Comparison 3. Motor control exercise versus minimal intervention.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Pain	6		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.1 Short‐term (< 3 months from randomisation)	4	291	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐10.01 [‐15.67, ‐4.35]
1.2 Intermediate (≥ 3 to 12 months)	4	348	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐12.61 [‐20.53, ‐4.69]
1.3 Long‐term (> 12 months)	3	279	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐12.97 [‐18.51, ‐7.42]
2 Disability	7		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.1 Short‐term (< 3 months from randomisation)	5	332	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐8.63 [‐14.78, ‐2.47]
2.2 Intermediate (≥ 3 to 12 months)	4	348	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐5.47 [‐9.17, ‐1.77]
2.3 Long‐term (> 12 months)	3	279	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐5.96 [‐9.81, ‐2.11]
3 Function	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
3.1 Short‐term (< 3 months from randomisation)	1	154	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.10 [0.36, 1.84]
3.2 Intermediate (≥ 3 to 12 months)	1	154	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.0 [0.16, 1.84]
3.3 Long‐term (> 12 months)	1	154	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.50 [0.68, 2.32]
4 Global impression of recovery	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
4.1 Short‐term (< 3 months from randomisation)	1	154	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.3 [0.30, 2.30]
4.2 Intermediate (≥ 3 to 12 months)	1	154	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.2 [0.31, 2.09]
4.3 Long‐term (> 12 months)	1	154	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.5 [0.61, 2.39]