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What Is the Effect of Health Coaching Delivered by Physical Therapists? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Rethorn, ZD; Pettitt, CD
Published in: Phys Ther
October 28, 2019

BACKGROUND: Health coaching has emerged as an intervention for improving health behaviors. Given the recent increased integration of health coaching into physical therapist practice, there has been a subsequent rise in research examining the effects of health coaching provided by physical therapists. However, there is a lack of literature summarizing the effectiveness of health coaching delivered by physical therapists in changing patient health behaviors. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the effects of health coaching delivered by physical therapists on promoting participant health behaviors. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PEDro, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to May 26, 2018, to identify randomized controlled trials examining the effects of health coaching delivered by physical therapists. STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts according to inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine study eligibility. DATA EXTRACTION: Methodological quality was assessed using Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scores. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias assessment tool. Data were extracted using a standardized data extraction form describing study methods, design, and outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: Eleven trials met the inclusion criteria for this study. Health coaching produced positive effects on physical activity (6 studies) as well as physiological and psychological secondary outcomes. LIMITATIONS: The inclusion of only 11 randomized controlled trials in this review could limit the generalizability of the findings. The heterogeneity of the findings precluded the performance of a meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Research on the effectiveness of health coaching delivered by physical therapists on health behavior outcomes is mixed. Data indicate statistically significant changes in some health behavior, physiological, and psychological outcomes.

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Published In

Phys Ther

DOI

EISSN

1538-6724

Publication Date

October 28, 2019

Volume

99

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1354 / 1370

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Rehabilitation
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Quality of Life
  • Physical Therapists
  • Mentoring
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Exercise
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences
 

Citation

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Rethorn, Z. D., & Pettitt, C. D. (2019). What Is the Effect of Health Coaching Delivered by Physical Therapists? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Phys Ther, 99(10), 1354–1370. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzz098
Rethorn, Zachary D., and Cherie D. Pettitt. “What Is the Effect of Health Coaching Delivered by Physical Therapists? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.Phys Ther 99, no. 10 (October 28, 2019): 1354–70. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzz098.
Rethorn, Zachary D., and Cherie D. Pettitt. “What Is the Effect of Health Coaching Delivered by Physical Therapists? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.Phys Ther, vol. 99, no. 10, Oct. 2019, pp. 1354–70. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/ptj/pzz098.
Journal cover image

Published In

Phys Ther

DOI

EISSN

1538-6724

Publication Date

October 28, 2019

Volume

99

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1354 / 1370

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Rehabilitation
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Quality of Life
  • Physical Therapists
  • Mentoring
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Exercise
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences