| Study characteristics |
| Methods |
Study design: Cluster‐RCT (cross‐over)
Setting: Finland, occupational
Exercise groups: 1
Comparison groups: 1 |
| Participants |
Number of participants: 36 (E1 = 21, C1 = 15)
Chronic LBP duration: Not specified (not specified)
Neurological/radicular symptoms: Some participants
Mean age (years): Not reported
Sex (female): 80% |
| Interventions |
Exercise Group 1 (E1): Light resistance training: 6 dynamic symmetrical movements, extension and flexion of upper extremities, trunk and knees; type = strengthening; duration = 15 weeks; dose = high; design = partially individualised; delivery = independent with follow‐up; additional intervention = advice/education
Comparison Group 1 (C1): Usual care/no treatment (control group: no intervention) |
| Outcomes |
Core outcomes reported: Function (Support Needs Questionnaire)
Follow‐up time periods available for syntheses: 15 weeks (moderate) |
| Notes |
Conflicts of interest: Not reported
Funding source: Chydenius Institute; University of Jyvaskyla; Palokka health centre; Finnish Work Environment Fund; Juho Vainio Foundation
Other: Sufficient data not available for inclusion in meta‐analyses |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) |
Low risk |
After the baseline measurements the blinded measurers allocated the workers in each department into the two treatment sequence groups. |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Low risk |
The sequence was concealed from the participants for as long as possible. |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes |
High risk |
Not described |
| Blinding of care provider (performance bias) |
High risk |
Not described |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes |
High risk |
Not described |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes |
Low risk |
In the Low Back Symptoms Group, three subjects were lost to follow‐up during the physical exercise intervention. |
| Participants analysed in group allocated (attrition bias) |
Low risk |
In the Low Back Symptoms Group, three subjects were lost to follow‐up during the physical exercise intervention. |
| 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) |
Low risk |
Excluding the light resistance training, the participants were asked to keep the level of intensity and amount of their physical activity unchanged. |
| Compliance acceptable in all groups (performance bias) |
Low risk |
Training adherence (69%) was a percentage ratio of self‐reported training time and guided target training time. |
| Timing of outcome assessment similar in all groups (detection bias) |
Low risk |
Support for judgement was not available. |
