Jang 2015.

Study characteristics
Methods	Study design: RCT Recruitment period: not reported Recruitment mode: an orthopaedist had diagnosed people with acute LBP Statistical analysis: a paired t‐test was carried out to examine changes according to the intervention, and an independent t‐test was used to compare the 2 groups Sample size calculation: not reported
Participants	Sample size: total: 30; EG1: 15; EG2: 15 Setting: not reported Country: Republic of Korea Baseline characteristics Age in years, mean (SD): not reported, participants were in their 20s Sex, number (%) women: EG1: 15 (100%); EG2: 15 (100%) Duration LBP: ≤ 3 weeks, otherwise not specified Inclusion criteria Acute LBP diagnosed by orthopaedist Exclusion criteria Abnormalities other than LBP
Interventions	EG1: Tai chi Description: each of the sessions was composed of warming‐up exercises for 10 minutes, primary exercises for 40 minutes, and cooling‐down exercises for 10 minutes. A series of motions including yamabunjong, bongrian, baekhakyangsi, suhuibipa, nuseulyobo, jesusangse, and yeobongsapei were conducted in a flow mode for 20 minutes. The motions were carried out twice. Materials/equipment: not reported Non‐exercise component: not reported Frequency and duration: 3 times per week, 1 hour each time, for a total of 8 weeks Delivery: not reported Provider: not reported EG2 Description: repetitively performing lower limb, trunk, and upper limb exercises sequentially Materials/equipment: not reported Non‐exercise component: not reported Frequency and duration: 3 times per week, 1 hour each time, for a total of 8 weeks Delivery: not reported Provider: not reported
Outcomes	Note: outcomes were not designated as major or minor outcomes. Pain: VAS (0–10; converted to a 0–100 scale) Baseline, mean (SD): EG1: 36 (7); EG2: 36 (4) Post‐treatment, mean (SD): EG1: 21 (6); EG2: 25 (6) Others: muscle activity, balance Adverse events: not reported
Notes	Authors' results and conclusions: according to the results of this study, Tai Chi is considered an appropriate exercise program to reduce acute LBP in females in their 20s. It is effective in decreasing pain. Review authors' note: only a minimal difference was detected that was not clinically relevant Funding: no funding sources reported Declaration of interest: no official disclosure regarding potential conflicts of interest
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Equally and randomly divided, randomisation not described.
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not described.
Blinding All outcomes ‐ Participants	High risk	No mention of any attempts to blind participants to the other intervention or their perceptions of the potential effectiveness of the different interventions.
Blinding All outcomes ‐ Healthcare providers	High risk	No mention of any attempts to blind care providers to the other group.
Blinding All outcomes ‐ outcome assessors	High risk	The outcome measures were self‐reported and participants were unblinded.
Influence of co‐interventions	Unclear risk	Study did not mention if co‐interventions were allowed, or similar in both groups.
Group similarity at baseline	Low risk	Baseline pain scores similar, and all participants were women in their 20s.
Compliance	Unclear risk	Not reported.
Timing of outcome assessments	Low risk	Pre‐and post‐treatment.
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) Dropouts – all outcomes	Unclear risk	No data provided, only group means of outcomes reported.
Intention‐to‐treat‐analysis	Unclear risk	Not reported, an independent t‐test was used to compare the 2 groups.
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	High risk	Function not reported; no published protocol available.
Other bias	Unclear risk	No funding sources reported. No official disclosure regarding potential conflicts of interest.