| Study characteristics |
| Methods |
Study design: RCT (RBR‐7tyg5j)
Setting: Brazil, healthcare
Exercise groups: 2
Comparison groups: 0 |
| Participants |
Number of participants: 86 (E1 = 43, E2 = 43)
Chronic LBP duration: 42 months (long)
Neurological/radicular symptoms: Not specified
Mean age (years): 41
Sex (female): 76% |
| Interventions |
Exercise Group 1 (E1): Mat Pilates, performed on the ground using Swiss ball, and elastic bands; type = Pilates; duration = 6 weeks; dose = low; design = partially individualised; delivery = individual; additional intervention = none
Exercise Group 2 (E2): Equipment‐based Pilates, performed on the Cadillac, Reformer, Ladder Barrel, and Step Chair; type = Pilates; duration = 6 weeks; dose = low; design = partially individualised; delivery = individual; additional intervention = none |
| Outcomes |
Core outcomes reported: Pain (Numeric Rating Scale); function (Roland‐Morris Disability Questionnaire); Global Perceived Health or Recovery (Global Perceived Health or Recovery (Global Perceived Effect scale))
Follow‐up time periods available for syntheses: 6 weeks (short); 26 weeks (moderate) |
| Notes |
Conflicts of interest: Not reported
Funding source: National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq), Brazil (479645/2011‐6)
Other: None |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) |
Low risk |
A simple randomisation schedule was performed on Microsoft Excel for Windows. |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Low risk |
Using sealed, opaque, and sequentially numbered envelopes |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes |
High risk |
It was not possible to blind the participant and the physical therapist due to the interventions. |
| Blinding of care provider (performance bias) |
High risk |
It was not possible to blind the participant and the physical therapist due to the interventions. |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes |
High risk |
It was not possible to blind the participant and the physical therapist due to the interventions. |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes |
Low risk |
In Figure |
| Participants analysed in group allocated (attrition bias) |
Low risk |
Support for judgement was not available. |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) |
Low risk |
Support for judgement was not available. |
| Groups similar at baseline (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
Not described |
| Co‐interventions avoided or similar (performance bias) |
Unclear risk |
Not described |
| Compliance acceptable in all groups (performance bias) |
Low risk |
In the 90%+ for both groups |
| Timing of outcome assessment similar in all groups (detection bias) |
Low risk |
Support for judgement was not available. |
