Assessing Patient Motivation for Treatment: A Systematic Review of Available Tools, Their Measurement Properties, and Conceptual Definition

Background and purpose: Motivation is often reported by clinicians and researchers as a key factor related to treatment and health outcomes. This systematic review aims to (a) Identify and critically appraise tools that measure patient motivation for treatment and (b) determine how these tools define and evaluate motivation.

Methods: Library databases and the search engine Google Scholar were examined. Identified tools measuring patient motivation for treatment and reported measurement properties were selected.

Results: 14 peer-reviewed articles covering 12 different tools made the final selection. Quality was assessed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) and a new measure checklist. Reliability evidence was predominantly estimated using internal consistency; validity evidence was limited, and responsiveness was seldom examined. Overall, quality ratings were poor or inadequately reported and serious methodological limitations were identified. A lack of conceptual foundation quality ratings as tools did not apply a theory related to motivation or have a clear definition of the construct of patient motivation.

Conclusions: A significant gap exists of available tools with adequate measurement properties that use relevant theoretical frameworks.