title: Exercise interventions for the treatment of chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine, for adults with chronic low back pain, which exercise interventions are the most effective at reducing pain compared to other treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO and The Cochrane Library was conducted up to October 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases were searched for published reports of randomised trials that investigated the treatment of chronic low back pain of non-specific origin with an exercise intervention. Two authors independently reviewed and selected relevant trials. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Downs and Black tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-five trials met the inclusion criteria and thirty-nine were included in the meta-analysis. Combined meta-analysis revealed significantly lower chronic low back pain with intervention groups using exercise compared to a control group or other treatment group (Standard Mean Deviation (SMD) =-0.32, CI 95% -0.44 to -0.19, P<0.01). Separate exploratory subgroup analysis showed a significant effect for strength/resistance and coordination/stabilisation programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results found a beneficial effect for strength/resistance and coordination/stabilisation exercise programs over other interventions in the treatment of chronic low back pain and that cardiorespiratory and combined exercise programs are ineffective.
authors: Discipline of Podiatry, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia Angela.Searle@newcastle.edu.au.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Searle
authors: Discipline of Podiatry, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Spink
authors: School of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Ho
authors: Discipline of Podiatry, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Australia.
authors: Vivienne
authors: V
authors: Chuter
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
keywords: Chronic low back pain; exercise; meta-analysis; systematic review