Your research digest
Monday 26 October 2026 · 3 new papers
The effects of telerehabilitation in patients with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Science Progress · 21 Oct 2026 · doi:10.1177/00368504261490504
This meta-analysis of 21 randomised trials with 2,148 adults compared telerehabilitation with face-to-face care or minimal interventions for chronic low back pain. Telerehabilitation gave a small reduction in pain, clearest in eight-week programmes, but no significant effect on disability or fear of movement. Certainty of evidence was low to very low.
Why this is for you: Remote delivery of rehabilitation for chronic low back pain, pooled across 21 RCTs.
Relevant · Not relevant
Pilates combined with Cognitive Functional Therapy in women with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a three-arm randomized controlled trial on physical and psychological outcomes
Pain Medicine · 19 Oct 2026 · doi:10.1093/pm/pnag139
120 women aged 20 to 50 with mild to moderate chronic low back pain were randomised to Pilates with Cognitive Functional Therapy, Pilates alone, or a control group; interventions lasted eight weeks. Both Pilates groups improved pain, disability and trunk endurance compared with controls. Adding Cognitive Functional Therapy further reduced fear of movement but not pain or disability.
Why this is for you: Tests whether Cognitive Functional Therapy adds value on top of an exercise programme.
Relevant · Not relevant
Periodized resistance training versus aerobic training in managing nonspecific chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial
Physiotherapy Research International · 1 Oct 2026 · doi:10.1002/pri.70368
Thirty-eight adults with chronic non-specific low back pain were randomised to eight weeks of periodised resistance or aerobic training, three times a week. After adjusting for baseline differences, resistance training led to lower pain, disability and fear of movement, and to greater trunk strength and endurance. The trial was small and had no long-term follow-up.
Why this is for you: Head-to-head comparison of two exercise programmes for chronic low back pain.
Relevant · Not relevant