The attitudes and self-reported practices of New Zealand osteopaths to exercise consultation and its use within osteopathy

Abstract

Background: Exercise-based interventions are commonly utilised within many healthcare modalities, although their role in New Zealand osteopathy is unclear. Objectives: Investigate osteopaths’ attitudes and practices of exercise consultation, in the context of general health (GH) and specific medical conditions (SMC); identify factors associated with these practices and attitudes. Methods: Descriptive survey design. New Zealand osteopaths with a current annual practicing certificate were sent an online or printed questionnaire. Results: Response rate was 38% (n=125/332). Degree of positive attitude towards advice for general health (GH) =75±9%; and prescription for specific medical conditions (SMC) =73±6% were similar. The most commonly reported exercise consultation provided was advice for SMC (75±24%), followed by advice for GH (63±30%), prescription for SMC (63±30%) and GH (52±32%). Associations with each of these practices were analysed by ANOVA, and were associated with positive attitudes towards exercise consultation (p<0.05 for all). Training institution was associated with attitudes towards exercise prescription (p=0.03). Increased personal exercise duration was weakly predictive of positive attitudes towards exercise advice (r2= 0.04 for regression model) and associated with practice of advice for GH (p=0.01). Level of academic qualification was associated with practice of advice for SMC (p<0.001). Practice style was associated with practice of prescription for SMC (p=0.03). Common forms of exercise delivery by osteopaths included verbal instructions (87%) and physical demonstration of exercises by the practitioner (73%) or by the patient (62%). Conclusions: These data suggest most NZ osteopaths have a positive attitude towards exercise consultation and incorporate exercise within clinical practice through various methods.