Using expletives to enhance therapeutic outcomes: A case report

# Background Swearing deserves attention in the physical therapy setting due to its potential positive effects on pain, physical performance, and therapeutic alliance. The purpose of this case report is to describe the strategic use of swearing in the clinical setting. # Case Presentation A 44-ye...

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Main Authors: Nicholas B. Washmuth, Richard Stephens, Blake McAfee, Abby D. McAfee, Christopher G. Bise, Jerry Durham
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Open Medical Publishing 2023-11-01
Series:Health Psychology Research
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.89726
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author Nicholas B. Washmuth
Richard Stephens
Blake McAfee
Abby D. McAfee
Christopher G. Bise
Jerry Durham
author_facet Nicholas B. Washmuth
Richard Stephens
Blake McAfee
Abby D. McAfee
Christopher G. Bise
Jerry Durham
author_sort Nicholas B. Washmuth
collection DOAJ
description # Background Swearing deserves attention in the physical therapy setting due to its potential positive effects on pain, physical performance, and therapeutic alliance. The purpose of this case report is to describe the strategic use of swearing in the clinical setting. # Case Presentation A 44-year-old female completed an episode of physical therapy after undergoing patellofemoral arthroplasty. Swearing was formally included into the plan of care, and the patient swore out loud during the most challenging and painful interventions. # Results The patient reported that repeating a swear word was funny, distracted the patient, and made the patient feel more confident. The patient and physical therapist self-reported a strong therapeutic alliance. # Conclusion There is evidence repeating a swear word out loud can strengthen the therapeutic alliance, improve physical performance, and decrease pain. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of a patient swearing during an episode of physical therapy care.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2420-8124
language English
publishDate 2023-11-01
publisher Open Medical Publishing
record_format Article
series Health Psychology Research
spelling doaj-art-45a760aa2c324518a24212cdb15089e42025-02-11T20:30:38ZengOpen Medical PublishingHealth Psychology Research2420-81242023-11-0111Using expletives to enhance therapeutic outcomes: A case reportNicholas B. WashmuthRichard StephensBlake McAfeeAbby D. McAfeeChristopher G. BiseJerry Durham# Background Swearing deserves attention in the physical therapy setting due to its potential positive effects on pain, physical performance, and therapeutic alliance. The purpose of this case report is to describe the strategic use of swearing in the clinical setting. # Case Presentation A 44-year-old female completed an episode of physical therapy after undergoing patellofemoral arthroplasty. Swearing was formally included into the plan of care, and the patient swore out loud during the most challenging and painful interventions. # Results The patient reported that repeating a swear word was funny, distracted the patient, and made the patient feel more confident. The patient and physical therapist self-reported a strong therapeutic alliance. # Conclusion There is evidence repeating a swear word out loud can strengthen the therapeutic alliance, improve physical performance, and decrease pain. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of a patient swearing during an episode of physical therapy care.https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.89726
spellingShingle Nicholas B. Washmuth
Richard Stephens
Blake McAfee
Abby D. McAfee
Christopher G. Bise
Jerry Durham
Using expletives to enhance therapeutic outcomes: A case report
Health Psychology Research
title Using expletives to enhance therapeutic outcomes: A case report
title_full Using expletives to enhance therapeutic outcomes: A case report
title_fullStr Using expletives to enhance therapeutic outcomes: A case report
title_full_unstemmed Using expletives to enhance therapeutic outcomes: A case report
title_short Using expletives to enhance therapeutic outcomes: A case report
title_sort using expletives to enhance therapeutic outcomes a case report
url https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.89726
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