Article

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether exercise is more effective than usual care to
reduce work disability in patients with non-acute non-specific low back pain, and
if so, to explore which type of exercise is most effective. METHODS: Systematic
review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the
effectiveness of exercise in non-acute non-specific low back pain, and reporting
on work disability. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, Cochrane Library
databases, NIOSHTIC-2, and PsycINFO until August 2008. Work disability data were
converted to odds ratios. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted. RESULTS: A
total of 23 trials met the inclusion criteria, 20 of which were suitable for
inclusion in meta-analysis allowing 17 comparisons of exercise interventions with
usual care and 11 comparisons of 2 different exercise interventions. A
statistically significant effect in favour of exercise on work disability was
found in the long term (odds ratio (OR) = 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI)
0.48-0.92) but not in the short (OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.51-1.25) and intermediate
term (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.45-1.34). Meta-regression indicated no significant
effect of specific exercise characteristics. CONCLUSION: Exercise interventions
have a significant effect on work disability in patients with non-acute
non-specific low back pain in the long term. No conclusions can be made regarding
exercise types.

Langue : ANGLAIS