Refugee experiences of individual basic body awareness therapy and the level of transference into daily life. An interview study

SummaryPurposeThe aim of the study was to investigate refugee experiences of individual Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) and the level of transference into daily life.MethodQualitative research using semi-structured interviews. Malterud's version of Giorgi's 4-step analysis was used to analyse the data.ParticipantsThree traumatised refugees with PTSD who had completed 14–20 individual BBAT sessions.ResultsThe participants experienced the movements in BBAT as small and simple with big effects. BBAT was found to relieve pain and tension, bring peace of mind and body, and make it easier to sleep. Regular practice was necessary, as were instructions from a physiotherapist, to get the effect from BBAT. Positive changes in the contact to oneself and others were experienced and new coping strategies were developed.ConclusionTraumatised refugees experienced positive effects from BBAT and transference into daily life was experienced to a great extent.