Movement and Function (BeFu)

The BeFu research group is a leading contributor to evidence-based knowledge and implementation in clinical physiotherapy. BeFu actively addresses health challenges through research, development, and innovation.

Physical, psychological, and social strains can cause bodily complaints and contribute to disease development. Bodily symptoms are therefore understood in the context of past experiences, current life circumstances, and social, structural, and cultural factors. This understanding provides a solid foundation for explaining how illness and symptoms arise, as well as how they can be treated and prevented.

Members of BeFu conduct both theoretical and clinical research, working in mono- and interprofessional teams. Our research focuses on the body, movement, and function—topics that are essential for health, quality of life, and participation across the lifespan.

The research ranges from functional assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of complex and long-term health problems—such as musculoskeletal disorders, dizziness, and cardiopulmonary conditions—to the development and innovation of health services to meet future health challenges. This ensures that our work is relevant to current societal needs.

BeFu members employ a variety of research methods to deepen understanding of personalized treatment, quality, and effectiveness. Our research is integrated into physiotherapy education: Bachelor in Physiotherapy, Master in Clinical Physiotherapy, the PhD programme in Health, Function, and Participation, and continuing professional education. BeFu members also teach on these programmes.

Our research includes

Team-based collaboration in primary health care
Implementation of digital tools in primary health care
Innovative treatments for chronic health conditions
Motor development
Occupational and public health
Health pedagogy

Projects

Assessment and treatment of patients with long-term dizziness in primary care.
Musculoskeletal disorders - prevalence, scope and consequences for patients with persistent vestibular hypofunction.
Reduced hearing, balance and mobility in the elderly.
Rehabilitation Cohort West (REKOVE).
Operative treatment (fusion) versus multidisciplinary rehabilitation in individuals with lower back pain.
PhD-project: Task shifting in primary care: musculoskeletal framework development, workforce training, and opportunities for service improvement.
PhD project: Concentrated rehabilitation and patients with long COVID

PhD-projects

Featured publications

Tveten KM.; Skaar A.; Onni AT.; Dragesund T.; Magnussen LH.;Tvedt MN. and Ask T. (2025) Assessment of work ability in people with musculoskeletal disorders in primary health care: a scoping review. Journal of occupational rehabilitation. DOI: 1007/s10926-025-10323-1

Opheim V.; Skagen C.; Tveten KM.; Lydersen S.; Størvold GV. and Sæther R. (2025) Changes in gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy following repeated intensive rehabilitation periods: A longitudinal study. Frontiers in pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2025.1636955

Göthner A.; Riiser K. & Tveten KM. (2025). Validity of the Alberta Infants Motor Scale in Norwegian infants aged 6–9 months through comparison with Canadian and Dutch scores. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 12, 1511965. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2024.1511965

Andersen GL.; Kløve N.; Klevberg GL.; Sandberg CU.; Tveten KM.; Klingenberg CL. and Størvold, GV. (2024) Kunnskapsbasert retningslinje for diagnostisering og oppfølging av personer med cerebral parese i Norge. Metodebok

Tveten KM. and Kalleson R. (2024). Fysioterapi på helsestasjonen. Kap. 15 i Misvær & Brænd (red). Håndbok for helsestasjoner. Kunnskapsforlaget ISBN:9788244624459

Knapstad MK, Heggdal PO, Berge JE, Nordahl SHG, Goplen FK. Psychometric Properties and Concurrent Validity of a 10-Item Questionnaire for Patients With Vestibular Disorders. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Apr 12. doi: 10.1002/ohn.762. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38606654. https://doi.org/10.1002/ohn.762

Knapstad MK,Naterstad I, Bogen B. The association between cognitive impairment, gait speed, and Walk ratio. Front Aging Neurosci. 2023 May 18;15:1092990. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1092990. PMID: 37273651; PMCID: PMC10233044. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1092990

Knapstad MK,Ask T, Skouen JS, Goplen FK, Nordahl SHG. Prevalence and consequences of concurrent dizziness on disability and quality of life in patients with long-lasting neck pain. Physiother Theory Pract. 2023 Jun;39(6):1266-1273. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2034077. Epub 2022 Feb 12. PMID: 35152809. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2022.2034077

Steensnaes MH, Knapstad MK, Goplen FK, Berge JE. Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) and quality of life: a cross-sectional study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 May 31. doi: 10.1007/s00405-023-08040-7. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37256345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-023-08040-7

Trongaard V, Knapstad MK,Moen U, Wilhelmsen K, Magnussen LH. Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Norwegian Dizziness Catastrophizing Scale in persons with dizziness. Physiother Res Int. 2023 Mar 4:e1999. doi: 10.1002/pri.1999. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36869631. https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.1999

Knapstad MK, Goplen FK, Nordahl SHG, Berge JE. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory and sickness absence: a cross-sectional study. Disabil Rehabil. 2022 Jan 1:1-5. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.2022786. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34978234. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.2022786

Sustained improvements in sick leave, fatigue and functional status following a concentrated micro-choice based treatment for patients with long COVID: A 1 year prospective uncontrolled study. Frisk B, Jürgensen M, Espehaug B, Søfteland E, Kvale G.J Psychosom Res. 2025 Feb;189:112023. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.112023. Epub 2024 Dec 20.PMID: 397213

A safe and effective micro-choice based rehabilitation for patients with long COVID: results from a quasi-experimental study. Frisk B, Jürgensen M, Espehaug B, Njøten KL, Søfteland E, Aarli BB, Kvale G.Sci Rep. 2023 Jun 9;13(1):9423. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-35991-y.PMID: 37296140

How is the organisational settings, content and availability of comprehensive multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation for people with COPD in primary healthcare in Norway: a cross-sectional study. Frisk B, Sundør IE, Dønåsen MR, Refvem OK, Borge CR.BMJ Open. 2022 Feb 17;12(2):e053503. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053503.PMID: 35177448

Exploring experiences following participation in a concentrated micro-choice-based rehabilitation programme for long covid: a focus group study. Njøten KL, Magnussen LH, Haugstvedt A, Jürgensen M, Kvale G, Frisk B.BMJ Open. 2026 Mar 11;16(3):e105215. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-105215.PMID: 41813046

First trans-diagnostic experiences with a novel micro-choice based concentrated group rehabilitation for patients with low back pain, long COVID, and type 2 diabetes: a pilot study. Kvale G, Søfteland E, Jürgensen M, Wilhelmsen-Langeland A, Haugstvedt A, Hystad SW, Ødegaard-Olsen ØT, Aarli BB, Rykken S, Frisk B.BMC Med. 2024 Jan 11;22(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s12916-023-03237-3.PMID: 38200486

Relationship between exercise capacity and fatigue, dyspnea, and lung function in non-hospitalized patients with long COVID. Njøten KL, Espehaug B, Magnussen LH, Jürgensen M, Kvale G, Søfteland E, Aarli BB, Frisk B.Physiol Rep. 2023 Nov;11(22):e15850. doi: 10.14814/phy2.15850.PMID: 37984816

Patients' experiences with participating in a team-based person-centred intervention for patients at risk of or diagnosed with COPD in general practice. Kolltveit BH, Graue M, Borge CR, Frisk B.Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2023 Sep 25;9(1):164. doi: 10.1186/s40814-023-01398-9.PMID: 37749601

Embedding Physiotherapy in General Practice: Global challenges, local solutions, and the role of First Contact Physiotherapy

Skill-m ix change and task shifting for musculoskeletal disorders in primary care: From framework development and workforce training to opportunities for service improvement

Task shifting for musculoskeletal disorders in Norwegian primary care: a qualitative interview study of general practitioners and specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapists

Head of research group

Bente Frisk

Professor

Deputy leader

Mari Kalland Knapstad

Associate Professor

Modified 20.04.26