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How effective are physiotherapy interventions in treating people with sciatica? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Lucy Dove1,2, Gillian Jones3, Lee Anne Kelsey4
1Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, The University of Oxford, West Wing Level 6, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
Summary
This systematic review found inadequate evidence to recommend physiotherapy for sciatica due to high risk of bias and heterogeneity in studies. Future research needs to address these limitations for clearer clinical guidance on sciatica management.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation Sciences
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Physiotherapy is a common first-line treatment for sciatica, but its effectiveness is debated.
- Systematic reviews are crucial for synthesizing evidence on treatment efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence is insufficient to recommend physiotherapy for sciatica due to significant limitations in study quality and heterogeneity.
- Future research should focus on high-quality RCTs with contemporary physiotherapy interventions and reduced heterogeneity to clarify treatment effectiveness.
