Physiotherapy no better than advice for back pain

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Physiotherapy no better than advice for back pain

News-Medical.Net 23-Sep-2004

Routine physiotherapy for mild to moderate low back pain is no more

effective than a single advice session with a physiotherapist, finds a

study in this week's BMJ.

Physiotherapists in the British NHS treat around 1.3 million people

for low back pain each year, but there is very little evidence for its

effectiveness. International guidelines vary but generally recommend

advice to remain active.

The study involved 286 patients with low back pain of more than six

weeks' duration; 144 received therapy and 142 received advice only.

Level of disability was measured at two, six, and 12 months. Patient

perceived benefit of treatment was also assessed.

Patients in the therapy group were more likely to report benefits from

treatment, but there was no evidence of a long term effect of

physiotherapy. There were no differences in disability scores between

the groups at 12 months.

Routine physiotherapy seems to be no more effective than one session

of assessment and advice from a physiotherapist, conclude the authors.

http://www.bmj.com