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Table 2 Summary of the content of the supervised exercise component of both interventions

From: Exercise combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ExACT) compared to a supervised exercise programme for adults with chronic pain: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Session

Education/advice (30 min)

Exercise (1 h)

1

Introduction to exercise

Pool orientation

Induction to gym programme

Demonstration of gym exercises

Gym exercise:

Gentle warm up – walking and stretches

Brief gym circuit

Cool down

2

Group discussion on goal setting

Provision of individual home exercise programme HEP created by physiotherapist based on patient’s individual goals

Hydrotherapy

Warm up

Gentle aerobic and buoyancy assisted and resisted exercises

3

Understanding pain

Group will be shown the YouTube video ‘understanding pain in 5 minutes’ followed by a group question/answer session

Hydrotherapy

Warm up

Aerobic, strengthening exercises and informal pool games

4

Group discussion about physical activity, introduction to pacing and principles of graded exposure

Time to answer any questions from participants

Hydrotherapy

Continuation of above and gentle progression of exercises

5

Group discussion on pacing and graded exposure including potential challenges that may be arising regarding putting principles into practice

Hydrotherapy

Continuation of above and gentle progression of exercises

6

Continued group discussion on progress and problem solving

Gym session – participants are free to perform exercises from their individualised exercise programme or other exercises of their own choosing under the guidance of the physiotherapist

7

Group discussion on progress and problem solving. Introduce topic of maintaining behaviour change

Gym session

Continuation of above and progression of exercise under guidance of physiotherapist

8

Wrap-up session including preparation for maintaining an active lifestyle and managing setbacks

Gym session

Continuation of above and progression of exercise under guidance of physiotherapist