Effectiveness of exercise on work disability in patients with non-acute non-specific low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

The objective of this study was to determine whether exercise is more effective than usual care to reduce work disability in patients with non-acute non-specific low back pain, and if so, to explore which type of exercise is most effective. A total of 23 trials met the inclusion criteria, 20 of which were suitable for inclusion in meta-analysis allowing 17 comparisons of exercise interventions with usual care and 11 comparisons of 2 different exercise interventions. A statistically significant effect in favour of exercise on work disability was found in the long term but not in the short and intermediate term. Meta-regression indicated no significant effect of specific exercise characteristics.

Exercise interventions have a significant effect on work disability in patients with non-acute non-specific low back pain in the long term. No conclusions can be made regarding exercise types.

Oesch P, Kool J, Hagen KB, Bachmann S. Effectiveness of exercise on work disability in patients with non-acute non-specific low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. J Rehabil Med. 2010 Mar;42(3):193-205