Sling Exercise in the Management of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Drummond, C, Lebedeva, V, Kirker, K, and Masaracchio, M. Sling exercise in the management of chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 38(10): 1822-1833, 2024-The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness of sling exercise therapy (SET) in individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP). Eligible studies were randomized clinical trials or prospective cohort studies published in the English language that assessed SET on measures of pain, disability, or muscle attributes in chronic LBP. The search identified 1,204 studies, with 12 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The average score was 7.3 on the Cochrane Risk of Bias Criteria. Meta-analysis comparing SET with general exercise revealed a nonsignificant effect for pain (mean difference [MD] 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.58, 0.87). Meta-analysis comparing SET with motor control training/lumbar stabilization revealed a significant effect favoring SET for pain (MD -4.13; 95% CI: -7.82 to -0.45) and disability (MD -3.19; 95% CI: -4.63 to -1.76). Meta-analysis comparing SET with no treatment revealed a significant effect favoring SET for pain (MD -1.05; 95% CI: -2.82 to -0.71). Meta-analysis comparing SET plus modalities with modalities revealed a significant effect favoring the SET plus modalities group for pain (MD -1.19; 95% CI: -1.48 to -0.89) and a nonsignificant effect for disability (MD -6.67; 95% CI: -17.25 to 3.92). Sling exercise therapy was more effective than all comparisons for various muscle attributes. The overall level of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Sling exercise therapy is effective in reducing pain, disability, and improving core muscle activation, strength, thickness, and onset in patients with chronic LBP. Because SET demonstrated comparable outcomes with common active interventions, it provides an opportunity to implement pain-free exercises based on the patient's initial functional level early in the plan of care.