Common reported barriers and facilitators for self-management in adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review of qualitative studies

• Published in: Musculoskeletal science & practice Vol. 56; p. 102433
• Main Authors: Spink, Alison, Wagner, Ilona, Orrock, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2021
• Subjects: Chronic musculoskeletal pain; Chronic Pain - therapy; Humans; Musculoskeletal Pain - therapy; Qualitative Research; Self management; Self management; Chronic musculoskeletal pain
• ISSN: 2468-7812; 2468-7812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2021.102433

Self-management strategies are considered a necessary component of chronic musculoskeletal pain management to address ongoing symptoms and challenges. However uptake of self-management can be impeded by a number of factors. The aim of this study was to explore common impeding and facilitating factors of self-management strategies from the patient perspective. An electronic search was performed between 2009 to May 2020 for the following databases: MEDLINE, AMED, PsychINFO, Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, and Google Scholar. The search terms included peer-reviewed qualitative or mixed-method studies investigating the perspective of chronic musculoskeletal pain patients in regards to the use of self-management strategies. Study rigor and bias was assessed using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) questionnaire specific to qualitative studies. Qualitative data was coded using a three-stage thematic synthesis process. Confidence in findings was assessed using CERQual (The Confidence in the Evidence from Review of Qualitative Research). Twenty-seven studies were included with 487 participants. Six major themes were identified and divided into external and internal influencing factors. The external influencing factors were made up of the following three themes: health care practitioner role, supportive environment, accessibility. While the three internal influencing themes were: physical factors, knowledge and understanding, and psychological factors. Learning to self-manage for patients in chronic pain required ongoing support either from healthcare practitioners or from social circles. To further assist the self-management process practitioners can improve self-efficacy through increasing patient knowledge of chronic pain, utilising goal setting and finding ways an individual can access ongoing support, either from the practitioner or through group programs. •Healthcare practitioners can positively or negatively influence self-management.•Poor communication reduced understanding of benefits of self-management.•Pain education improved acceptance and self-efficacy.•Patient centred goal setting facilitated change.•Practitioner support and guidance is necessary during implementation of strategies.