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European Spine Journal
Published in: European Spine Journal 10/2014

01-10-2014 | Review Article

Low back pain in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of conservative interventions

Authors: Zoe A. Michaleff, Steven J. Kamper, Christopher G. Maher, Roni Evans, Carolyn Broderick, Nicholas Henschke

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 10/2014

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Abstract

Purpose

To identify and evaluate the effectiveness of conservative treatment approaches used in children and adolescents to manage and prevent low back pain (LBP).

Methods

Five electronic databases and the reference lists of systematic reviews were searched for relevant studies. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were considered eligible for inclusion if they enrolled a sample of children or adolescents (<18 years old) and evaluated the effectiveness of any conservative intervention to treat or prevent LBP. Two authors independently screened search results, extracted data, assessed risk of bias using the PEDro scale, and rated the quality of evidence using the GRADE criteria.

Results

Four RCTs on intervention and eleven RCTs on prevention of LBP were included. All included studies had a high risk of bias scoring ≤7 on the PEDro scale. For the treatment of LBP, a supervised exercise program compared to no treatment improved the average pain intensity over the past month by 2.9 points (95 % CI 1.6–4.1) measured by a 0–10 scale (2 studies; n = 125). For the prevention of LBP, there was moderate quality evidence to suggest back education and promotion programs are not effective in reducing LBP prevalence in children and adolescents.

Conclusions

While exercise interventions appear to be promising to treat LBP in children and adolescents, there is a dearth of research data relevant to paediatric populations. Future studies conducted in children and adolescents with LBP should incorporate what has been learnt from adult LBP research and be of rigorous methodological quality.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Low back pain in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of conservative interventions
Authors
Zoe A. Michaleff
Steven J. Kamper
Christopher G. Maher
Roni Evans
Carolyn Broderick
Nicholas Henschke
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Spine Journal / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-014-3461-1

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