How to develop one's counseling--demonstration of the use of single-case studies as a practical tool for evaluating the outcomes of counseling.

Abstract

The physical activity patterns of eight single cases of back patients are described across a series of counseling sessions and a 12-month follow-up. The cases demonstrate the variability of physical activity during the counseling period due to random influences in the patient's life and the possibility of total relapse of more complicated activity types after counseling. The simple behaviors like proper sitting, standing or lifting are shown to be better maintained in spite of the random influences in the patient's life. The single-case study method is demonstrated to serve as a practical tool for evaluating one's counseling in the promotion of health-related physical activity.