solving 4.5 (2.5), 2.0-5.5 4.0 (3.5), 1.0-7.0 5.0 (3.5), 1.0-6.0 –0.27 .78

Provide positive encouragement 5.0 (0.8), 3.5-5.0 5.0 (1.5), 3.0-5.0 5.0 (1.0), 4.0-6.0 –1.34 .18

Provide positive, information-rich feedback 5.5 (2.3), 3.5-6.5 6.0 (2.5), 3.0-6.0 5.0 (2.0), 4.0-7.0 –1.00 .31

Provide opportunities for patient practice 6.0 (1.0), 4.0-6.0 Not applicable 6.0 (1.0), 4.0-6.0 Not tested Not tested
Interpersonal involvement

Acknowledge patients’ feelings and perspectives 2.5 (2.5), 1.0-5.0 3.0 (3.5), 1.0-5.0 1.0 (4.0), 1.0-6.0 –0.18 .85

Build relationships


Active listening 5.5 (3.0), 1.5-6.0 6.0 (2.5), 2.0-6.0 5.0 (3.5), 1.0-6.0 –1.73 .08


Interest in patients 5.5 (1.0), 4.0-6.0 5.0 (1.0), 4.0-6.0 6.0 (1.0), 4.0-6.0 –1.73 .08

aSDT: self-determination theory.

bScale range: 1 (not at all good) to 7 (very good).

cZ score from Wilcoxon signed-ranks test to assess differences between the education and exercise components across all classes.