Interventions of Exercise Therapy for Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Comparative Study of Effects

Abstract

Background: The cost of medical care for low back pain is a heavy financial burden for patients and has become a common social health issue that affects people of all ages and professions. Objective：To comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of different types of exercise therapy in treating chronic non-specific low back pain, and provide decision support for patients, medical professionals, and decision-makers to choose the most suitable exercise therapy to reduce pain, improve function, and reduce medical expenses. Methods: Data was sourced from electronic databases including PubMed, China Knowledge Network (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Wanfang Data (WD). The search targeted studies focused on exercise therapy as a treatment for chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) conducted within the timeframe spanning five years, from 2018 to 2022. The selection process encompassed published literature, excluding studies deemed of low relevance, ultimately culminating in the inclusion of 26 pertinent papers. Results: Different exercise modalities have shown clinical effectiveness for lumbopelvic stability exercise、spinal stabilization exercise training, etc., with superior efficacy for increasing muscle strength, enhancing spinal or lumbar stability, and increasing the thickness of core stabilising muscles. However, exercise therapies like McKenzie therapy (MDT), Motor Control Exercise（MCE）, Sling Exercise Therapy（SET）, and physical education (PE) are more helpful in restoring posture and function, improving neuromuscular control, and correcting delayed muscle activation than they are in increasing muscle thickness. Second, yoga activities have been found to help with pain management, emotional regulation, psychological control, and sleep problems. Conclusions: Although there are differences in the clinical effectiveness of various exercise therapies for the management of CNLBP, yet all of these exercise interventions have significant efficacy for managing low back pain and are safe, simple to use, and affordable. This is crucial for reducing medical costs and warrants widespread promotion.The potential of exercise therapy in the treatment of CNLBP, healthcare professionals and patients choose appropriate exercise modalities based on individual needs to improve quality of life and reduce pain