Perceptions of learning and teaching human movement in physiotherapy: A systematic review and metasynthesis of qualitative studies

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Human movement is essential for health and well-being. Understanding human movement is pivotal in physiotherapy, but also an important element of physiotherapy education. This review identified, critically appraised, and synthesized the available evidence on learning and teaching human movement in physiotherapy as perceived by students, therapists, and instructors.

Methods

The databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, PsycINFO, MEDIC and FINNA, were searched. The search was conducted in March/April 2020 and updated in March 2022. The systematic review followed the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence and was conducted in accordance with an a priori protocol.

Results

The overall quality of the 17 included studies was scored low on ConQual but dependability and credibility were rated as moderate. Four synthesized findings aggregated from 17 categories and 147 findings described the perceived significance of 1) being present in movement, 2) movement quality, 3) movement transfer, and 4) contextual factors for the learning or teaching of human movement in physiotherapy.

Conclusion

The synthesized findings indicate that the perceived significance of contextual factors, movement quality and transfer, and being present in movement should be considered in all learning and teaching of movement in physiotherapy. However, the evidence of the review findings was evaluated as low-level, which should be considered when applying these results to physiotherapy education or practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Metasynthesis
• Qualitative
• Physiotherapy
• Learning and teaching
• Human movement

Acknowledgments

We express our thanks to the information specialist from the University of Jyväskylä for her time and help in improving the search strategy.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Sirpa Ahola

Sirpa Ahola, MSc, is a PhD student at the University of Jyväskylä, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences. Her research interests lie in human movement phenomena and qualitative methodology in physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and higher education. She is also a senior lecturer at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland.

Arja Piirainen

Arja Piirainen, is a researcher in the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, at University of Jyväskylä. Her research interests are phenomena in physiotherapy and rehabilitation, learning and teaching, andragogy and interaction.

Pirjo Vuoskoski

Pirjo Vuoskoski, is a senior lecturer and researcher in the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, at University of Jyväskylä. Her research interests lie in experiential phenomena and a phenomenological approach to physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and higher education.