SynthesisPloS one2012
A meta-analysis of core stability exercise versus general exercise for chronic low back pain.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 3 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 92 papers, 15 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.
Effects of Core Stability Exercises and Cognitive Tasks Compared to General Exercises and Cognitive Tasks on Chronic Non-specific Back Pain
The Relationship Between Core Stabilization Exercises and Paraspinal Muscle Thickness in Chronic Low Back Pain
Thoracic Mobility Versus Hip Mobility Exercises to Core Stabilization in Lumbar Spondylitis
Who cites it
92 citing papers in PubMed, 15 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Comparative effectiveness of interventions incorporating physical activity in individuals with comorbid low back pain and depressive symptoms: a systematic review with network meta-analysis.Scientific reports · 2026Pooled it
- The efficacy of core stabilization exercise in mild and moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2025Pooled it
- Management of low back pain and lumbosacral radicular syndrome: the Guideline of the Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy (KNGF).European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine · 2024Guideline
- Exercise intervention for patients with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Frontiers in public health · 2023Pooled it
- Review of core stability exercise versus conventional exercise in the management of chronic low back pain.African health sciences · 2022Pooled it
- Summarizing the effects of different exercise types in chronic low back pain - a systematic review of systematic reviews.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2022Pooled it
- Dose-response-relationship of stabilisation exercises in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a systematic review with meta-regression.Scientific reports · 2020Pooled it
- German recommendations for physical activity and physical activity promotion in adults with noncommunicable diseases.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2020Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Core Stability Exercise Versus General Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain.Journal of athletic training · 2017Pooled it
- An evidence map of the effect of Tai Chi on health outcomes.Systematic reviews · 2016Pooled it
- Motor control exercise for chronic non-specific low-back pain.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016Pooled it
- Cognitive motor interference for gait and balance in stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.European journal of neurology · 2015Pooled it
- An update of stabilisation exercises for low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2014Pooled it
- Pooled it
- The efficacy of a telerehabilitation-based clinical Pilates program on lumbopelvic muscle morphology and strength in female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.Clinical rheumatology · 2025Trial
- Effects of lumbar stabilization exercises on serum biomarker levels and clinical outcomes in lumbar disc herniation: a subgroup analysis of a randomized controlled trial.Turkish journal of medical sciences · 2025Trial
- Effects of spinal stabilization exercises focusing on the pelvic floor in women with overactive bladder.International urogynecology journal · 2023Trial
- Effectiveness of an exercise intervention based on preactivation of the abdominal transverse muscle in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain in primary care: a randomized control trial.BMC primary care · 2023Trial
- Pain Neuroscience Education and Motor Control Exercises versus Core Stability Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Balance in Women with Chronic Low Back Pain.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Trial
32 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
15 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo review the effects of core stability exercise or general exercise for patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Exercise therapy appears to be effective at decreasing pain and improving function for patients with chronic LBP in practice guidelines. Core stability exercise is becoming increasingly popular for LBP. However, it is currently unknown whether core stability exercise produces more beneficial effects than general exercise in patients with chronic LBP.
methodsPublished articles from 1970 to October 2011 were identified using electronic searches. For this meta-analysis, two reviewers independently selected relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating core stability exercise versus general exercise for the treatment of patients with chronic LBP. Data were extracted independently by the same two individuals who selected the studies.
resultsFrom the 28 potentially relevant trials, a total of 5 trials involving 414 participants were included in the current analysis. The pooling revealed that core stability exercise was better than general exercise for reducing pain [mean difference (-1.29); 95% confidence interval (-2.47, -0.11); P = 0.003] and disability [mean difference (-7.14); 95% confidence interval (-11.64, -2.65); P = 0.002] at the time of the short-term follow-up. However, no significant differences were observed between core stability exercise and general exercise in reducing pain at 6 months [mean difference (-0.50); 95% confidence interval (-1.36, 0.36); P = 0.26] and 12 months [mean difference (-0.32); 95% confidence interval (-0.87, 0.23); P = 0.25].
conclusionsCompared to general exercise, core stability exercise is more effective in decreasing pain and may improve physical function in patients with chronic LBP in the short term. However, no significant long-term differences in pain severity were observed between patients who engaged in core stability exercise versus those who engaged in general exercise. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO PROSPERO registration number: CRD42011001717.
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.