OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is twofold (1) determine the quality of current available studies regarding the use of manual therapy intervention for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis LSS and (2) determine the effectiveness of manual therapy for the treatment of LSS. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was conducted using the Medline, CINAHL, PEDro and Cochrane Controlled Trials databases. Clinical trials and observational studies were also included. REVIEW METHODS: Abstracts of potentially relevant articles were reviewed and screened for inclusion criteria. The quality of the relevant articles after abstract screening was measured against the nineteen item Maastrhicht-Amsterdam criteria list. Two reviewers independently assessed the relevant articles using these criteria. Overall methodological quality scores and internal validity scores were determined by adding the positive scores from their respective criteria. RESULTS: Thirty-one relevant studies were identified. Twenty of these studies were excluded, leaving eleven studies meeting inclusion criteria for review. Overall methodological quality of the eleven studies was poor. Only one high quality randomized controlled trial (RCT) was identified. CONCLUSION: Based on this systematic review, preliminary evidence indicates that manual therapy combined with exercise demonstrates potential benefit in the treatment of LSS, but further evidence of effectiveness is needed.

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A brief summary and a critical assessment of this review may be available at DARE