Effectiveness of specific exercise training on Low Back Pain – Network Meta-Analysis
The extant literature has diverse viewpoint on the effectiveness of different exercises and approaches to treat Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain (NSCLBP). Hence, the effect of specific exercise is still unclear. Patrick J. Owen and colleagues (2020) has conducted Network Meta-Analysis (NMA), entitled “Which specific modes of exercise training are most effective for treating low back pain? Network meta-analysis” published in “The British Journal of Sports Medicine”, to study the effectiveness of specific exercises. The summary of the study is mentioned below:
Objective:
To study how specific exercise training helps an adult with NSCLBP.
To examine the effect of exercise on mental health, physical function, analgesic pharmacotherapy, trunk muscle strength, and endurance.
To compare exercise training with non-exercise treatment.
Method:
NMA of researches published till May 2019 including adults (≥18years) with NSCLBP was conducted.
Findings:
Exercises differ depending on the specific outcomes. Hence, as per the review Pilates is best suited to overcome pain; Resistance and Aerobic Exercises are suitable for improved Mental health; physical function is Resistance, Stabilization/Motor control Exercise
The study provides evidence that exercise under guidance provides motivation and progressive results. Additionally, it is founded that non-training treatments i.e. Hand-on (e.g. Manual therapy) and Hands-off (e.g. education, general practitioner management) are not that effective in comparison to exercise training. Exercises also improve pain, physical body function, mental health, and muscle strength.
Limitations:
The authors suggest that future studies must include reports on the effectiveness of exercise on comorbidities associated with NSCLBP and the use of standardized tools for assessment. As per the authors, they unable to suggest if exercise improves trunk muscle strength, trunk muscle endurance, and reduces analgesic pharmacotherapy due to limited data. Low evidence restricted their comparison between exercise treatment and non- exercise treatment, authors add.
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