Effectiveness of chiropractic care for low back pain: protocol for an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of
Andrea J Darzi1,2,3, Peter C Emary2, Behnam Sadeghirad1,2,3,4
1Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.
Abstract:
A 2016 review of randomized trials found that chiropractic care was as effective as physiotherapy for low back pain and was unable to establish the effectiveness of chiropractic care vs. exercise therapy or medical care; however, this review had several methodological limitations. We will conduct an updated systematic review to address these limitations and determine the effectiveness of chiropractic care compared to other usual care approaches for adults with non-specific low back pain. We will search for eligible trials indexed in MEDLINE, AMED, Embase, CINAHL, the Index to Chiropractic Literature, and the Cochrane Library from January 1, 2016 through August 31, 2026. Pairs of independent reviewers will conduct study selection, data abstraction, and risk-of-bias assessment. We will conduct meta-analyses using random-effects models and assess the certainty of evidence of all outcomes with the GRADE approach. Our results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.
