Trial reportBMJ (Clinical research ed.)2004
Randomised controlled trial of physiotherapy compared with advice for low back pain.
Trial report in BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 2004. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 4 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 46 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Health Education vs. Health Education Plus Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain Patients
Study of the Effect of Two Short Education Programs for the Treatment of Nonspecific Low Back Pain in Patients Seen at a Workers' Health Care Organization
The Effectiveness of the Physiotherapy Techniques Group GDS and Individual GDS for the Treatment of Nonspecific Low Back Pain in Primary Care. A Cluster, Randomized, Controlled Trial.
Efficacy of Pain Neuroscience Education and Physiotherapy in Patients Diagnosed with Spondyloarthritis
Who cites it
46 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 192 citations in OpenAlex.
- Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2021Pooled it
- Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society · 2018Pooled it
- The clinical course of low back pain: a meta-analysis comparing outcomes in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2014Pooled it
- A systematic review on the effectiveness of physical and rehabilitation interventions for chronic non-specific low back pain.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2011Pooled it
- Individual patient education for low back pain.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2008Pooled it
- Exercise therapy for treatment of non-specific low back pain.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2005Pooled it
- Quantitative ultrasound evaluation of the thoracolumbar fascia after manual and acupuncture therapies: an exploratory mechanistic randomized controlled trial with a sequential within-subject phase.European radiology experimental · 2026Trial
- Comparing the impact of interactive versus traditional e-learning on physiotherapists' knowledge, attitudes, and clinical decision-making in low back pain management: a randomized controlled trial.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy · 2025Trial
- Influence of adding strain-counterstrain to standard therapy on axioscapular muscles amplitude and fatigue in mechanical neck pain: a single-blind, randomized trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine · 2022Trial
- Smartphone-Based Remote Self-Management of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study.Journal of healthcare engineering · 2019Trial
- Trial
- Short-term therapeutic effects of 890-nanometer light therapy for chronic low back pain: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.Lasers in medical science · 2014Trial
- Specific treatment of problems of the spine (STOPS): design of a randomised controlled trial comparing specific physiotherapy versus advice for people with subacute low back disorders.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2011Trial
- The back 2 activity trial: education and advice versus education and advice plus a structured walking programme for chronic low back pain.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2010Trial
- 'PhysioDirect' telephone assessment and advice services for physiotherapy: protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.BMC health services research · 2009Trial
- A walking programme and a supervised exercise class versus usual physiotherapy for chronic low back pain: a single-blinded randomised controlled trial. (The Supervised Walking In comparison to Fitness Training for Back Pain (SWIFT) Trial).BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2009Trial
- A randomised clinical trial of subgrouping and targeted treatment for low back pain compared with best current care. The STarT Back Trial Study Protocol.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2008Trial
- Low back pain in general practice: cost-effectiveness of a minimal psychosocial intervention versus usual care.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2007Trial
- A comparison of manual therapy and active rehabilitation in the treatment of non specific low back pain with particular reference to a patient's Linton & Hallden psychological screening score: a pilot study.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2007Trial
- Trial
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo measure the effectiveness of routine physiotherapy compared with an assessment session and advice from a physiotherapist for patients with low back pain.
designPragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.
settingSeven British NHS physiotherapy departments.
participants286 patients with low back pain of more than six weeks' duration.
interventionRoutine physiotherapy or advice on remaining active from a physiotherapist. Both groups received an advice book.
main outcome measuresPrimary outcome was scores on the Oswestry disability index at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were scores on the Oswestry disability index (two and six months), scores on the Roland and Morris disability questionnaire and SF-36 (2, 6 and 12 months), and patient perceived benefit from treatment (2, 6, and 12 months).
results200 of 286 patients (70%) provided follow up information at 12 months. Patients in the therapy group reported enhanced perceptions of benefit, but there was no evidence of a long term effect of physiotherapy in either disease specific or generic outcome measures (mean difference in change in Oswestry disability index scores at 12 months -1.0%, 95% confidence interval -3.7% to 1.6%). The most common treatments were low velocity spinal joint mobilisation techniques (72%, 104 of 144 patients) and lumbar spine mobility and abdominal strengthening exercises (94%, 136 patients).
conclusionsRoutine physiotherapy seemed to be no more effective than one session of assessment and advice from a physiotherapist.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.