title: Self-management program for chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: To determine the effectiveness of self-management programs (SMPs) on chronic low back pain (CLBP).
  
  
  
  A search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Elsevier, and CINAHL through June, 2015. Two reviewers selected trials, conducted critical appraisal, and extracted data. Meta analyses were performed.
  
  
  
  Thirteen moderate-quality RCTs were included. There were 9 RCTs for immediate post intervention on pain intensity and disability, 5 RCTs for short term, 3 RCTs for intermediate and 4 RCTs for long term. Specifically, the effect sizes (ESs) of SMP on pain intensity were -0.29, -0.20, -0.23, and -0.25 at immediate post-intervention, short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term follow-ups, respectively. The ESs on disability were -0.28, -0.23, -0.19, and -0.19 at immediate post-intervention, short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term follow-ups, respectively.
  
  
  
  For CLBP patients, there is moderate-quality evidence that SMP has a moderate effect on pain intensity, and small to moderate effect on disability.
  
  
  
  SMP can be regarded as an effective approach for CLBP management. In addition to face-to-face mode, internet-based strategy can also be considered as a useful option to deliver SMP. Theoretically driven programs are preferred.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, China.
authors.forename: Shizheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, China.
authors.forename: Lingli
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Health Education Institute, 358 Jiaozhou Road Building B, Jing'an District, Shanghai, 200040, China.
authors.forename: Jianshu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, China. Electronic address: xgh_88@126.com.
authors.forename: Guihua
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, China.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, China.
authors.forename: Shengji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, China.
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, China.
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D059408:Pain Management; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D000073278:Self-Management
keywords: Chronic; Low back pain; Meta analysis; Self-management program; Systematic review