SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Physiol.
Sec. Exercise Physiology
Effects of Different Exercise Interventions on Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Provisionally accepted
- 1Lanzhou University First Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- 2Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Objective: Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. This study evaluates exercise interventions' pain relief and functional benefits for affected individuals to inform clinical practice. Methods: We searched nine electronic databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined exercise interventions for LBP. Results: 35 RCTs (n = 2,132) were included. Exercise interventions were categorized into eight types: Pilates,yoga, core training, Tai Chi, walking, stretching, cycling, and deep-water running. Compared to usual care or other types of pain management interventions, exercise interventions demonstrated a significant overall difference in reducing pain (SMD = –0.81, 95% CI -0.91, -0.72; 17.31, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that Tai Chi (SMD = –0.95), walking (MD = –1.05), and Pilates (MD = –1.14) exhibited the most significant analgesic effects. Regarding functional disability improvement, assessment using the Oswestry Disability Index showed significant efficacy for walking (MD = –6.34, P < 0.001), Pilates (MD = –4.73, P < 0.0001), and yoga (MD = –3.41, P = 0.002). However, assessment using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) indicated that only Pilates resulted in significant improvement (MD = –2.34, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Pilates, yoga, and walking reduce pain and improve function in non-specific LBP. Tai Chi and core-stability training also achieve significant analgesia. Evidence for stretching, and cycling remains inconclusive.
Keywords: Low Back Pain, Exercise Intervention, Meta-analysis, Rehabilitation, pain relief
Received: 28 Aug 2025; Accepted: 26 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Liu, Gao, Wu, Huang, Han, Xu and Chen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Wanqiang Chen
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