title: Neuroreflexotherapy for nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review.
abstract: METHODS
  Systematic review.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of neuroreflexotherapy (NRT) for low back pain (LBP).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Few of the alternatives for the management of LBP have a firm base of evidence for their effectiveness. Recently, a new intervention known as NRT has been developed in Spain and has been reported to have favorable results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Searches were undertaken according to Cochrane Collaboration guidelines, and randomized controlled trials that evaluated NRT as treatment for patients with nonspecific LBP were included. A qualitative synthesis and an assessment of methodological quality were undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three randomized controlled trials were included, with 125 and 148 subjects in control and intervention groups, respectively. NRT was compared with sham in two trials and standard care in one. Individuals receiving active NRT showed significantly better outcomes for pain, mobility, disability, medication use, consumption of resources, and costs. No major side effects were reported by those receiving active NRT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NRT appears to be a safe and effective intervention for nonspecific LBP. This conclusion is limited to three trials conducted by a small number of experienced clinicians. Further trials in other settings are needed to determine whether these favorable results can be generalized.
authors.affiliation: Centro Cochrane Iberoamericano, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Santa Pau, Barcelona, Spain. gurrutia@hsp.santpau.es
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Urrútia
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morral
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bonfill
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanoli
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012028:Reflexotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*