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Papers of the Week


Papers: 22 Jan 2022 - 28 Jan 2022


2022 Jan 03


Phys Ther

Mindfulness-and-Acceptance-Based Interventions (MABIs) in Physical Therapist Practice: The Time Is Now.

Authors

Abstract

One in 5 adults in the United States live with a mental illness, and many more struggle with stress-related chronic illnesses. Physical therapists often see the physical effects that stress has on the body, but there is an underutilization of evidence-based stress management strategies with patients and clients. Mindfulness-and-acceptance-based interventions (MABIs) constitute a family of methods that emphasize present-moment awareness, nonjudgment, and values-based living. They operate by teaching patients to cope with stressful thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. MABIs are associated with improved health outcomes in areas commonly seen in physical therapist practice, including health promotion, physical function, injury prevention, pain management, immune function, and noncommunicable diseases. The purpose of this Perspective article is to (1) describe MABIs, (2) discuss the relevance of MABIs to physical therapist practice, (3) discuss the positive impact of MABIs for pain, sports, immune function, physical and mental health promotion and wellness, and (4) identify MABI outcome measures related to health behavior change. It is time.