A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions Delivered by Physiotherapists on Pain, Disability and Psychological Outcomes in Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions. Issue 9 (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Silva Guerrero, Alma Viviana; Maujean, Annick; Campbell, Letitia; Sterling, Michele
• Is Part Of: Clinical journal of pain. Volume 34:Issue 9(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: musculoskeletal pain conditions -- psychological outcomes -- psychological interventions -- systematic review -- meta-analysis; Pain -- Periodicals; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Analgesia -- Periodicals; 616.047205
• DOI: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0749-8047

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of physiotherapist delivered psychological interventions combined with physiotherapy on pain, disability, and psychological outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal pain conditions. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with the (PRISMA) guidelines. Five databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials from inception to May 2016. Studies were required to compare a psychological intervention delivered by physiotherapists combined with physiotherapy to physiotherapy alone or usual care. Physiotherapists delivering the interventions must have undergone training by a psychologist or a health professional trained in the delivery of psychological interventions. Results: A total of 34 articles met the eligibility criteria, of those, 30 were suitable for meta-analysis. There was low to high quality evidence that physiotherapist delivered psychological intervention combined with physiotherapy decreased pain in the short (26 studies, mean difference=−0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.65 to −0.09) and long term (22 studies, mean difference=−0.38; 95% CI, −0.67 to −0.10) and decreased disability in the short term (29 studies, standardized mean difference =−0.14; 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.01). Effect sizes were small. Low to high quality evidence demonstrated small to medium effects for some psychological outcomes at short-term and long-term follow-ups. Discussion: The results indicate that psychological interventions delivered by physiotherapist show promise to improve health outcomes, particularly psychological outcomes, in musculoskeletal pain conditions. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.