Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40360190›Full record

ArticleBJGP open2025

Findings from the development of a novel course of both group and individual Alexander Technique lessons for neck, hip, and knee pain: a mixed-methods study.

Joseph Little, Adam Geraghty, Carolyn Nicholls, Paul Little

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Article in BJGP open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Joseph LittlePrimary Care Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Adam GeraghtyPrimary Care Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Carolyn NichollsBrighton Alexander Technique College, Brighton, UK.
Paul LittlePrimary Care Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK p.little@soton.ac.uk.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMusculoskeletal pain, often affecting multiple sites - including neck, hip, and knee - is common, with limited treatment options. Novel treatments are needed to support self-management, preferably addressing multiple pain sites.

aimTo develop and explore the acceptability of a short, mixed course of individual (one-to-one) and group lessons in the Alexander Technique (AT), which addresses dysfunctional use of the musculoskeletal system. DESIGN &

settingA single-centre, mixed-methods study of patients with chronic or recurrent neck, hip, or knee pain from four general practices.

methodPreliminary development of a course of 10 AT lessons (six group, four individual) took place with a group of AT teachers. Semi-structured interviews of participants were undertaken, which were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Descriptive pre-post analysis of quantitative scales were used to assess improvement (Numerical pain scale [NRS]; modified Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ); enablement (modified Patient Enablement Instrument used in the ATEAM trial); and global improvement (Health Transition scale).

resultsTwenty-three participants were included; 18 were interviewed. Commonly, participants found the mixture of group and individual lessons helpful, including helping multiple pain sites, and the mix of different problems enhanced learning. There was moderate improvement in standard quantitative measures over 12 weeks (NRS from 5.15 to 3.85; modified RMDQ 8.26 to 5.7) but with more substantial improvement in enablement and global improvement. Those who perceived underlying structural damage to the knee reported little benefit.

conclusionPeople with chronic or recurrent neck, hip, or knee pain found a course of mixed group and individual lessons in AT helpful in managing their pain, but not those with severe knee problems. Whether standard quantitative measures provide the best measures of effectiveness requires exploration.

Indexed as

hipkneeneckpain

Identifiers

PMID40360190
PMCPMC12820488

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