Motor control exercise for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a prevalent condition causing significant individual and societal burden.
• Conservative treatments, particularly physical therapy and therapeutic exercise, are crucial for managing symptomatic LDH.
• Motor control exercise (MCE) is a specific therapeutic exercise approach under investigation for LDH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate the effectiveness of motor control exercise (MCE) for individuals with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of clinical trials with concurrent control groups evaluating MCE for symptomatic LDH.
• Comprehensive literature search across major databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, PEDro, etc.) with no language restrictions.
• Primary outcomes include pain intensity and functional disability; secondary outcomes cover functional tests, muscle characteristics, quality of life, return to work, endurance, and adverse events. Risk of bias assessed using PEDro scale.

Main Results:

• This section is to be filled once the review is completed and results are available.
• The review will synthesize findings on MCE's impact on pain, function, and other relevant outcomes in LDH patients.
• Statistical analyses, including meta-analysis and subgroup analyses, will be employed to determine the overall effect and identify influencing factors.

Conclusions:

• This systematic review will provide evidence-based conclusions on the efficacy of MCE for symptomatic LDH.
• Findings will inform clinical practice guidelines and future research directions in the management of LDH.
• The study aims to clarify the role of MCE in improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of LDH.