Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40892752›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Using protection motivation theory to support patient adherence in healthcare settings: A scoping review.

Olivia Hawksworth, Jemima Solt, Dowon Jang, Paul Norman, Daniel Hind, Raveen Jayasuriya

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Olivia HawksworthClinical Trials Research Unit, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6513-100X
Jemima SoltSchool of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0859-7001
Dowon JangSchool of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Paul NormanDepartment of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Daniel HindClinical Trials Research Unit, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Raveen JayasuriyaSchool of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundProtection motivation theory (PMT) shows promise as a basis for motivating healthy behaviours in healthcare settings. There has been no systematic overview of how PMT has been translated into clinical practice and which translation strategies effectively improve outcomes.

objectivesThis scoping review aimed to systematically map and synthesise existing literature on PMT-based interventions targeting health behaviours in healthcare contexts.

methodsMedline, PsycINFO, and EMBASE were searched for studies applying PMT within healthcare contexts. Eligible populations had a clinical condition. To be eligible, studies had to report a healthcare-delivered PMT intervention with adherence outcomes directly benefiting participants. Two reviewers extracted data on study features, intervention characteristics including behaviour change techniques employed, PMT constructs addressed, results, and research recommendations. Findings were summarised narratively and tabulated.

resultsThirteen studies published between 1998 and 2023 met the eligibility criteria, including 12 randomised trials. Studies addressed acute and chronic conditions across primary, secondary, and non-clinical settings. Half significantly improved behaviour outcomes in intervention groups. All targeted coping-self-efficacy and perceived threat-severity PMT constructs to some degree. Combinations of behaviour change techniques did not clearly differentiate successful outcomes. Studies recommended longer follow-up, clarifying effective PMT component combinations, and drawing on multiple behaviour theories. DISCUSSION: Despite heterogeneity in how PMT interventions were operationalised, they show potential benefits for motivating adherence to healthy behaviours. To enable optimisation and dissemination, consistent nonadherence detection and reporting methods are critical. Further research should include translation of PMT to other healthcare settings, refining methodology and implementing well-powered effectiveness trials in routine care.

Indexed as

MotivationPatient ComplianceDelivery of Health CareHealth BehaviorHumans

Identifiers

PMID40892752
PMCPMC12404470

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.