Self-management interventions for chronic disease: a systematic scoping review

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Science
• Health Behavior Change
• Chronic Disease Management

Background:

• Self-management interventions are crucial for individuals with chronic diseases.
• Physiotherapy and occupational therapy play potentially significant roles in supporting patient self-care.
• Understanding the theoretical underpinnings of these interventions is essential for optimizing their effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the specific contributions of physiotherapy and occupational therapy to self-management interventions for chronic disease.
• To identify the theoretical models underpinning these self-management interventions.

Main Methods:

• Conducted comprehensive literature searches across multiple databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, AMED, SPORTdiscus, REHABDATA).
• Screened 57 selected articles involving adults with chronic disease receiving self-management interventions delivered by physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists.
• Performed independent reviews and data extraction on participant characteristics, interventions, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Physiotherapy was reported in 47 articles, occupational therapy in 10.
• Arthritis (21 articles), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic pain (9 articles each) were common conditions.
• Social cognitive theory and self-efficacy theory were the most cited frameworks; physical activity was the primary intervention focus.

Conclusions:

• Physiotherapists and occupational therapists make moderate contributions to chronic disease self-management.
• Interventions are largely disease-specific and grounded in behavior change principles.
• Further research may elucidate optimal integration of these therapies into self-management programs.