This systematic review evaluates the evidence for lumbopelvic neuromuscular training (LNMT) in individuals after musculoskeletal (MSK) injury. A total of 2312 articles were initially identified, twenty-nine articles met the inclusion criteria for review and were divided into categories of lower extremity (LE), lumbar, and upper extremity (UE). Two out of 3 LE randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 9/26 lumbar RCTs were rated with high methodological quality based on the scoring system described by van Tulder et al. The average quality score for the LE RCTs was 6.3 (range = 4-9) and for the lumbar RCTs was 5.1 (range = 2-9). The evidence for the effectiveness of the 3 LE studies was rated as conflicting, whereas 24 lumbar studies demonstrated moderate-to-strong evidence. The authors found that unfortunately, eterogeneity of populations, interventions, and outcomes precluded a quantitative meta-analysis and specific clinical recommendations.
In conclusion, high-quality evidence is lacking to make specific clinical recommendations for or against the use of LNMT in the rehabilitation of individuals after MSK injury. Based on the review, future research should focus on well-defined, homogeneous populations, interventions specifically addressing neuromuscular activation of the lumbopelvic musculature, patient-specific clinical outcomes, measures of motor control, biomechanics, and return to specific activities.