Dose-response relationship between exercise and pain in chronic low back pain

Here, researchers conducted a systematic literature review with meta-analysis to quantify the dose-response relationship between global and specific exercise modalities and pain, in patients with chronic low back pain. A total of 82 trials involving 5,033 patients were included. Analyses showed a non-linear dose-response relationship between total exercise and pain in patients with chronic low back pain. The dose-response relationship of different exercise modalities for improving pain in patients with chronic low back pain had a U-shaped trajectory. The evidence for certainty was weak to moderate. The clinical effect was most pronounced with Pilates-type exercises.