| Study characteristics |
| Methods |
Study design: RCT
Setting: Singapore, general population
Exercise groups: 2
Comparison groups: 0 |
| Participants |
Number of participants: 28 (E1 = 14, E2 = 14)
Chronic LBP duration: 57 months (long)
Neurological/radicular symptoms: No participants
Mean age (years): 54
Sex (female): Not reported |
| Interventions |
Exercise Group 1 (E1): Functional back exercises, practising functional tasks, and home exercises; type = other (not specified); duration = 4 weeks; dose = low; design = partially individualised; delivery = group; additional intervention = advice/education & psychological therapy
Exercise Group 2 (E2): Generic mat exercise: stretches (cat/camel, quads, hamstrings, hip rotators), core stability exercises (bridging, dead bugs, etc.) and home exercises; type = mixed; duration = 4 weeks; dose = low; design = standardised; delivery = group; 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: 4 weeks (short) |
| Notes |
Conflicts of interest: Not reported
Funding source: Not reported
Other: SDs imputed |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
The participants were randomised using a sealed envelope. |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Low risk |
Sealed envelope |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes |
Low risk |
Support for judgement was not available. |
| Blinding of care provider (performance bias) |
Unclear risk |
The physiotherapists who instructed the exercise classes were blinded to the data collected from their groups. |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes |
Low risk |
Support for judgement was not available. |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes |
Low risk |
Thirteen of 28 subjects did not complete the follow‐up measures, but all completed treatment. |
| Participants analysed in group allocated (attrition bias) |
High 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 |
Chronicity seemed very different across groups. |
| Co‐interventions avoided or similar (performance bias) |
Low risk |
Participants in both groups were advised not to seek any other treatments in order to standardise the treatments received. |
| Compliance acceptable in all groups (performance bias) |
Unclear risk |
The physiotherapist attending the experimental group reported greater compliance among participants. |
| Timing of outcome assessment similar in all groups (detection bias) |
Low risk |
Support for judgement was not available. |
