Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2022 , Vol 68 , Num 3

Efficacy and safety of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for chronic low back pain: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Li Ling-Xin 1-2-3 ,Huang Ke-Yao 1 ,Zhang Rui 1 ,Liu Zuo-Yan 1-3-4 ,Pu Li-Hui 5
1 Rehabilitation Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
2 School of Rehabilitation Sciences, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
3 Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
4 West China School of Nursing, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
5 Menzies Health Institute & School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane Queensland, Australia
DOI : 10.5606/tftrd.2022.7797 Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for chronic low back pain.

Materials and methods: Eleven databases were searched from their inception through January 2021. The primary outcomes were pain intensity, individual activities, quality of life, and adverse events.

Results: Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 184 patients (mean age: 37.8±3.1 years; range, 35 to 50 years) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled effect size showed proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, relieved pain (standard means difference [SMD]: -0.835, 95% CI: -1.139 to -0.531, p<0.001, n=4), and improved individual activity (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, SMD: -1.765, 95% CI: -2.642 to -0.888, p<0.001, n=2; Oswestry Disability Index, SMD: -0.893, 95% CI: -1.434 to -0.352, p=0.001, n=1) for chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Conclusion: This study verified that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation could relieve pain and improve individual activities without serious adverse events in patients with CLBP; however, it should be cautiously recommended due to the small number of included RCTs. Keywords : Chronic low back pain, meta-analysis, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, systematic review