Bury, Julie, Littlewood, Chris, Jinks, Clare, Mansell, Gemma, Curtis, Kristina and Yeowell, Gillian (2026). Development of The COMBINED approach: Integrating a brief behaviour change intervention supported by a physiotherapist for people with rotator cuff disorders. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 82 ,
Abstract
Background: Modifiable lifestyle factors (smoking, inactivity, overweight) could contribute to the onset and persistence of rotator cuff disorders, yet physiotherapy practice rarely addresses them. Brief interventions (BIs) can support behaviour change but are not routinely embedded in musculoskeletal care. Objectives: To develop The COMBINED approach: a physiotherapist-supported intervention integrating BI's targeting modifiable health behaviours into routine consultations for people with rotator cuff disorders; and to explore how physiotherapists can be supported to deliver it. Materials and methods: A theory-, evidence-, and pragmatic-based development process incorporated stakeholder co-design, behavioural theory, and evidence across three workstreams: (1) narrative review of BIs targeting smoking, inactivity, and weight management; (2) four co-design workshops with 26 stakeholders (physiotherapists, patients, experts) to select and adapt a BI and identify key intervention features; (3) theoretical modelling using COM-B, TDF, and BCTTv1 to map barriers/facilitators, select behaviour change techniques, and develop prototype components. Findings: Fourteen BIs were identified; Moving Medicine had greatest utility. Barriers included time constraints, limited skills and confidence, and fear of offending patients, contrasting with patients' acceptability of lifestyle conversations. Recommendations included embedding the BI into routine care, scripts, infographics, patient resources, and training. Twelve TDF domains and 20 BCTs informed prototype development comprising: (1) patient-level intervention: a BI (adapted from Moving Medicine) embedded in routine consultations with tailored resources; (2) clinician-level implementation toolkit. Conclusions: The COMBINED approach is the first formally developed intervention supporting integration of BI's within routine consultations for people with rotator cuff disorders and is now ready for feasibility testing.
| Publication DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2026.103493 |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Psychology College of Health & Life Sciences > Aston Institute of Health & Neurodevelopment (AIHN) College of Health & Life Sciences Aston University (General) |
| Funding Information: | This work was funded by Health Education England (HEE)/National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) as part of a Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship (NIHR300541); this paper presents independent research supported by the NIHR. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. |
| Additional Information: | Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Behaviour change,Brief intervention,Intervention development,Physiotherapy,Co-design,Rotator cuff disorders |
| Publication ISSN: | 2468-7812 |
| Last Modified: | 11 Feb 2026 17:01 |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Feb 2026 17:10 |
| Full Text Link: | |
| Related URLs: |
https://www.sci ... 468781226000081
(Publisher URL) |
PURE Output Type: | Article |
| Published Date: | 2026-04 |
| Published Online Date: | 2026-01-02 |
| Accepted Date: | 2026-01-02 |
| Authors: |
Bury, Julie
Littlewood, Chris Jinks, Clare Mansell, Gemma (
0000-0002-5479-2678)
Curtis, Kristina Yeowell, Gillian |
0000-0002-5479-2678