[Results of Rehabilitation in Chronic Non-Specific Back Pain in Germany - Meta-Analyses of Change Scores of Pain Intensity and Functional Capacity]

Abstract

Objective: How do pain intensity and functional capacity improve after rehabilitating chronic non-specific back pain? Are the changes of practical relevance for quality of life and social participation? Are they stronger than placebo effects?

Methods: Meta-analyses of short-, medium- and long-term outcomes from rehabilitation studies with standardized mean differences and MID-units were performed, as well as meta-analyses of outcomes of sham therapies. In addition, non-standardized effect measures and the amount of reliable change were determined.

Results: for pain intensity short-term effects were moderate, long-term effects were small, for functional capacity short-term effects were small, and no effects occurred in the long term. The effects were at no time of practical relevance. Similar results could be achieved with sham treatments.

Conclusion: As far as pain intensity and functional capacity are concerned, the typical rehabilitee does not experience any significant improvements; a smaller proportion achieve results in the range of placebo effects.