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Exercise for the prevention of low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials

Exercise for the prevention of low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials
Exercise for the prevention of low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials

The aim of this systematic review and meta-Analysis was to assess the effect of exercise in population-based interventions to prevent low back pain (LBP) and associated disability. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted in multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, from their inception through June 2017. Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 3 nonrandomized controlled trials (NRCTs) qualified for the meta-Analysis. Exercise alone reduced the risk of LBP by 33% (risk ratio = 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.53, 0.85; I 2 = 23%, 8 RCTs, n = 1,634), and exercise combined with education reduced it by 27% (risk ratio = 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.59, 0.91; I 2 = 6%, 6 trials, n = 1,381). The severity of LBP and disability from LBP were also lower in exercise groups than in control groups. Moreover, results were not changed by excluding the NRCTs or adjusting for publication bias. Few trials assessed health-care consultation or sick leave for LBP, and meta-Analyses did not show statistically significant protective effects of exercise on those outcomes. Exercise reduces the risk of LBP and associated disability, and a combination of strengthening with either stretching or aerobic exercises performed 2-3 times per week can reasonably be recommended for prevention of LBP in the general population.

exercise, leisure activities, low back pain, primary prevention, referral and consultation, sick leave
0002-9262
1093-1101
Shiri, Rahman
ab63546b-2195-4b93-9369-d84d5ee8d4a3
Coggon, David
2b43ce0a-cc61-4d86-b15d-794208ffa5d3
Falah-Hassani, Kobra
2b413763-068c-48ca-b491-7b4efd74d92e
Shiri, Rahman
ab63546b-2195-4b93-9369-d84d5ee8d4a3
Coggon, David
2b43ce0a-cc61-4d86-b15d-794208ffa5d3
Falah-Hassani, Kobra
2b413763-068c-48ca-b491-7b4efd74d92e

Shiri, Rahman, Coggon, David and Falah-Hassani, Kobra (2018) Exercise for the prevention of low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. American Journal of Epidemiology, 187 (5), 1093-1101. (doi:10.1093/aje/kwx337).

Record type: Review

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review and meta-Analysis was to assess the effect of exercise in population-based interventions to prevent low back pain (LBP) and associated disability. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted in multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, from their inception through June 2017. Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 3 nonrandomized controlled trials (NRCTs) qualified for the meta-Analysis. Exercise alone reduced the risk of LBP by 33% (risk ratio = 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.53, 0.85; I 2 = 23%, 8 RCTs, n = 1,634), and exercise combined with education reduced it by 27% (risk ratio = 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.59, 0.91; I 2 = 6%, 6 trials, n = 1,381). The severity of LBP and disability from LBP were also lower in exercise groups than in control groups. Moreover, results were not changed by excluding the NRCTs or adjusting for publication bias. Few trials assessed health-care consultation or sick leave for LBP, and meta-Analyses did not show statistically significant protective effects of exercise on those outcomes. Exercise reduces the risk of LBP and associated disability, and a combination of strengthening with either stretching or aerobic exercises performed 2-3 times per week can reasonably be recommended for prevention of LBP in the general population.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 5 October 2017
e-pub ahead of print date: 19 October 2017
Published date: 1 May 2018
Keywords: exercise, leisure activities, low back pain, primary prevention, referral and consultation, sick leave

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 421499
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/421499
ISSN: 0002-9262
PURE UUID: b122d7be-c35c-4cf7-9c78-45e5f859fd9d
ORCID for David Coggon: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-1930-3987

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 14 Jun 2018 16:30
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 02:43

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Contributors

Author: Rahman Shiri
Author: David Coggon ORCID iD
Author: Kobra Falah-Hassani

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