Patient groups | Outcomes | Comparisons | Number of studies | Hedges g effect size (95% CI) |
---|---|---|---|---|
*GP = general practice; PT = physical therapy. Effect sizes calculated using meta-regression. Positive effect sizes favour SMT. All effect sizes are statistically non-significant. | ||||
Acute low back pain (<3 wk) | Long term pain | GP care/analgesics | 2 | −2 (−9 to 5) |
PT/exercise | 3 | −1 (−8 to 5) | ||
Back school | 1 | −3 (−16 to 10) | ||
Long term function | GP care/analgesics | 3 | 3.6 (−1.9 to 9.2) | |
PT/exercise | 3 | −1.5 (−6.9 to 3.8) | ||
Chronic low back pain (>13 wk) | Long term pain | GP care/analgesics | 4 | 0 (−6 to 7) |
PT/exercise | 3 | 1 (−5 to 7) | ||
Back school | 1 | 1 (−13 to 12) | ||
Long term function | GP care/analgesics | 3 | 0.8 (−4.6 to 6.1) | |
PT/exercise | 3 | −4.4 (−9.7 to 0.9) |