Activating therapy modalities in older individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain: a systematic review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although there are many special exercise-based therapy approaches for the working population suffering chronic low back pain, similar programmes for older individuals are rare.

OBJECTIVES:

To summarise all evaluated physical therapy approaches, and assess the effects on older people with chronic low back pain.

DATA SOURCES:

Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, PEDro, PsychINFO and Psyndex.

STUDY SELECTION/ELIGIBILITY:

Age≥65 years, subacute or chronic non-specific low back pain of ≥6weeks' duration, and a physical therapy approach.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS:

Study selection, data extraction, and assessment of methodological quality and clinical relevance were performed independently by two reviewers. As there were only a few controlled trials and wide heterogeneity in observation periods and outcome measures, pooling of data was not feasible. Therefore, the results are presented descriptively.

RESULTS:

In total, nine studies were included; six related to mixed physiotherapy modalities, one related to strength training, and two related to endurance training. Low-quality evidence suggests that physical therapy modalities are associated with a small-to-moderate reduction in pain and a small improvement in function.

LIMITATIONS:

The results must be interpreted with caution due to poor methodological quality.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS:

Few studies have been performed in this highly relevant and growing age group. It is not possible to recommend one particular modality or programme; as such, prescriptions should reflect patients' preferences and local conditions. Further research of higher methodological quality is needed urgently.

• Authors: K Kuss, A Becker, S Quint, C Leonhardt
• Journal: Physiotherapy (Physiotherapy) Vol. 101 Issue 4 Pg. 310-8 (Dec 2015) ISSN: 1873-1465 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26414346 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Exercise Therapy (methods)
• Humans
• Low Back Pain (rehabilitation)