1. Embodied coaching through The Bodymind Approach (TBMA)
for managers distressed with chronic pain and symptoms
School of Education, University of Hertfordshire
Professor Helen Payne, Dr Janice Cook and Özlem Lale Kaleli
Introduction
The objective of this research is to explore the effectiveness of The BodyMind Approach (TBMA)™ for corporate managers distressed with chronic physical symptoms which do not have an organic diagnosis, termed medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). The outcomes of a pilot study undertaken within a doctoral research study indicate that coaching through TBMA provides positive outcomes in reducing symptom distress and improving the overall wellbeing of the participants.
Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS)
Chronic physical symptoms appearing in the body for which investigations, tests and scans always come back negative.
Distinguished as conditions that either fail to respond to treatment or that relapse after a short time, such as chronic headache, back/joint/muscular pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, vertigo, skin conditions, abdominal pain, breathing problems and irritable bowel syndrome and tinnitus.
Often associated with depression and/or anxiety, and are complex in nature.
Cause significant disruptions to feelings, thoughts and behaviour and are associated with significant stress and impairment leading to absence, poor performance, quality of work and social life due to the limited mental and physical activity.
Causes damage to physical and psychological wellbeing of individuals.
The Bodymind Approach (TBMA)
Built upon the interconnectedness of the body and the mind
Is an evidence based embodied perceptual learning approach designed specifically for people with MUS and has been found to be effective in a pilot study of patients in the healthcare system
Integrates intervention strategies from different body oriented psychological therapies such as breath-work, dance movement psychotherapy, relaxation techniques and mindfulness/sensory awareness
Uses group work as a method of delivery
Underpinned by the general principles of experiential learning cycles, attachment theory, neuroscience, group analysis, analytical psychology, psychodynamic psychotherapy and humanistic psychology
Further information about TBMA can be found at
MUS at the workplace
Highly common in the workplace
Absenteeism, high health care costs, and benefits are considered among direct costs of MUS
Poor performance and presenteeism are some of the indirect costs
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) causes 49% of work absence in Europe emphasised in Fit For Work Services
Individuals do not seek psychological support and is more significant in the workplace due to the stigma effect
Treatments focusing solely on the physical and/or emotional aspects fail, symptom-relapse after a short time
An integrated approach towards the body and the mind is crucial for any initiative towards MUS to succeed.
Pilot Study: Exploring the effectiveness of coaching through TBMA for managers distressed with MUS
Embodied coaching through TBMA
TBMA as a self-directed and experiential learning process, facilitated through somatic awareness and guided in a non-judgmental setting with unconditional positive regard mirrors the fundamental working principles of the person-centered, psychodynamic and positive psychology driven models in coaching.
A multimodal coaching approach is employed in coaching through TBMA including solution focused and developmental coaching.
Design
The pilot was a randomised control trial with self-referred managers with active work life.
The intervention group (N=6) completed weekly, two hour TBMA group coaching sessions for three months (12 sessions) where the control group (N=7) was referred to a waiting list.
Outcomes
Intervention group participants’ outcome measures provide a significant improvement in symptom distress, activity and overall wellbeing.
The outcomes of qualitative analysis indicate an improved sense of psychological and physiological wellbeing and enhanced self-esteem as a result of an increased level of control
Methodology
Data collection and analysis through a mixed methodology employing qualitative and quantitative methods.
Individual semi structured interviews were conducted at the beginning and at the end
Standardised outcome measures, of Measure Your Own Medical Profile (MYMOP), the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS) and the Quality of Life Inventory (SF-36) employed to collect quantitative data on symptom distress, depression/anxiety and wellbeing pre and post and three months later at follow up.
Medication use and absence from work analysed through data collected via MYMOP and semi structured interviews.
Conclusions and discussion
Coaching through TBMA appears to be effective at enhancing physical and psychological wellbeing of managers distressed with chronic pain and symptoms when compared to a control group who did not receive coaching. This pilot informs the design of a new study with a larger population.
Furthermore, TBMA appears to be an effective approach to be employed for health and wellbeing coaching. The adaptation of TBMA within a multimodal approach might contribute to the development of coaching psychology and to the increasing initiatives in integrating kinaesthetic knowledge and mindfulness in the coaching practice and the theory.
References:
Bevan, S., Passmore, E., Mahdon, Michelle. (2007). Fit For Work? Musculoskeletal Disorders and Labour Market Participation. The Work Foundation,
 Briand C., Durand M.J., St-Arnaud, L., Corbière, M. (2008). How well do return-to-work interventions for musculoskeletal conditions address the multicausality of work disability? Journal of occupational rehabilitation, 18(2),
Grant, A. M., & Palmer, S. (2002). Coaching psychology. In workshop and meeting held at the annual conference of the Division of Counselling Psychology, British Psychological Society, Torquay 18 (1), 86-98
Meijer, E.M., Sluiter, J.K., Frings-Dresen, M.H.W. (2005). Evaluation of effective return-to-work treatment programs for sick-listed patients with non-specific musculoskeletal complaints: a systematic review. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 78 (7),
Payne, H. & Stott, D. (2010) Change in the moving bodymind: Quantitative results from a pilot study on the BodyMind Approach (BMA) as groupwork for patients with MUS. Counselling & Psychotherapy Research, 10,4,
Payne, H (2015) The Body speaks its Mind: The BodyMind Approach® for patients with Medically Unexplained Symptoms in UK primary care. Arts in Psychotherapy, 42,19-27
Payne, H & Brooks, SDM (2016) Clinical outcomes and cost benefits from The BodyMind Approach™ for Patients with Medically Unexplained Symptoms in Primary Care in England: Practice-based evidence. Arts in Psychotherapy, 47, 55–65
Squires, H; Rick, J; Carroll, C and Hillage, J (2012) Cost-effectiveness of interventions to return employees to work following long-term sickness absence due to musculoskeletal disorders." Journal of Public Health 34, no. 1,
Contact details:
University of Hertfordshire
Prof Helen Payne School of Education Dr Janice Cook Business School Ozlem Lale Kaleli School of Education