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Review
. 2016 Jan 8;2016(1):CD012004.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012004.

Motor control exercise for chronic non-specific low-back pain

Bruno T Saragiotto  1 , Christopher G Maher, Tiê P Yamato, Leonardo O P Costa, Luciola C Menezes Costa, Raymond W J G Ostelo, Luciana G Macedo
Affiliations
Review

Motor control exercise for chronic non-specific low-back pain

Bruno T Saragiotto et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Non-specific low back pain (LBP) is a common condition. It is reported to be a major health and socioeconomic problem associated with work absenteeism, disability and high costs for patients and society. Exercise is a modestly effective treatment for chronic LBP. However, current evidence suggests that no single form of exercise is superior to another. Among the most commonly used exercise interventions is motor control exercise (MCE). MCE intervention focuses on the activation of the deep trunk muscles and targets the restoration of control and co-ordination of these muscles, progressing to more complex and functional tasks integrating the activation of deep and global trunk muscles. While there are previous systematic reviews of the effectiveness of MCE, recently published trials justify an updated systematic review.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of MCE in patients with chronic non-specific LBP.

Search methods: We conducted electronic searches in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, five other databases and two trials registers from their inception up to April 2015. We also performed citation tracking and searched the reference lists of reviews and eligible trials.

Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effectiveness of MCE in patients with chronic non-specific LBP. We included trials comparing MCE with no treatment, another treatment or that added MCE as a supplement to other interventions. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and disability. We considered function, quality of life, return to work or recurrence as secondary outcomes. All outcomes must have been measured with a valid and reliable instrument.

Data collection and analysis: Two independent review authors screened the search results, assessed risk of bias and extracted the data. A third independent review author resolved any disagreement. We assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Back and Neck (CBN) Review Group expanded 12-item criteria (Furlan 2009). We extracted mean scores, standard deviations and sample sizes from the included trials, and if this information was not provided we calculated or estimated them using methods recommended in the Cochrane Handbook. We also contacted the authors of the trials for any missing or unclear information. We considered the following time points: short-term (less than three months after randomisation); intermediate (at least three months but less than 12 months after randomisation); and long-term (12 months or more after randomisation) follow-up. We assessed heterogeneity by visual inspection of the forest plots, and by calculating the Chi(2) test and the I(2) statistic. We combined results in a meta-analysis expressed as mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We assessed the overall quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach.

Main results: We included 29 trials (n = 2431) in this review. The study sample sizes ranged from 20 to 323 participants. We considered a total of 76.6% of the included trials to have a low risk of bias, representing 86% of all participants. There is low to high quality evidence that MCE is not clinically more effective than other exercises for all follow-up periods and outcomes tested. When compared with minimal intervention, there is low to moderate quality evidence that MCE is effective for improving pain at short, intermediate and long-term follow-up with medium effect sizes (long-term, MD -12.97; 95% CI -18.51 to -7.42). There was also a clinically important difference for the outcomes function and global impression of recovery compared with minimal intervention. There is moderate to high quality evidence that there is no clinically important difference between MCE and manual therapy for all follow-up periods and outcomes tested. Finally, there is very low to low quality evidence that MCE is clinically more effective than exercise and electrophysical agents (EPA) for pain, disability, global impression of recovery and quality of life with medium to large effect sizes (pain at short term, MD -30.18; 95% CI -35.32 to -25.05). Minor or no adverse events were reported in the included trials.

Authors' conclusions: There is very low to moderate quality evidence that MCE has a clinically important effect compared with a minimal intervention for chronic low back pain. There is very low to low quality evidence that MCE has a clinically important effect compared with exercise plus EPA. There is moderate to high quality evidence that MCE provides similar outcomes to manual therapies and low to moderate quality evidence that it provides similar outcomes to other forms of exercises. Given the evidence that MCE is not superior to other forms of exercise, the choice of exercise for chronic LBP should probably depend on patient or therapist preferences, therapist training, costs and safety.

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Conflict of interest statement

Bruno Saragiotto has no conflicts of interest.

Professor Prof Chris Maher is author of two included studies (Costa 2009; Macedo 2012), and participated in the inclusion process of trials in this review.

Tie Yamato has no conflicts of interest.

Dr Leonardo Costa is author of one study included in this review (Costa 2009), and participated in the inclusion process of trials in this review.

Dr Luciola Menezes Costa has no conflicts of interest.

Prof Raymond Ostelo has no conflicts of interest.

Dr Luciana Macedo is author of one study included in this review (Macedo 2012), and participated in the inclusion process of trials in this review.

Figures

1
1
Study flow diagram.
2
2
'Risk of bias' summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study.
3
3
'Risk of bias' graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.
4
4
Funnel plot of comparison: motor control exercise versus other exercises, outcome: Pain.
5
5
Funnel plot of comparison: Motor control exercise versus other exercises, outcome: Disability.
1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Motor control exercise versus other exercises, Outcome 1 Pain.
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Motor control exercise versus other exercises, Outcome 2 Disability.
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1 Motor control exercise versus other exercises, Outcome 3 Function.
1.4
1.4. Analysis
Comparison 1 Motor control exercise versus other exercises, Outcome 4 Global impression of recovery.
1.5
1.5. Analysis
Comparison 1 Motor control exercise versus other exercises, Outcome 5 Quality of life (physical component summary).
1.6
1.6. Analysis
Comparison 1 Motor control exercise versus other exercises, Outcome 6 Quality of life (mental component summary).
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2 Motor control exercise versus manual therapy, Outcome 1 Pain.
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2 Motor control exercise versus manual therapy, Outcome 2 Disability.
2.3
2.3. Analysis
Comparison 2 Motor control exercise versus manual therapy, Outcome 3 Function.
2.4
2.4. Analysis
Comparison 2 Motor control exercise versus manual therapy, Outcome 4 Global impression of recovery.
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3 Motor control exercise versus minimal intervention, Outcome 1 Pain.
3.2
3.2. Analysis
Comparison 3 Motor control exercise versus minimal intervention, Outcome 2 Disability.
3.3
3.3. Analysis
Comparison 3 Motor control exercise versus minimal intervention, Outcome 3 Function.
3.4
3.4. Analysis
Comparison 3 Motor control exercise versus minimal intervention, Outcome 4 Global impression of recovery.
4.1
4.1. Analysis
Comparison 4 Motor control exercise versus exercise and EPA, Outcome 1 Pain.
4.2
4.2. Analysis
Comparison 4 Motor control exercise versus exercise and EPA, Outcome 2 Disability.
4.3
4.3. Analysis
Comparison 4 Motor control exercise versus exercise and EPA, Outcome 3 Global impression of recovery.
4.4
4.4. Analysis
Comparison 4 Motor control exercise versus exercise and EPA, Outcome 4 Quality of life (physical component summary).
4.5
4.5. Analysis
Comparison 4 Motor control exercise versus exercise and EPA, Outcome 5 Quality of life (mental component summary).
5.1
5.1. Analysis
Comparison 5 Motor control exercise versus telerehabilitation, Outcome 1 Pain.
5.2
5.2. Analysis
Comparison 5 Motor control exercise versus telerehabilitation, Outcome 2 Disability.
5.3
5.3. Analysis
Comparison 5 Motor control exercise versus telerehabilitation, Outcome 3 Quality of life (mental component summary).
5.4
5.4. Analysis
Comparison 5 Motor control exercise versus telerehabilitation, Outcome 4 Quality of life (physical component summary).
6.1
6.1. Analysis
Comparison 6 Sensitivity analysis 1: motor control exercise versus other exercises, Outcome 1 Pain.
6.2
6.2. Analysis
Comparison 6 Sensitivity analysis 1: motor control exercise versus other exercises, Outcome 2 Disability.
7.1
7.1. Analysis
Comparison 7 Sensitivity analysis 2: motor control exercise versus minimal intervention, Outcome 1 Pain.
7.2
7.2. Analysis
Comparison 7 Sensitivity analysis 2: motor control exercise versus minimal intervention, Outcome 2 Disability.
8.1
8.1. Analysis
Comparison 8 Sensitivity analysis 3: motor control exercise versus manual therapy, Outcome 1 Pain.
8.2
8.2. Analysis
Comparison 8 Sensitivity analysis 3: motor control exercise versus manual therapy, Outcome 2 Disability.
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References

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Chan 2011 {published data only}
    1. Chan CW, Mok NW, Yeung EW. Aerobic exercise training in addition to conventional physiotherapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2011;92:1681‐5. - PubMed
Childs 2009 {published data only}
    1. Childs JD, Teyhen DS, Benedict TM, Morris JB, Fortenberry AD, McQueen RM, et al. Effects of sit‐up training versus core stabilization exercises on sit‐up performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2009;41:2072‐83. - PubMed
Childs 2010 {published data only}
    1. Childs JD, Teyhen DS, Casey PR, McCoy‐Singh KA, Feldtmann AW, Wright AC, et al. Effects of traditional sit‐up training versus core stabilization exercises on short‐term musculoskeletal injuries in us army soldiers: a cluster randomized trial. Physical Therapy 2010;90:1404‐12. - PubMed
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Chung 2013 {published data only}
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Croft 1999 {published data only}
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Durante 2010 {published data only}
    1. Durante H, Vasconcelos ECLM. Comparison between isostretching method and conventional kinesiotherapy in low back pain treatment [Comparação do método Isostretching e cinesioterapia convencional no tratamento da lombalgia]. Semina: Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde 2010;30:83‐90.
Dvorak 2011 {published data only}
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    1. Earde P, Vongsirinavarat M, Sakulsriprasert P, Vachalathiti R. Immediate effects of trunk stabilizer muscles training on muscle response time in individuals with non‐specific chronic low back pain. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 2014;97:S89‐S94. - PubMed
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Freitas 2008 {published data only}
    1. Freitas CD, D'Andrea JM. Comparison between isokinetic dynamometer and therapeutic ball exercise in chronic low back pain of mechanical origin. Fisioterapia & Pesquisa 2008;15:380‐6.
Gagnon 2005 {published data only}
    1. Gagnon LH. Efficacy of Pilates Exercises as Therapeutic Intervention in Treating Patients with Low Back Pain [Dissertation]. University of Tennessee, 2005.
Gatti 2011 {published data only}
    1. Gatti R, Faccendini S, Tettamanti A, Barbero M, Balestri A, Calori G. Efficacy of trunk balance exercises for individuals with chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 2011;41:542‐52. - PubMed
George 2011 {published data only}
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Gustafsson 2008 {published data only}
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Hagen 2010 {published data only}
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Jang 2013 {published data only}
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Javadian 2015 {published data only}
    1. Javadian Y, Akbari M, Talebi G, Taghipour‐Darzi M, Janmohammadi N. Influence of core stability exercise on lumbar vertebral instability in patients presented with chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine 2015;6(2):98‐102. - PMC - PubMed
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Kladny 2003 {published data only}
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Kline 2013 {published data only}
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Kofotolis 2008 {published data only}
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Koldas 2008 {published data only}
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Kuukkanen 1996 {published data only}
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Mannion 1999 {published data only}
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Mohseni‐Bandpei 2011 {published data only}
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Monteiro 2009 {published data only}
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Monticone 2004 {published data only}
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Moussouli 2014 {published data only}
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Navalgund 2009 {published data only}
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NCT00624533 {published data only}
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NCT01061632 {published data only}
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Nelson 1995 {published data only}
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Nelson‐Wong 2009 {published data only}
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Niemisto 2003 {published data only}
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Niemisto 2004 {published data only}
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Niemisto 2005 {published data only}
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Oguzhan 2011 {published data only}
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Pereira 2010 {published data only}
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References to studies awaiting assessment

Bayraktar 2013 {published data only}
    1. Bayraktar D, Guclu‐Gunduz A, Lambeck J, Yazici G, Aykol S, Demirci H. Core stability exercises: in water or on land? Comparison of the effects of two different core stabilization training. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2013; Vol. 72:Conference abstract.
Carmo 2013 {published data only}
    1. Carmo CM, Jacob MFA, Takara KS, Santos FG, Caromano FA, Tanaka C. Trunk stabilizing exercise and strengthening exercises in patients with non‐specific chronic low back pain: a pilot blinded randomized trial. Annals of the Rheumatic Disease 2013; Vol. 71:Abstract.
Meira 2013 {published data only}
    1. Meira DM. Functional reeducation program associated with back school improve functional disability and pain in workers with chronic low back pain: a pilot study. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2013;72:A1095.

References to ongoing studies

ACTRN12609000343202 {published data only}
    1. ACTRN12609000343202. Effects of specific physiotherapy treatment and advice versus advice alone on pain and function for people with sub‐acute reducible discogenic low back pain: a randomised controlled trial. https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=1260... (accessed 25 June 2015).
ACTRN12611000971932 {published data only}
    1. ACTRN12611000971932. A comparison of mechanical diagnosis & therapy and motor control exercises on the thickness of the trunk muscle in patients with chronic low back pain. https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=1261... (accessed 25 June 2015).
Magalhaes 2013 {published data only}
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