Impact of education in patients undergoing physiotherapy for lower back pain: a level I systematic review and meta-analysis

Migliorini F, Maffulli N, Schäfer L, Manocchio N, Bossa M, Foti C, Betsch M, Kubach J (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Springer Verlag (Germany)

Book Volume: 51

Article Number: 113

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1007/s00068-025-02788-9

Abstract

Introduction: Lower back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders in modern society, with a lifetime incidence of up to 90%. According to most national and international guidelines, educational interventions play a central role in the multimodal treatment of LBP. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the impact of educational interventions on pain and disability in patients with LBP undergoing physiotherapy compared to patients without educational interventions undergoing physiotherapy. Methods: In October 2024, a comprehensive computer-aided search was performed to assess the online databases PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase. The search followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria with an established PICOTD algorithm. Two authors independently performed the data extraction and risk of bias evaluation. The primary outcome measures extracted were a pain score (VAS or NRS) and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ). Results: Data from 8152 patients were retrieved. The mean length of follow-up was 6.2 ± 3.9 months, the mean length of symptom duration was 66.7 ± 51.6 months, and the mean age of the patients was 46.7 ± 9.2 years. Compared to physiotherapy alone, additional education did not reduce pain (P = 0.4) or disability according to the RMQ (P = 0.9). Conclusion: The addition of education did not impact pain and disability in patients undergoing physiotherapy for chronic non-specific LPB. Level of evidence: Level I, systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.

Authors with CRIS profile

Marcel Betsch Professur für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie Joshua Kubach Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

Involved external institutions

Link Campus University IT Italy (IT) Eifelklinik St. Brigida DE Germany (DE) Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata' IT Italy (IT)

How to cite

APA:

Migliorini, F., Maffulli, N., Schäfer, L., Manocchio, N., Bossa, M., Foti, C.,... Kubach, J. (2025). Impact of education in patients undergoing physiotherapy for lower back pain: a level I systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, 51(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-025-02788-9

MLA:

Migliorini, Filippo, et al. "Impact of education in patients undergoing physiotherapy for lower back pain: a level I systematic review and meta-analysis." European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery 51.1 (2025).

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