Programmes based on social learning may raise patients' belief in their abilities

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   1,947 people in 25 studies, 79% of them women, with an average age of about 65. Eleven studies covered hip or knee arthritis or surgery, and two covered young athletes after sports injury. Fourteen studies were from the USA.

2. 02

   What they did

   Studies that compared groups tested programmes based on social learning ideas against usual care or other groups. Of the 20 studies, 12 only measured how confidence was linked to outcomes such as walking.

3. 03

   What happened

   The pooled effect was large across 20 studies. But 12 of those only measured links, not group comparisons. Only about 1 in 7 quantitative studies justified their sample size, and no test for missing studies is reported.

What the review found

1. Helped

   Across 20 studies, social learning programmes left patients more sure of themselves.

   Pooled analysis of 20 studies · vs people on usual care or waiting lists · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

Source