Effectiveness of motivational strategies on physical activity behavior and associated outcomes in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Background Motivational interviewing is a client‐centered counseling technique widely applied as a behavior change strategy. It has been adopted to help cancer patients modify health behaviors. The effectiveness of motivational interviewing on physical activity behavior and its associated outcomes in cancer patients is unclear. Aim The aim of this review was to determine the effect of motivational interviewing with other motivational strategies on physical activity behavior and associated outcomes in cancer patients. Methods This is a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials, following PRISMA guidelines. Eight English databases were searched from inception to October 2022. The outcomes were evaluated using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with fixed‐ and random‐effects models. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed by Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0. Results Eight trials with 450 participants were identified, with sample sizes ranging from 25 to 87. The number of motivational interviewing sessions ranged from one to 12. The types of motivational strategy intervention varied. Apart from motivational interviewing, pedometers were frequently used as a strategy. The quality of the included studies differed, with one out of eight scoring low in the overall risk of bias. Our meta‐analysis indicated that motivational interviewing with other motivational strategies significantly promoted the total physical activity level (SMD = 0.34, 95% confidence interval [0.10, 0.58], p = .005; low certainty), but not did not affect other physical and psychosocial outcomes. Conclusion The combination of motivational interviewing with other motivational strategies was beneficial in increasing the total physical activity level of cancer patients. Linking Evidence to Action Motivational interviewing can be a clinical communication skill that healthcare professionals, especially nurses, can acquire to motivate patients to change their behaviors to promote health. Future studies adopting motivational interviewing interventions could consider additional motivational strategies, such as pedometers, to maximize the benefits on physical activity behaviors.