The effects of behavioural counselling on the determinants of health behaviour change in adults with chronic musculoskeletal conditions making lifestyle changes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Objective: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of controlled trials was carried out to examine the effect of behavioural counselling on determinants of behaviour change in adults with chronic, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Methods: Seven databases were searched up to January 2019. Two reviewers independently screened title/abstracts and full texts. Eligible trials included those including participants over 18 years of age with a chronic, painful musculoskeletal condition, a measurement of at least one behavioural determinant and lifestyle behaviour, and where behavioural counselling was the distinguishing intervention. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Meta‐analyses were conducted, using standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) when at least two trials examined the same outcome. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Results: Fourteen unique trials, reported in 16 publications, were included. Low‐quality evidence showed that behavioural counselling has a small effect on increasing self‐reported physical activity (standardized mean difference 0.26; 95% CI 0.00, 0.53). Very‐low‐quality evidence showed that behavioural counselling has a moderate effect on self‐efficacy related to physical activity (standardized mean difference 0.69; 95% CI 0.19, 1.18). Low‐quality evidence suggested that behavioural counselling has no effect on symptoms of depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Behavioural counselling may help to increase self‐reported physical activity levels in adults with chronic painful musculoskeletal conditions. Self‐efficacy may be a behavioural determinant in an underlying causal pathway explaining positive lifestyle change.