A Core Outcome Set for Exercise and Physical Activity Interventions for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSKD) create a significant burden on individuals and society. Physical activity is an effective way of self-managing MSKD. Global health policy routinely recommends the instigation of management approaches to support people with MSKD to engage in physical activity. However, there is considerable heterogeneity in outcome measurement and establishing whether interventions are effective or not. A way of addressing this is to develop a core outcome set (COS). This study aims to identify a COS for exercise and physical activity interventions for people with MSKD. Methods: Guidance from the COMET initiative was followed. The study had two phases. 1) A systematic search of effectiveness studies investigating interventions that aim to increase physical activity levels in people with MSKD was conducted. All outcome concepts evaluated were extracted from the included studies. 2) Patients with MSKD and expert stakeholders then participated in an online and workshop-based consensus process. In accordance with other COS development studies, 70% agreement was required for a concept to be included in the final COS. Results: Phase 1: 25 studies were identified from the systematic searches and 50 conceptually different outcomes were extracted. Phase 2: 14 group members were recruited to the consensus phase. Function, Patient satisfaction, Physical activity, Quality of Life, Pain, Cost-effectiveness, Self-efficacy, Knowledge to plan future exercise, Utilisation of health services were the concepts that reached the 70% threshold for inclusion in the final COS. Conclusions: This study provides a COS that could provide an outcome measurement strategy in interventions that aim to increase exercise and physical activity in people with MSKD.