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Inconsistent grading of evidence across countries: a review of low back pain guidelines

Inconsistent grading of evidence across countries: a review of low back pain guidelines
Inconsistent grading of evidence across countries: a review of low back pain guidelines
Objective The aim of this study was to report clinical treatment recommendations for low back pain (LBP) based on 5 international guidelines and best evidence from the Cochrane database of systematic reviews.
Methods Five LBP guidelines available in English language were appraised, including 4 studies published since the seminal work by Koes et al (Spine 2001;26:2504-5213). The guidelines were examined for treatment recommendations concerning nonspecific LBP and guideline quality with application of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation instrument. Secondly, a systematic literature search for reviews and randomized controlled trials was conducted using a modified version of the search strategy recommended by the Cochrane Back Review Group. Two systematic reviews were identified.
Results According to best evidence from review of the Cochrane database of systematic reviews, there remains a lack of consensus regarding reported efficacy of spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of nonspecific LBP. Furthermore, the guidelines reviewed in the present study have not changed significantly with respect to treatment recommendations for nonspecific LBP since the original review, and there is inconsistency between the guidelines regarding optimal time to introduce spinal manipulation to treat nonspecific LBP.
Conclusion Treatment recommendations for nonspecific LBP, particularly spinal manipulation, remain inconclusive. Guideline developers need to consider guidelines in neighboring countries and reach consensus on how evidence is graded and incorporated into guidelines. Guidelines should continue to be regularly updated to incorporate new evidence and methods of grading the evidence.
low back pain, LBP, Cochrane database, systematic reviews, spinal manipulation
0161-4754
576-581
Murphy, Audrey Y.M.T.
dc99963e-c6c2-4325-9bd5-ab242ba5907e
van Teijiligen, Edwin R.
d349fdc1-60ac-4e76-81f8-37ce0eb72ecf
Gobbi, Mary O.
829a5669-2d52-44ef-be96-bc57bf20bea0
Murphy, Audrey Y.M.T.
dc99963e-c6c2-4325-9bd5-ab242ba5907e
van Teijiligen, Edwin R.
d349fdc1-60ac-4e76-81f8-37ce0eb72ecf
Gobbi, Mary O.
829a5669-2d52-44ef-be96-bc57bf20bea0

Murphy, Audrey Y.M.T., van Teijiligen, Edwin R. and Gobbi, Mary O. (2006) Inconsistent grading of evidence across countries: a review of low back pain guidelines. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 29 (7), 576-581. (doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2006.07.005).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to report clinical treatment recommendations for low back pain (LBP) based on 5 international guidelines and best evidence from the Cochrane database of systematic reviews.
Methods Five LBP guidelines available in English language were appraised, including 4 studies published since the seminal work by Koes et al (Spine 2001;26:2504-5213). The guidelines were examined for treatment recommendations concerning nonspecific LBP and guideline quality with application of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation instrument. Secondly, a systematic literature search for reviews and randomized controlled trials was conducted using a modified version of the search strategy recommended by the Cochrane Back Review Group. Two systematic reviews were identified.
Results According to best evidence from review of the Cochrane database of systematic reviews, there remains a lack of consensus regarding reported efficacy of spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of nonspecific LBP. Furthermore, the guidelines reviewed in the present study have not changed significantly with respect to treatment recommendations for nonspecific LBP since the original review, and there is inconsistency between the guidelines regarding optimal time to introduce spinal manipulation to treat nonspecific LBP.
Conclusion Treatment recommendations for nonspecific LBP, particularly spinal manipulation, remain inconclusive. Guideline developers need to consider guidelines in neighboring countries and reach consensus on how evidence is graded and incorporated into guidelines. Guidelines should continue to be regularly updated to incorporate new evidence and methods of grading the evidence.

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More information

Submitted date: March 2006
Published date: September 2006
Keywords: low back pain, LBP, Cochrane database, systematic reviews, spinal manipulation

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 42502
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/42502
ISSN: 0161-4754
PURE UUID: 96298ca0-4a88-48bd-805d-10e9e6743461

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 15 Dec 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 08:49

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Contributors

Author: Audrey Y.M.T. Murphy
Author: Edwin R. van Teijiligen
Author: Mary O. Gobbi

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