Implementing evidence-based physiotherapy practice for treating children with low back pain: are we there yet?

Area of Science:

• Physiotherapy
• Pediatric Medicine
• Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background:

• Nonspecific low back pain (LBP) is prevalent in children and adolescents.
• Evidence-based practice is crucial for effective LBP management.
• Current literature primarily focuses on adult LBP treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To appraise evidence-based physiotherapy practices for pediatric nonspecific low back pain (LBP).
• To identify gaps in the literature regarding LBP treatment in children and adolescents.

Main Methods:

• Systematic reviews on physiotherapy for nonspecific LBP were analyzed.
• Nine systematic reviews focusing on adult populations were identified.
• Fifty pediatric patient charts were reviewed to assess current clinical practices.

Main Results:

• No systematic reviews included pediatric populations; all focused on adults.
• Strong evidence supports therapeutic exercises and education for LBP.
• Insufficient evidence exists for thermotherapy, TENS, or ultrasound in pediatric LBP.
• Therapeutic exercises were used in 100% of reviewed pediatric cases; education in 96%.

Conclusions:

• Published literature reviews are insufficient for guiding pediatric LBP physiotherapy.
• There is a critical need for developing clinical guidelines for treating nonspecific LBP in children and adolescents.