| Study characteristics |
| Methods |
Study design: RCT
Setting: India, healthcare
Exercise groups: 1
Comparison groups: 1 |
| Participants |
Number of participants: 102 (E1 = 51, C1 = 51)
Chronic LBP duration: Not specified (not specified)
Neurological/radicular symptoms: Not specified
Mean age (years): 34
Sex (female): 0% |
| Interventions |
Exercise Group 1 (E1): Dynamic muscular stabilisation: segmental stability training delivered in 4 stages: 1) abdominal hollowing; 2) stability exercises static load; 3) progressed to controlled movement; 4) high speed movement; type = core strengthening; duration = 5 weeks; dose = low; design = standardised; delivery = individual; additional intervention = none
Comparison Group 1 (C1): Other conservative treatment (physical therapy) |
| Outcomes |
Core outcomes reported: Pain (Visual Analogue Scale)
Follow‐up time periods available for syntheses: 25 weeks (moderate) |
| Notes |
Conflicts of interest: None to declare
Funding source: Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
Other: None |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) |
Low risk |
The subjects were randomly assigned equally into two groups by a lottery. |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
Not clear whether the papers were opaque or able to be read before picking |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes |
High risk |
After group allocations, respective subjects were treated either with conventional treatment or dynamic muscular stabilization techniques in a single‐blind manner. |
| Blinding of care provider (performance bias) |
High risk |
Not described |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes |
High risk |
Severity or level of pain, back pressure changes and abdominal pressure changes were assessed by same tester and same physiotherapist supervising the test procedure at baseline. |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes |
Low risk |
No dropouts |
| Participants analysed in group allocated (attrition bias) |
Low risk |
No dropouts |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) |
Low risk |
Support for judgement was not available. |
| Groups similar at baseline (selection bias) |
Low risk |
The baseline characteristics across groups were found to be the same. |
| Co‐interventions avoided or similar (performance bias) |
Low risk |
The subjects were not allowed to receive any other treatment, including painkillers. |
| Compliance acceptable in all groups (performance bias) |
Unclear risk |
Not described |
| Timing of outcome assessment similar in all groups (detection bias) |
Low risk |
Support for judgement was not available. |
