A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Core Stability Exercises in Patients with Non-Specific Low Back Pain.
Zachary Smrcina, Sarah Woelfel, Christopher Burcal
PMID 35949382WHAT IT FOUND
Core stabilization exercises were associated with short-term reductions in pain and disability across five trials, but four trials paired them with modalities, so the exercise alone may not be the reason.
Key findings
01The review identified consistent moderate-quality evidence supporting core stabilization programs for non-specific low back pain.
02Four of five included trials paired core stabilization with another modality, so the effect of core stabilization alone cannot be separated.
03An included trial found no significant difference in pain reduction between core stabilization and strengthening exercises.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only five randomized controlled trials were included, with 275 patients in total. None of the trials could blind participants or therapists, and assessor blinding varied. Four of five trials paired core stabilization with another modality, so the effect of core stabilization alone cannot be separated. Follow-up was short, with the longest follow-up being three months. Costs of treatment were not evaluated, so cost-effectiveness remains unanswered. One study did not indicate how patient satisfaction was measured.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest were declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this review as showing that core stabilization exercises alone relieve non-specific low back pain long-term: four of five included trials paired them with modalities, the longest follow-up was three months, and one trial found no significant pain difference versus strengthening exercises.