The Core Components and Instruments of the Therapeutic Relationship in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy: A Systematic Integrative Review

In musculoskeletal physiotherapy, the therapeutic relationship is a multidimensional and dynamic construct encompassing therapeutic partnership and collaborative person-centred practice. Physiotherapists can actively influence the therapeutic relationship by utilising multimodal communication, implementing person-centred care strategies, and supporting patients' agency and empowerment. Existing patient-reported therapeutic relationship instruments capture these components only partially. Future research is needed to strengthen conceptual clarity and refine both the operationalisation and assessment of the therapeutic relationship in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.