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Evidence summaries

Back Schools for Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Back-schools appear to be effective for patients with recurrent and chronic low back pain in occupational settings. Level of evidence: "B"

Nineteen trials (3 584 patients) were included in a Cochrane review [Abstract] 1. Overall, the methodological quality was low, with only six trials considered to be high quality. It was not possible to perform relevant subgroup analyses for low back pain (LBP) with radiation versus LBP without radiation.

The results indicate that there is moderate evidence suggesting that back schools have better short and intermediate-term effects on pain and functional status than other treatments for patients with recurrent and chronic LBP. There is moderate evidence suggesting that back schools for chronic LBP in an occupational setting, are more effective than other treatments and placebo or waiting list controls on pain, functional status and return to work during short and intermediate-term follow-up. In general, the clinical relevance of the studies was rated as insufficient.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study limitations

References

  • Heymans MW, van Tulder MW, Esmail R, Bombardier C, Koes BW. Back schools for non-specific low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004 Oct 18;(4):CD000261. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords