Defining mental health physiotherapy: an international qualitative study of experts in mental health physiotherapy

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Background There is growing interest in the role of physiotherapists in mental health, yet clarity and consensus on what constitutes mental health physiotherapy remain lacking. This study is the first to apply a robust, consensus-based qualitative approach to investigate international expert perspectives and propose a definition. Objectives To explore international expert physiotherapists' views on the definition of mental health physiotherapy and develop a consensus-informed definition for international adoption. Design Pragmatic qualitative survey informed by the Consensual Qualitative Research approach and the consensus group technique. Association representatives from countries belonging to the International Organization of Physical Therapists in Mental Health were invited to convene a roundtable discussion with at least five experts. Each group completed a survey on behalf of their respective national professional association. Participants One hundred and forty-one physiotherapists with expertise in mental health (median 11.0 years, IQR 6.0 to 19.0) from 22 countries participated. Results Four themes were identified: (1) mental health physiotherapy requires biopsychosocial integration, (2) mental health physiotherapy connects the body and mind, (3) mental health physiotherapy extends beyond traditional mental health care settings, and (4) mental health physiotherapy encompasses diverse and varied practices. Conclusion Findings indicate that mental health physiotherapy reflects a philosophical shift towards the explicit integration of mind and body, rather than a discrete area defined by clinical setting, population, or intervention. Based on these findings, a new definition of mental health physiotherapy is proposed. Contribution of the Paper •First international consensus-based qualitative study to define mental health physiotherapy, addressing a significant theoretical gap in the physiotherapy literature •Identified that mental health physiotherapy represents a philosophical shift in practice, characterised by the explicit integration of mind and body, rather than a discrete specialty defined by setting, population, or intervention. •Provides a foundation for future international collaboration, including the development of global education standards, competency frameworks, and consistent practice guidelines