Defining Therapeutic Patient Education in Musculoskeletal Care: A Scoping Review of Key Themes, Delivery Methods and Intervention Parameters

OBJECTIVE: To describe the core elements of therapeutic patient education programs for adults with subacute and chronic MSK conditions. DESIGN: Scoping review to identify specific components of therapeutic patient education programs. LITERATURE SEARCH: Five databases were searched from 2005 to 2025. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating any types of therapeutic patient education in adults with MSK conditions, compared to rehabilitation interventions. DATA SYNTHESIS: A descriptive synthesis was conducted based on three core elements of therapeutic patient education: the themes (activity modification, behavioural approaches, exercise intensity and pain response, pain biology, pain self-management, pathoanatomical/diagnosis, and posture), their delivery methods (contextual examples, education sessions, group interaction, personalized sessions, self-reflection, video, and written materials), and the intervention parameters (duration/session, number of sessions, number of sessions/week, and duration of follow-up). RESULTS: Seventy therapeutic patient education programs were identified across 62 RCTs. The most frequently addressed themes were pain biology and pathoanatomical/diagnostic. Education was most frequently delivered through education sessions with verbal explanation, personalized sessions, and written materials. Intervention parameters varied depending on whether the education program was implemented as a stand-alone intervention or combined with other approaches. The general trend observed was 3 to 4 sessions of 40 to 60 minutes over a period of one month and an average of 2.5 topics covered. CONCLUSION: Despite variability in program components, our review provides a foundation for clinicians and underscores the need for future research to identify key elements of therapeutic patient education.