Authors (including presenting author) :
Lai CH(1), Tang LW(1), Wong WYE(1), Chan PK(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Kwai Chung Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Mood Disorder
Keyword 2: :
Chronic Pain
Keyword 4: :
Stretching Exercise
Keyword 6: :
Physiotherapy
Introduction :
Therapeutic exercise is a core component of self-management for chronic pain. However, mood disorders patients with chronic pain face greater challenges in exercise compliance due to factor like pain catastrophizing and emotional dysregulation, and low motivation, leading a vicious cycle of deconditioning. Consequently, they are prone to repeated referrals for physiotherapy outpatient services for pain management.
Mindfulness based approach that integrated into exercise prescription may help patients manage pain, enhance body awareness, and build confidence in performing exercises independently thereby supporting better self-management and quality of life.
Objectives :
To explore the outcomes of “Mind-Move” – a mindfulness-based stretching class in improving self efficacy and reducing outpatient service dependency for patients with mood disorders and chronic pain.
Methodology :
A retrospective study of “Mind-Move” was conducted. The data retrieval covered from Nov 2025 to Jan 2026. Outpatients diagnosed under “Common Mental Disorder” referred for pain management were arranged to attend 4 weekly 1-hour group session. Sessions integrated mindfulness breathing, body scanning, physio-therapeutic stretching exercise, and core strengthening, with emphasis on present-moment awareness and pain acceptance.
Sessions were led by a physiotherapist, stretching exercises that modified according to individual functional levels. Home exercise advices was provided verbally and reinforced.
Physical parameters such as flexibility and pain scale were included. Pre and Post Self Exercise Efficacy (SEE) score and patient satisfactory survey were analyzed as psychological parameters.
Result & Outcome :
15 outpatients (mean age 54.7 ± 11.4) with diagnoses of mixed depressive, anxiety, psychotic and insomnia, completed the program.
Mean SEE score increased significantly from 41.7 to 56.4 (p=0.027). High SEE reflecting enhancement of confidence to perform home-based therapeutic exercise independently despite barriers like pain or low mood when compare to previous referral, before attending the program. 80% of patients reported high satisfaction to the “Mind-Move” program, scoring an average 7 or above out of a 10-point scale, indicating strong satisfaction with the mindfulness integrated stretching format for pain coping and exercise motivation. The physical and psychological outcome were satisfactory. The “Mind-Move” program is feasible and well accepted among physiotherapy outpatients with mood disorders and chronic pain. Findings suggest potential to increase home exercise compliance and reduce physiotherapy outpatient services reliance for this patient’s group. It is also feasible to serve as an effective “gateway exit” from repeated physiotherapy referral by enhancing self-management capacities.
