Patient and Physiotherapist Perspectives on Positioning During Electrotherapy for Radiculopathy: A Qualitative Study

Aim: Positioning of the patients with cervical (CR) and lumbosacral radiculopathy (LR) during the electrotherapy (ET) session may affect the clinical outcomes, comfort, and satisfaction. There have been no studies concerning the positioning of such patients during ET. This study aimed to investigate experiences of physiotherapists and patients- with CR and LR- regarding patient positioning during ET.Methods: This is a qualitative study conducted in Egypt from August to September 2024 and included 10 patients with cervical or lumbosacral radiculopathy and 10 clinical and academic orthopaedic physiotherapists. Patients were interviewed face-to-face at the clinics and physiotherapists were interviewed via online using a pre-prepared semi-structured questionnaire including questions about demographic data, determinants of position, and ways of patient positioning and their impact. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and SPSS (v. 27). Results: Regarding determinants of patient position during electrotherapy session; 3 determinants were reported including condition type (70%), patient comfort and availability of space in the clinic. Regarding proper position; 4 patient positions were reported including prone-lying (90% of physiotherapists and 40% of patients), supine-lying, sitting, and side-lying positions with/out some modifications. Electrotherapy session lasted 25-60 minutes. Symptoms reduced moderately (40-70%) in these positions.Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study. Patient position during the electrotherapy session may be determined according to the patient condition with consideration to the experiences of physiotherapists. Clinical guidelines and training programs for physiotherapists should emphasize the importance of individualized patient positioning, taking into account the patient's specific condition and comfort.