The term ‘optimism’ means “hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.” We all know folks who are either glass half full or half empty types, but have you ever considered how much your outlook impacts your health outcomes, particularly in terms of physical therapy?
We wanted to take a moment to highlight the impact of optimism on PT, as well as provide some tools you can use to improve your overall perspective toward your musculoskeletal condition or injury.
Good Outlook, Good Outcome
There have been a wealth of studies that indicate optimism leads to better physical health than pessimism does. Moreover, in contrast with optimism, pessimism is correlated with excessive somatic (body) complaints. In a recent study, Ironson et al. showed how dispositional optimism, less avoidant coping strategies, and lower levels of depression positively influence the progression of the illness in patients who have AIDS.
While much research has been done on how avoiding fear and catastrophizing pain impacts clinical results, the effect of positive psychology hasn’t been as frequently discussed. This topic, however, was recently covered in the Journal of Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy’s January 2017 issue. The article states that optimism alone may not change the outcome for patients, but was found to reduce the impact of pain catastrophizing related to shoulder function.
The Science Behind Optimism
In Sanjay Srivastava’s and Kimberly M. Angelo’s “Optimism, Effects on Relationships,” they take a closer look at patient mindset:
“Charles Carver and Michael Scheier, who have theorized and written extensively about optimism, have proposed that the associations between optimism and positive outcomes can be explained using an expectancy-value model of self-regulation and goals.
Their model starts with the key assumption that nearly all behavior is driven, implicitly or explicitly, by goals. According to an expectancy-value model, goal-driven behavior is energized by two factors. The value of a goal refers to its desirability to the individual. Expectancies refer to beliefs about the attainability of goals . . . [An] individual will be more persistent in pursuing a goal when that goal is greatly valued and when the individual expects to be successful in attaining the goal . . .
In support of this model, research on coping strategies has indicated that optimists are indeed more persistent and more successful in pursuing goals. When faced with challenges or obstacles, optimists are more likely to use approach-oriented coping strategies like active coping, planning, positive reinterpretation, and less likely to use avoidance-oriented coping strategies like denial and behavioral disengagement. Optimists are also more likely to use coping strategies that target a problem directly when doing so would be effective; but when a problem is unresolvable or uncontrollable, they make use of emotion-based strategies like acceptance, humor, and positive reframing in order to lessen the problem’s impact.”
How to Bring Optimism to Your PT
If you are feeling fearful and pessimistic toward your injury, it’s important to discuss this with your physical therapist. We are here to support you and give you a better picture of the prognosis moving forward. At Set Physical Therapy, we approach each patient with optimism! We endeavor towards a more functional status when you are seeing us for PT. This means that we approach each patient from an optimistic viewpoint that continually looks and points towards helping you return to doing the things you love to do.
However, we need your help in this process. We need you to work with us by keeping a positive outlook on your injury or condition, coming up with some focused goals that you would like to reach, and making a commitment in working toward those goals by doing your homework (home exercise program).
Thank you for entrusting us to be part of your team and working with us to reach your goals.
