Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41567878›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in physiology2025

Effects of different exercise interventions on lower back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xingchi Liu, Wenbo Gao, Peirun Wu, Jiawang Huang, Jingjing Han, Xiuli Xu, Wanqiang Chen

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in physiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Xingchi LiuDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine of the First Hospital of Lanzhou university, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Wenbo GaoThe Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Peirun WuThe Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Jiawang HuangThe Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Jingjing HanThe Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Xiuli XuThe Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Wanqiang ChenDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine of the First Hospital of Lanzhou university, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: Lower back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. This study evaluates the pain relief and functional benefits of exercise interventions for affected individuals to inform clinical practice. Methods: We searched nine electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined exercise interventions for LBP. Results: We included 35 RCTs (n = 2,132). Exercise interventions were categorized into eight types: Pilates, yoga, core training, tai chi, walking, stretching, cycling, and deep-water running. Compared to usual care or other types of pain management interventions, exercise interventions demonstrated a significant overall difference in reducing pain (SMD = -0.81, 95% CI -0.91, -0.72; 17.31, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that tai chi (SMD = -0.95), walking (MD = -1.05), and Pilates (MD = -1.14) exhibited the most significant analgesic effects. Regarding functional disability improvement, assessment using the Oswestry Disability Index showed significant efficacy for walking (MD = -6.34, P < 0.001), Pilates (MD = -4.73, P < 0.0001), and yoga (MD = -3.41, P = 0.002). However, assessment using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) indicated that only Pilates resulted in significant improvement (MD = -2.34, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Pilates, yoga, and walking reduce pain and improve function in non-specific LBP. Tai chi and core-stability training also achieve significant analgesia. The evidence for stretching and cycling remains inconclusive. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251047326, identifier CRD420251047326.

Indexed as

exercise interventionlow-back painmeta-analysispain reliefrehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID41567878
PMCPMC12816203

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.