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 fact that only 11 randomized controlled trials were included in this review may 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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