Table 3 Original quotes as example for the indicator mental functions

A physiotherapist referred especially to the aspects of the limited drive, attention, and vigilance in the patients: “In fact, many of our patients have limited drive, attention and vigilance” (Cornelia, 53, physiotherapist, 12 y, 1: 157). However, for a music therapist the patient’s level of attention is crucial for therapy: “I realize their level of attention when they come to me, whether or not they are ready [for therapy]” (Melitta, 28, music therapist, 1 y, 1: 131). Patients referred to the importance of mental functions in the following way. Martin, a stroke patient, related his own experience of motivation and drive function in his own words: “I managed to get back my motivation gradually. I had just been through a low (point) and for two or three days I didn’t even want to see a therapist” (Martin, 56, patient, 1 y, 5: 242). A patient with rheumatism points out to the relevance of time of day concerning his readiness for any kind of therapy: „I feel a lot more motivation in the afternoon, as that’s when I’m in the right [physical] state [for therapy]” (Gernot, 19, patient, <  1 y, 5: 174). However, another patient with sensorimotor impairment emphasises the importance of self-motivation for therapy sessions at any given time: „I think you have to get yourself in the right mood, don’t you? When you look at the schedule, you see ‘So I’ve got such a session at such a time’, then you’ve just got to get yourself in the right mood” (Thomas, 50, patient, 2 y, 3: 272).