The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention on physical function in individuals with chronic low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Author: K Soundararajan1, Venkatesan Prem2, Thomas J Kishen3
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, India. <sup>2</sup> Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, India. Electronic address: prem.v@manipal.edu. <sup>3</sup> Department of Spine Care, Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Clin Pract
Date published: 2022 Jun 23
Other: Volume ID: 49 , Pages: 101623 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101623. , Word Count: 206


Background:
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is often used as a complementary treatment for chronic low back pain (CLBP), but its effects on the physical function component of the outcome are not addressed. This systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness of MBSR on outcomes of physical functions in CLBP individuals.

Methods:
Databases searched included PubMed/MEDLINE, PEDro, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, and other sources (Google Scholar, ProQuest, Research Gate) from inception to January 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing MBSR with additional interventions that evaluated physical function among CLBP individuals were included. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool.

Results:
Six RCTs involving CLBP individuals were eligible for review. The between-group differences in RMDQ for the MBSR therapies against comparator therapies were significant at eight weeks follow-up (3 RCTs; MD, -1.28 [CI, -2.04 to -0.53]) and six months follow-up (2 RCTs; MD, -0.16 [CI, -1.01 to 0.69]).

Conclusion:
MBSR therapy improves physical function at 8 weeks and 6 months follow-up in CLBP individuals. Further high-quality RCTs are warranted for the long-term effect of MBSR therapy on physical function outcomes.

Keywords: Chronic low back pain; Mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy; Physical function.

PMID: 35779457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101623