STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of interventions. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for acute low-back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: SMT is one of many therapies for the treatment of low-back pain, which is a worldwide, extensively practised intervention. METHODS: Search methods: an experienced librarian searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in multiple databases up to 31 March 2011. Selection criteria: RCTs which examined manipulation or mobilisation in adults with acute low-back pain (< six weeks duration) were included. The primary outcomes were pain, functional status and perceived recovery. Secondary outcomes were return-to-work and quality of life. Data collection and analysis: two authors independently conducted the study selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction. GRADE was used to assess the quality of the evidence. The effects were examined for: SMT versus (1) inert interventions, (2) sham SMT, (3) other interventions, and (4) SMT as adjunct therapy. RESULTS: We identified 20 RCTs (total participants = 2,674), twelve (60%) of which were not included in the previous review. In total, six trials (30% of all included studies) had a low risk of bias. In general, for the outcomes of pain and functional status, there is low to very low quality evidence suggesting no difference in effect for SMT when compared to inert interventions, sham SMT or as adjunct therapy. There was varying quality of evidence (from very low to moderate) suggesting no difference in effect for SMT when compared with other interventions. Data were particularly sparse for recovery, return-to-work, quality of life, and costs of care. No serious complications were observed with SMT. CONCLUSIONS: SMT is no more effective for acute low-back pain than inert interventions, sham SMT or as adjunct therapy. SMT also appears to be no better than other recommended therapies. Our evaluation is limited by the few numbers of studies; therefore, future research is likely to have an important impact on these estimates. Future RCTs should examine specific subgroups and include an economic evaluation.
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