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Review: spinal manipulative therapy is not better than standard treatments for low back pain

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 Q In patients with low back pain, is spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) effective for reducing pain and improving function?

Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★☆☆ Rheumatology ★★★★★★☆

METHODS

Embedded ImageData sources:

Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (to 2000), and reference lists.

Embedded ImageStudy selection and assessment:

randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated manipulation or mobilisation in patients with back pain. Cointerventions were allowed. 2 reviewers assessed the quality of study methods.

Embedded ImageOutcomes:

pain (visual analogue or other scales) and functional status (back pain specific scales).

MAIN RESULTS

39 studies (5486 patients) met the selection criteria. Acute low back pain (<3 wk duration). SMT led to short term improvement in pain when compared with sham therapy and to …

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Footnotes

  • For correspondence: Dr W Assendelft, The Cochrane Back Review Group, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. P.assendelftnhg-nl.org

  • Source of funding: not stated.