ArticleInternational journal of spine surgery2025
Multifidus Dysfunction and Chronic Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Supporting Data for Accurate Diagnosis and Successful Treatment Outcomes Associated With Restorative Neurostimulation.
Article in International journal of spine surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- A multicenter study on the prediction model for chronic low back pain after lumbar decompression surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus: integration of metabolic and paraspinal muscle features.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 · 2026Article
- Letter to the Editor Re: "Lumbar multifidus muscle morphology on MRI after restorative neurostimulation for chronic low back pain: a single centre case series using the Goutallier classification" by Whittle et al. (Eur Spine J [2026]: DOI: 10.1007/s00586-026-09863-8).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 · 2026Article
- Restorative neurostimulation of the lumbar multifidus muscles improves mobility, strength, pain and disability in patients with mechanical chronic 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 · 2026Article
- A Proposed Diagnostic and Treatment Algorithm for the Management of Lumbar Discogenic Pain [Response to Letter].Journal of pain research · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundChronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Multifidus muscle dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a distinct contributor to mechanical CLBP. Restorative neurostimulation has emerged as a targeted therapy for this phenotype.
methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Databases searched included PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science for studies published between January 2013 and September 2025. Eligible studies evaluated implantable restorative neurostimulation in adults with CLBP and multifidus dysfunction. Data extraction included patient demographics, study design, pain, disability, and quality of life outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane and National Institutes of Health tools. The meta-analysis reported pooled mean differences at 1- and 4-year follow-up.
resultsSix studies (
conclusionsRestorative neurostimulation targeting multifidus dysfunction provides sustained, clinically meaningful improvements in pain, disability, and quality of life for patients with mechanical CLBP. Accurate phenotyping and use of International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, code M62.85 enable targeted intervention. Further research should focus on comparative effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and predictive biomarkers to optimize patient selection.
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