Is dynamic balance impaired in people with non-specific low back pain when compared to healthy people? A systematic review.

All included studies were cross-sectional, so they cannot show which way the association runs. The studies used many different dynamic balance tests and outcome measures, so results could not be pooled into a meta-analysis. The evidence was rated very low because of risk of bias, indirectness and inconsistency. Many studies did not clearly confirm non-specific low back pain by a qualified clinician, and many did not fully identify or manage confounding factors. The review excluded children, older adults, and people with specific spinal causes, so it does not speak to those groups. The review excluded joint kinematics and gait analysis studies, which can also reflect dynamic balance. Publication bias could not be ruled out.

Do not conclude that treating dynamic balance will improve non-specific low back pain. The review reports an association from cross-sectional studies, not a tested treatment effect.