Background <p>Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is common. Physiotherapy is frequently indicated as a non-pharmacological management of these patients. This Bayesian network meta-analysis compared active versus passive physiotherapy versus their combination in terms of pain and disability in patients with mechanical and/or aspecific cLBP.</p> Methods <p>In June 2025, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Embase. All the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the efficacy of a physiotherapy program in patients with LBP were accessed. Data regarding pain scores, the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were collected. The network meta-analyses were performed using the STATA (version 14; StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) routine for Bayesian hierarchical random-effects model analysis, employing the inverse variance method. The standardised mean difference (STD) was used for continuous data.</p> Results <p>Data from 2768 patients (mean age 46.9 ± 10.9&#xa0;years, mean BMI 25.8 ± 2.9&#xa0;kg/m<sup>2</sup>) were collected. The mean length of follow-up was 6.2 ± 6.1&#xa0;months. Between groups, comparability was found at baseline in terms of mean age, proportion of women, mean BMI, symptom duration and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). By the end of the follow-up period, the active group evidenced the lowest pain scores (SMD 1.00; 95% CI −3.28 to 5.28). The active group evidenced the lowest RMQ score (SMD 0.94; 95% CI –4.96 to 3.09). The active group evidenced the lowest ODI score (SMD −1.23; 95% CI −9.83 to 7.36).</p> Conclusion <p>Active physiotherapy showed better results than passive physiotherapy and a combination of both for the management of mechanical and/or non-specific cLBP.</p> <p><i>Level of evidence</i>: Level I, Bayesian network meta-analysis of RCTs.</p>

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Active and passive physical therapy in patients with chronic low-back pain: a level I Bayesian network meta-analysis

  • Alice Baroncini,
  • Nicola Maffulli,
  • Nicola Manocchio,
  • Michela Bossa,
  • Calogero Foti,
  • Luise Schäfer,
  • Alexandra Klimuch,
  • Filippo Migliorini

摘要

Background

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is common. Physiotherapy is frequently indicated as a non-pharmacological management of these patients. This Bayesian network meta-analysis compared active versus passive physiotherapy versus their combination in terms of pain and disability in patients with mechanical and/or aspecific cLBP.

Methods

In June 2025, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Embase. All the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the efficacy of a physiotherapy program in patients with LBP were accessed. Data regarding pain scores, the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were collected. The network meta-analyses were performed using the STATA (version 14; StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) routine for Bayesian hierarchical random-effects model analysis, employing the inverse variance method. The standardised mean difference (STD) was used for continuous data.

Results

Data from 2768 patients (mean age 46.9 ± 10.9 years, mean BMI 25.8 ± 2.9 kg/m2) were collected. The mean length of follow-up was 6.2 ± 6.1 months. Between groups, comparability was found at baseline in terms of mean age, proportion of women, mean BMI, symptom duration and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). By the end of the follow-up period, the active group evidenced the lowest pain scores (SMD 1.00; 95% CI −3.28 to 5.28). The active group evidenced the lowest RMQ score (SMD 0.94; 95% CI –4.96 to 3.09). The active group evidenced the lowest ODI score (SMD −1.23; 95% CI −9.83 to 7.36).

Conclusion

Active physiotherapy showed better results than passive physiotherapy and a combination of both for the management of mechanical and/or non-specific cLBP.

Level of evidence: Level I, Bayesian network meta-analysis of RCTs.