Outcome measures used in the conservative management of people with non-specific thoracic spine pain (NTSP): a scoping review protocol.

Abstract

Non-specific thoracic spine pain (NTSP) is an under-recognised musculoskeletal condition associated with functional limitations, reduced quality of life and significant healthcare utilisation. Conservative management, including manual therapy, exercise and education, is widely used across physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic practice. However, outcome measures used in NTSP research remain heterogeneous and inconsistently defined, limiting evidence synthesis and hindering progress toward developing a core outcome set (COS). This scoping review aims to systematically map the outcome measures reported in studies evaluating conservative care for adults with non-specific TSP, thereby identifying key outcome domains to inform future COS development. This review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and is registered on the Open Science Framework. Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, AMED) will be searched from July 2005 to July 2025, supplemented by searches of PROSPERO and Google Scholar. Eligible studies will include adults (≥18 years) receiving conservative care for TSP in non-hospital settings, reporting at least one outcome measure, and published in English. Study selection will involve two independent reviewers using Covidence, with data extracted using an iterative extraction tool. Findings will be synthesised narratively and presented in tables, with a preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses flow diagram used to report study selection. No quality appraisal will be undertaken, consistent with scoping review guidance. Ethical approval is not required as this review uses published data. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations and engagement with a patient and public involvement and engagement group to support relevance and translation into future COS development.