Cochrane Back Review Group

Vicki Pennick, RN, BScN, MHSc^*

Senior Clinical Research Project Manager

Managing Editor, Cochrane Back Review Group

The Cochrane Back Review Group is one of 50 Review Groups that produces and maintains systematic reviews on the effects of healthcare. The goal is to provide the most up-to-date information to inform clinical decisions at the individual, institutional and policy level. The scope of the Back Review Group is primary and secondary prevention and treatment of neck and back pain and other spinal disorders, excluding inflammatory diseases and fractures. It is hosted by the Institute for Work & Health (http://www.iwh.on.ca), an independent, not-for-profit research organization whose mission is to conduct and share research with workers, labour, employers, clinicians and policy-makers to promote, protect and improve the health of working people. The Back Review Group also has funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.

The editorial team is comprised of two Co-ordinating Editors, a Managing Editor, a Librarian, an Editorial Assistant, an Editorial Board and an Advisory Board that provides peer review. Completed protocols and reviews are published quarterly in The Cochrane Library, which is available by subscription on-line or on a CD. Abstracts and Plain Language Summaries are freely available by visiting www.thecochranelibrary.com (look for us under ‘by review group’) or the Back Review Group website www.cochrane.iwh.on.ca. Our authors, editors and peer referees are international, multidisciplinary practitioners and researchers in the neck and back pain field.

The Back Review Group’s total contribution to The Cochrane Library 2008, issue 2 will be 44 reviews (including seven withdrawn) and 10 protocols (reviews in progress). It is the policy of The Cochrane Collaboration to update reviews every two years and to withdraw them if they are out of date. Of the seven withdrawn reviews mentioned above, one is currently in the editorial process and work on three more is ongoing. They will be republished once they are updated. Three reviews are permanently withdrawn and have been replaced with other reviews.

The Cochrane Collaboration has just released a new Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (February 2008) and a new version of the software (March 2008) used for producing reviews. There are several new features in both the Handbook and the software that have been developed to make our reviews more transparent and user friendly, and which will be rolled-out over the next year.

The Back Review Group welcomes consumers, authors and referees to the group. I invite you to join on-line to receive periodic newsletters that will keep you abreast of initiatives in The Cochrane Collaboration in general and the Back Review Group in particular.

I have provided a list of our published reviews and protocols and highlighted the ones that may be of particular interest to readers. Many of the reviews have been incorporated into international guidelines for the management of neck and back pain. I can be reached by email at vpennick@iwh.on.ca or by phone during regular business hours at +1 (416) 441–0291 ext 2158. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.

Published reviews – The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 2

Assendelft WJJ, Morton SC, Yu E, I, Suttorp MJ, Shekelle PG. Spinal manipulative therapy for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic 2004, Issue 1.

Clarke JA, van Tulder MW, Blomberg SEI, De Vet HCW, van der Heijden GJMG, Bronfort G et al. Traction for low-back pain with or without sciatica. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2.

Dagenais S, Yelland MJ, Del Mar C, Schoene ML. Prolotherapy injections for chronic low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2.

Deshpande A, Furlan A, Mailis-Gagnon A, Atlas S, Turk D. Opioids for chronic low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3.

Engers A, Jellema P, Wensing M, van der Windt DAWM, Grol R, van Tulder MW. Individual patient education for low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1.

Fouyas IP, Sandercock PAG, Statham PF, Lynch C. Surgery for cervical radiculomyelopathy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2.

French SD, Cameron M, Walker BF, Reggars JW, Esterman AJ. Superficial heat or cold for low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 1.

Furlan AD, Brosseau L, Imamura M, Irvin E. Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 2.

Furlan AD, van Tulder MW, Cherkin DC, Tsukayama H, Lao L, Koes BW et al. Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1.

Gagnier JJ, vanTulder M, Berman B, Bombardier C. Herbal medicine for low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2.

Gibson JNA, Waddell G. Surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4.

Gibson JNA, Waddell G. Surgical interventions for lumbar disc prolapse. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2.

Gross AR, Hoving JL, Haines TA, Goldsmith CH, Kay T, Aker P, Bronfort G, Cervical overview group. Manipulation and mobilisation for mechanical neck disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1.

Guzmán J, Esmail R, Karjalainen K, Malmivaara A, Irvin E, Bombardier C. Multidisciplinary bio-psycho-social rehabilitation for chronic low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2.

Hagen KB, Hilde G, Jamtvedt G, Winnem M. Bed rest for acute low-back pain and sciatica. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 4.

Haraldsson BG, Gross AR, Myers CD, Ezzo JM, Morien A, Goldsmith C, Peloso PM, Bronfort G, Cervical Overview Group. Massage for mechanical neck disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 3.

Hayden JA, van Tulder MW, Malmivaara A, Koes BW. Exercise therapy for treatment of non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 3.

Heymans MW, van Tulder MW, Esmail R, Bombardier C, Koes BW. Back schools for non-specific low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 4.

Hilde G, Hagen KB, Jamtvedt G, Winnem M. Advice to stay active as a single treatment for low-back pain and sciatica. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2.

Jacobs WCH, Anderson PG, van Limbeek J, Willems PC, Pavlov P. Single or double-level anterior interbody fusion techniques for cervical degenerative disc disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 4.

Karjalainen K, Malmivaara A, van Tulder M, Roine R, Jauhiainen M, Hurri H, Koes B. Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for neck and shoulder pain among working age adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 2.

Karjalainen K, Malmivaara A, van Tulder M, Roine R, Jauhiainen M, Hurri H, Koes B. Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for subacute low-back pain among working age adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 2.

Kay TM, Gross A, Goldsmith C, Santaguida PL, Hoving J, Bronfort G, Cervical Overview Group. Exercises for mechanical neck disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 3.

Khadilkar A, Milne S, Brosseau L, Robinson V, Saginur M, Shea B, Tugwell P, Wells G. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 3.

Kroeling P, Gross A, Goldsmith CH, Cervical Overview Group. Electrotherapy for neck disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 2.

Martimo KP, Verbeek J, Karppinen J, Furlan AD, Kuijer PPFM, Viikari-Juntura E et al. Manual material handling advice and assistive devices for preventing and treating back pain in workers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3.

Nelemans PJ, de Bie RA, De Vet HCW, Sturmans F. Injection therapy for subacute and chronic benign low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2.

Niemisto L, Kalso E, Malmivaara A, Seitsalo S, Hurri H. Radiofrequency denervation for neck and back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 1.

Ostelo RWJG, De Vet HCW, Waddell G, Kerckhoffs MR, Leffers P, van Tulder MW. Rehabilitation after lumbar disc surgery. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 2.

Ostelo RWJG, van Tulder MW, Vlaeyen JWS, Linton SJ, Morley SJ, Assendelft WJJ. Behavioural treatment for chronic low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1.

Peloso P, Gross A, Haines T, Trinh K, Goldsmith CH, Burnie S, Cervical Overview Group. Medicinal and injection therapies for mechanical neck disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3.

Roelofs PDDM, Deyo RA, Koes BW, Scholten RJPM, van Tulder MW. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1.

Sahar T, Cohen MJ, Ne’eman V, Kandel L, Odebiyi DO, Lev I et al. Insoles for prevention and treatment of back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4.

Schonstein E, Kenny DT, Keating J, Koes BW. Work conditioning, work hardening and functional restoration for workers with back and neck pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3.

Trinh KV, Graham N, Gross AR, Goldsmith CH, Wang E, Cameron ID, Kay T, Cervical Overview Group. Acupuncture for neck disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 3.

Urquhart DM, Hoving JL, Assendelft WWJJ, Roland M, van Tulder MW. Antidepressants for non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1.

Urrútia G, Burton AK, Morral A, Bonfill X, Zanoli G. Neuroreflexotherapy for non-specific low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2.

van Duijvenbode ICD, Jellema P, van Poppel MNM, van Tulder MW. Lumbar supports for prevention and treatment of low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2.

van Tulder MW, Touray T, Furlan AD, Solway S, Bouter LM. Muscle relaxants for non-specific low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 4.

Verhagen AP, Scholten-Peeters GGGM, van Wijngaarden S, de Bie RA, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA. Conservative treatments for whiplash. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2.

Yousefi-Nooraie R, Schonstein E, Heidari K, Rashidian A, Pennick V, Akbari-Kamrani M, et al. Low level laser therapy for nonspecific low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2.

Published Protocols – The Cochrane Library 2008, issue 2

Aas RW, Holte KA, Moller A. Worksite intervention for neck and back disorders in workers. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4.

Choi BKL, Verbeek JH, Jiang Y, Tang JL. Exercises for prevention of recurrences of low-back pain. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2.

Cui X, Hsiao A, Li J, Wang Y. Herbal medicine for cervical degenerative disc disease. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2.

French SD, Grant WD, Green S, Walker B. Chiropractic interventions for low-back pain. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 3.

Graham N, Gross A, Goldsmith C, Klaber MJ. Mechanical traction for mechanical neck disorders. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 1.

Haines T, Gross A, Goldsmith C, Cervical Overview Group. Patient education for mechanical neck disorders. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1.

McCarthy C, Keating JL, Kent PM, Lall R, Lamb SE, Strimpakos N, Targeted manual therapy for non-specific low-back pain. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2.

Negrini S, Minozzi S, Bettany-Saltikov J, Zaina F, Chockalingam N, Grivas TB et al. Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2007 Issue 4.

Samartzis D, Shen FH, Khanna N, Fairbank JCT, An HS. Local anesthetic at the iliac crest donor-site for postoperative pain management in spine surgery patients. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3.

Santaguida PL, Gross A, Goldsmith C, Kay T, Cervical Overview Group. Orthoses for mechanical neck disorders. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4.