# Beyond the lungs: patients’ experiences of musculoskeletal symptoms and manual therapy in cystic fibrosis care – A qualitative interview study

## TL;DR

This study explores how people with cystic fibrosis experience musculoskeletal symptoms and find manual therapy helpful in improving their quality of life.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the under-explored impact of musculoskeletal health and manual therapies in cystic fibrosis care.

## Key findings

- Patients with cystic fibrosis experience musculoskeletal symptoms affecting the thoracic cage.
- Manual therapy interventions provide symptom relief and improve body awareness.
- Patients advocate for integrating manual therapies as complementary care to enhance quality of life.

## Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a severe hereditary disease that affects multiple organ systems. Among these, the musculoskeletal system is an under-explored area. This interview study aimed to explore experiences of musculoskeletal symptoms and of manual therapies as complementary care in this context.

Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from ten respondents. The data were subsequently analyzed through content analysis with an inductive approach in accordance with the method of Elo and Kyngäs.

The analysis resulted in three main categories; 1) Living with CF involves musculoskeletal health challenges, 2) Manual therapies impact daily life for people with CF, and 3) People with CF aspire for broader and more collaborative respiratory care.

The respondents described musculoskeletal symptoms in and around the thoracic cage. They experienced symptom relief and increased body awareness following manual therapy interventions (MTI) and recommended that these methods be offered as complementary care to enhance quality of life.