Rehabilitation of back pain in the pediatric population: a mixed studies systematic review

Hainan Yu; Danielle Southerst; Jessica J. Wong; Leslie Verville; Gaelan Connell; Lauren Ead; Silvano Mior; Lise Hestbaek; Michael Swain; Ginny Brunton; Heather M. Shearer; Efrosini Papaconstantinou; Daphne To; Darrin Germann; Katie Pohlman; Christine Cedraschi; Carol Cancelliere

doi:10.1186/s12998-024-00538-z

Table 11
Presence of qualitative themes in quantitative studies

Theme Ahlqwist 2008 Sweden [32] Evans 2018 United States [33] Fanucchi 2009
South Africa [34] Harringe 2007 Sweden [40] Jones 2007 United Kingdom [35, 36] Jung 2020
Korea [37] Ng 2015 Australia [38] Selhorst 2015
United States [22] Selhorst 2021 United States [41] Vitman 2022 [39] Israel Theme description
Coaching from care providers NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI This theme consists of three subcategories: professional support; being aware of inherent capabilities; and trust in the physiotherapist and hope of recovery. Participants appreciated the attitude and professionalism of the physiotherapist
Seeking for information √ √ √ √ ? ? √ ? ? √ This theme consists of three subcategories: information from the school nurse; information from the physiotherapist; insight and reorientation of back pain that relates to participants’ understanding and leads to change
Compliance with treatment ? √ √ √ √ ? √ ? √ ? This theme consists of three subcategories: exercises provide structure; gaining energy from treatment; gaining confidence in exercises. Tailored exercises with the physiotherapist restored control to participants on physical as well as psychological levels
Gaining energy from pain-free moments NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR This theme consists of three subcategories: handling pain; ability to achieve change; distraction by recovery. Participants experienced a growing awareness of their bodies and their pain, as well as an increased easing of tension and a certain pain relief
Overall risk of bias High Unclear High High High High High High High High

unclear (limited information and cannot make a judgement); √ acceptable compliance
NI no information, NR not directly related to the treatment

Theme	Ahlqwist 2008 Sweden [32]	Evans 2018 United States [33]	Fanucchi 2009 South Africa [34]	Harringe 2007 Sweden [40]	Jones 2007 United Kingdom [35, 36]	Jung 2020 Korea [37]	Ng 2015 Australia [38]	Selhorst 2015 United States [22]	Selhorst 2021 United States [41]	Vitman 2022 [39] Israel	Theme description
Coaching from care providers	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	This theme consists of three subcategories: professional support; being aware of inherent capabilities; and trust in the physiotherapist and hope of recovery. Participants appreciated the attitude and professionalism of the physiotherapist
Seeking for information	√	√	√	√	?	?	√	?	?	√	This theme consists of three subcategories: information from the school nurse; information from the physiotherapist; insight and reorientation of back pain that relates to participants’ understanding and leads to change
Compliance with treatment	?	√	√	√	√	?	√	?	√	?	This theme consists of three subcategories: exercises provide structure; gaining energy from treatment; gaining confidence in exercises. Tailored exercises with the physiotherapist restored control to participants on physical as well as psychological levels
Gaining energy from pain-free moments	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	This theme consists of three subcategories: handling pain; ability to achieve change; distraction by recovery. Participants experienced a growing awareness of their bodies and their pain, as well as an increased easing of tension and a certain pain relief
Overall risk of bias	High	Unclear	High	High	High	High	High	High	High	High