Table 49Chronic low back pain: effects of nonpharmacological interventions compared with exercise

Intervention

Function

Short-Term

Effect Size

Function

Intermediate-Term

Effect Size

Function

Long-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Short-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Intermediate-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Long-Term

Effect Size

Psychological Therapies: Operant Therapyno evidenceinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidence
Physical Modalities: Low-Level Laser Therapyno evidence

none

+

no evidenceno evidence

small

+

no evidence
Manual Therapies: Spinal Manipulation

none

+

none

+

no evidence

none

+

small

+

no evidence
Manual Therapies: Massageno evidence

none

+

no evidenceno evidence

none

+

no evidence
Mind-Body Practices: Yoga

none

+

none

+

no evidence

small

+

none

+

no evidence
Mind-Body Practices: Qigong

none

+

small favoring exercise

+

no evidence

small favoring exercise

+

none

+

no evidence
Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation

small

++

small

++

none

+

small

++

small

++

none

+

Short-Term: 1 to <6 months; Intermediate-Term: ≥6 to <12 months; Long-Term: ≥12 months

Effect Size: none, small, moderate, or large improvement

Strength of Evidence: + = low, ++ = moderate, +++ = high

none = no effect/no statistically significant effect; = strength of evidence.

From: Discussion

Cover of Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Update
Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Update [Internet].
Comparative Effectiveness Review, No. 227.
Skelly AC, Chou R, Dettori JR, et al.

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