KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS TOWARD MINDFULNESS-BASED INTERVENTIONS IN PAKISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Patients undergoing rehabilitation following injury or surgery often experience both physical limitations and psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and reduced motivation. These psychological challenges can impede recovery and functional outcomes. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs), which emphasize non-judgmental awareness and stress reduction, have been proven effective in improving both mental and physical health. Despite global recognition, the role of MBIs in physiotherapy practice remains underexplored in Pakistan. Objective: To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of physiotherapists in Pakistan regarding the use of mindfulness-based interventions alongside disease-specific rehabilitation strategies. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a three-month period across multiple healthcare settings in Pakistan, including hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers. A self-developed, structured questionnaire comprising three domains—knowledge (8 items), attitude (10 items), and practice (10 items)—was distributed among physiotherapists using a non-probability convenience sampling method. Out of 390 physiotherapists approached, 375 completed the survey (response rate: 96.15%). Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 22, and mean scores were interpreted using a cut-off value of 2.2 on a 3-point Likert scale. Results: Physiotherapists demonstrated a high level of knowledge and a positive attitude toward MBIs, with mean domain scores of 2.57 and 2.70 respectively. However, the mean score for the practice domain was 2.04, indicating low integration of MBIs into clinical settings. Only 30.3% reported regular use of mindfulness techniques, and 36.8% cited time constraints as a major barrier. Conclusion: Although physiotherapists in Pakistan are knowledgeable and supportive of MBIs conceptually, their actual clinical implementation remains limited. Structured training and resource allocation are essential to bridge this gap in practice.