A Review of Clinical Issues Related to Treatment of Victims of Torture for Osteopaths and Other Manual Practitioners

Item

Title
A Review of Clinical Issues Related to Treatment of Victims of Torture for Osteopaths and Other Manual Practitioners
Author(s)
Aydinc Anna
Abstract
Objective: To provide a critical review of literature on clinical issues when treating victims of torture, by discussing torture methods and their effects, as well as examination, treatment and management considerations for osteopaths and other manual therapists. Design: A qualitative critical narrative review of literature, which included two uncontrolled experimental, four questionnaire, six interview and nineteen qualitative studies. Methods: Each paper was assessed using a point system, analysed against standardised, well known assessment criteria. The articles that scored the most points in each subgroup were rated the highest for quality. Results: Only 12 papers (39%) were considered to be of high methodological quality. The key issues addressed: how the musculoskeletal sequelae of torture depended on the different method used, discussions on how the examination process can retraumatise patients and crucial points to be aware of and avoid while treating torture survivors. The beneficial approaches of empathic practitioners as well as the medium of touch were also addressed. Conclusion; Victims of torture have multifaceted health and social care needs and multidisciplinary rehabilitation approaches were suggested. Common musculoskeletal sequelae of torture are pain, frequently in the back, feet and shoulders. Undergraduate experience regarding torture victims could sensitise students to these patients’ needs. Practicing manual therapists may need to consider how they normally present themselves, their treatment room and treatment itself in an attempt to prevent possible retraumatization of their patients.
Abstract
Objective: To provide a critical review of literature on clinical issues when treating victims of torture, by discussing torture methods and their effects, as well as examination, treatment and management considerations for osteopaths and other manual therapists. Design: A qualitative critical narrative review of literature, which included two uncontrolled experimental, four questionnaire, six interview and nineteen qualitative studies. Methods: Each paper was assessed using a point system, analysed against standardised, well known assessment criteria. The articles that scored the most points in each subgroup were rated the highest for quality. Results: Only 12 papers (39%) were considered to be of high methodological quality. The key issues addressed: how the musculoskeletal sequelae of torture depended on the different method used, discussions on how the examination process can retraumatise patients and crucial points to be aware of and avoid while treating torture survivors. The beneficial approaches of empathic practitioners as well as the medium of touch were also addressed. Conclusion; Victims of torture have multifaceted health and social care needs and multidisciplinary rehabilitation approaches were suggested. Common musculoskeletal sequelae of torture are pain, frequently in the back, feet and shoulders. Undergraduate experience regarding torture victims could sensitise students to these patients’ needs. Practicing manual therapists may need to consider how they normally present themselves, their treatment room and treatment itself in an attempt to prevent possible retraumatization of their patients.
presented at
British School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted
2010
Date Submitted
31.5.2011 00:00:00
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Pub-Identifier
14931
Inst-Identifier
780
Keywords
Torture, pain, methods, manual therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, refugees, clinical examination, effects, psychosocial, trauma
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Aydinc Anna, “A Review of Clinical Issues Related to Treatment of Victims of Torture for Osteopaths and Other Manual Practitioners”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 22, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/1821