PATIENT SELF-EFFICACY IN PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR CHRONIC MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN: A SCOPING REVIEW

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) represents a major global health challenge, associated not only with physical disability but also with psychological distress, reduced social participation, and decreased quality of life. Despite the complexity of this condition, individuals with chronic pain often encounter fragmented care systems, where comprehensive evaluation and integrated management are lacking. A key element influencing rehabilitation success is patient self-efficacy—defined as the belief in one’s ability to carry out behaviors necessary to manage pain and maintain daily function. Strong evidence shows that self-efficacy plays a critical role in treatment adherence, engagement with physiotherapy, and sustained behavior change. However, there is still a lack of conceptual clarity, methodological consistency, and consensus regarding how self-efficacy is defined, assessed, and incorporated into physiotherapy for patients with CMP. This scoping review aims to: - Provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on the concept of patient self-efficacy in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain within physiotherapy. - Identify the theoretical and practical components that define self-efficacy in this context. - Examine the methodologies and measurement tools used to assess self-efficacy in individuals with CMP. The review will search the following databases from 1999 to June 2025: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Rehabilitation Reference Center. Grey literature will be retrieved through Google Scholar, Trip database, and Papers First. Data will be extracted and mapped descriptively, including the frequency and distribution of concepts, populations, characteristics, and measurement approaches. Expected outcomes include the first evidence-based mapping of self-efficacy constructs, their defining elements, and the tools used to measure them in physiotherapy practice for CMP. By clarifying the definition and application of self-efficacy, this review will provide a foundation for researchers and clinicians to align theoretical frameworks with clinical practice. Ultimately, these insights may guide the integration of self-efficacy as a key therapeutic target, enhancing the quality and effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.