OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of web-based pain education programs without clinical support in patients with musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: We searched on PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO from inception to February 2020. Included studies were randomized clinical trials in which people with musculoskeletal pain were allocated to an experimental group that received web-based pain education as a standalone approach. Three review authors performed data extraction. PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. The primary outcomes were pain intensity and disability. RESULTS: We included six trials with a total of 1,664 participants. There is moderate quality evidence with small effect size that web-based pain education programs, as a standalone approach, is better than minimal intervention (no intervention or booklets) for pain intensity (SMD -0.23, 95% CI -0.43 to -0.04) at short-term and at intermediate-term (SMD -0.26, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.10). Regarding to disability, there is low quality evidence that web-based pain education programs is better than minimal intervention (SMD -0.36, CI 95% -0.64 to -0.07) at short-term. Web-based pain education added to usual care was no better than usual care alone at intermediate or long-term for primary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Web-based pain education for adults with musculoskeletal pain, as a standalone approach, showed to be better than minimal intervention for pain intensity and disability at short-term, and for pain intensity at intermediate-term. Web-based pain education added to usual care did not provide additional benefits for primary oucomes at intermediate or long-term.

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