Comparison 1. Motor control exercise versus other exercises.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Pain	16		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.1 Short‐term (< 3 months from randomisation)	13	872	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐7.53 [‐10.54, ‐4.52]
1.2 Intermediate (≥ 3 to 12 months)	6	588	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐2.98 [‐6.96, 0.99]
1.3 Long‐term (> 12 months)	5	643	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐2.69 [‐6.90, 1.53]
2 Disability	14		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.1 Short‐term (< 3 months from randomisation)	11	794	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐4.82 [‐6.95, ‐2.68]
2.2 Intermediate (≥ 3 to 12 months)	6	588	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐2.88 [‐6.92, 1.15]
2.3 Long‐term (> 12 months)	4	570	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.71 [‐4.87, 3.45]
3 Function	3		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
3.1 Short‐term (< 3 months from randomisation)	3	361	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	7.29 [1.53, 13.04]
3.2 Intermediate (≥ 3 to 12 months)	2	332	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.31 [‐0.83, 1.44]
3.3 Long‐term (> 12 months)	2	332	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.52 [‐1.36, 2.41]
4 Global impression of recovery	2		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
4.1 Short‐term (< 3 months from randomisation)	2	332	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.88 [‐0.88, 2.65]
4.2 Intermediate (≥ 3 to 12 months)	2	332	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.30 [‐0.22, 0.82]
4.3 Long‐term (> 12 months)	2	332	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.53 [‐0.03, 1.08]
5 Quality of life (physical component summary)	2		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
5.1 Short‐term (< 3 months from randomisation)	1	172	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.0 [‐3.80, 3.80]
5.2 Intermediate (≥ 3 to 12 months)	1	172	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	1.40 [‐2.61, 5.41]
5.3 Long‐term (> 12 months)	2	269	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.08 [‐3.14, 3.30]
6 Quality of life (mental component summary)	2		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
6.1 Short‐term (< 3 months from randomisation)	1	172	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.20 [‐3.39, 3.79]
6.2 Intermediate (≥ 3 to 12 months)	1	172	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐2.0 [‐5.32, 1.32]
6.3 Long‐term (> 12 months)	2	269	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.75 [‐3.33, 1.83]