Four MBE Therapies to Improve Pain Scores, Physical Functioning, and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Network Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

IF 3.4 2区医学 Q1 ANESTHESIOLOGY

European Journal of Pain Pub Date : 2025-07-30 DOI:10.1002/ejp.70092

Yi Xia, Yimin Hu, Juan Ouyang, Rui Huang

{"title":"Four MBE Therapies to Improve Pain Scores, Physical Functioning, and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Network Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials","authors":"Yi Xia, Yimin Hu, Juan Ouyang, Rui Huang","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70092","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Background</h3>\n \n <p>Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that severely affects patients' quality of life and work capacity. Due to its complex aetiology and lack of clear pathological markers, conventional treatments often provide limited relief. Mind–body exercises (MBEs), including Tai Chi (TC), Qigong (QG), Daoyin, and Yoga, have gained attention for their dual physical and psychological benefits. This study evaluates these four MBEs to determine their efficacy in managing CNSLBP.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Methods</h3>\n \n <p>A systematic search of seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, EBSCO, CNKI, WANFANG) identified 29 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 3803 CNSLBP patients. Outcomes included pain scores (PS), physical functioning (PF), and quality of life (QOL). A network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17.0 to compare intervention effectiveness and assess direct/indirect evidence consistency.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Results</h3>\n \n <p>The results of the network meta-analysis showed that in terms of pain scores (PS), Qigong (QG, SUCRA = 79.5%, SMD = −3.08) had the best effect; in terms of physical functioning (PF), Qigong (SUCRA = 86.5%, SMD = −4.94) remained the best intervention; whereas, in terms of quality of life (QOL), Tai Chi (TC, SUCRA = 94.3%, SMD = 13.15) had the most significant effect. Qigong was superior in terms of pain and functional improvement, while Tai Chi performed optimally in terms of quality-of-life improvement.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Conclusion</h3>\n \n <p>QG is the most effective for pain relief and improving physical function, while TC best enhances QoL. Different MBEs have distinct effects on functional outcomes, suggesting that interventions should be tailored to individual patient needs. Combining multiple approaches may optimise results for CNSLBP management.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Significance Statement</h3>\n \n <p>This study highlights the efficacy of mind–body exercises (Qigong, Yoga, Tai Chi) in improving pain, function, and quality of life for chronic low back pain. Qigong and Yoga excel in pain relief, while Tai Chi enhances well-being. By integrating physical movement with mental focus, these low-intensity, adaptable therapies offer a holistic, non-pharmacological approach, emphasising personalised care for long-term management.</p>\n </section>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"European Journal of Pain","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejp.70092","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ANESTHESIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that severely affects patients' quality of life and work capacity. Due to its complex aetiology and lack of clear pathological markers, conventional treatments often provide limited relief. Mind–body exercises (MBEs), including Tai Chi (TC), Qigong (QG), Daoyin, and Yoga, have gained attention for their dual physical and psychological benefits. This study evaluates these four MBEs to determine their efficacy in managing CNSLBP.

Methods

A systematic search of seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, EBSCO, CNKI, WANFANG) identified 29 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 3803 CNSLBP patients. Outcomes included pain scores (PS), physical functioning (PF), and quality of life (QOL). A network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17.0 to compare intervention effectiveness and assess direct/indirect evidence consistency.

Results

The results of the network meta-analysis showed that in terms of pain scores (PS), Qigong (QG, SUCRA = 79.5%, SMD = −3.08) had the best effect; in terms of physical functioning (PF), Qigong (SUCRA = 86.5%, SMD = −4.94) remained the best intervention; whereas, in terms of quality of life (QOL), Tai Chi (TC, SUCRA = 94.3%, SMD = 13.15) had the most significant effect. Qigong was superior in terms of pain and functional improvement, while Tai Chi performed optimally in terms of quality-of-life improvement.

Conclusion

QG is the most effective for pain relief and improving physical function, while TC best enhances QoL. Different MBEs have distinct effects on functional outcomes, suggesting that interventions should be tailored to individual patient needs. Combining multiple approaches may optimise results for CNSLBP management.

Significance Statement

This study highlights the efficacy of mind–body exercises (Qigong, Yoga, Tai Chi) in improving pain, function, and quality of life for chronic low back pain. Qigong and Yoga excel in pain relief, while Tai Chi enhances well-being. By integrating physical movement with mental focus, these low-intensity, adaptable therapies offer a holistic, non-pharmacological approach, emphasising personalised care for long-term management.

查看原文本刊更多论文

四种MBE疗法改善慢性非特异性腰痛患者的疼痛评分、身体功能和生活质量：随机对照试验的网络荟萃分析

慢性非特异性腰痛（CNSLBP）是一种常见的肌肉骨骼疾病，严重影响患者的生活质量和工作能力。由于其复杂的病因和缺乏明确的病理标记，常规治疗往往提供有限的缓解。包括太极（TC）、气功（QG）、道教和瑜伽在内的身心锻炼（MBEs）因其对身体和心理的双重益处而受到关注。本研究评估了这四种MBEs，以确定其治疗CNSLBP的疗效。方法系统检索PubMed、Embase、Web of Science、Cochrane、EBSCO、CNKI、万方等7个数据库，纳入29项随机对照试验（RCTs），涉及3803例CNSLBP患者。结果包括疼痛评分（PS）、身体功能（PF）和生活质量（QOL）。使用Stata 17.0进行网络荟萃分析，比较干预效果并评估直接/间接证据的一致性。结果网络meta分析结果显示，在疼痛评分（PS）方面，气功（QG, SUCRA = 79.5%, SMD =−3.08）效果最好；在身体功能（PF）方面，气功（SUCRA = 86.5%, SMD = - 4.94）仍然是最好的干预；而在生活质量（QOL）方面，太极（TC, SUCRA = 94.3%, SMD = 13.15）的效果最为显著。气功在疼痛和功能改善方面表现更好，而太极拳在生活质量改善方面表现最佳。结论QG对缓解疼痛和改善身体功能最有效，而TC对改善生活质量最有效。不同的MBEs对功能结果有不同的影响，这表明干预措施应该根据患者的个体需求量身定制。多种方法的结合可以优化CNSLBP管理的结果。本研究强调了身心运动（气功、瑜伽、太极）在改善慢性腰痛的疼痛、功能和生活质量方面的功效。气功和瑜伽在缓解疼痛方面表现出色，而太极拳则能增强幸福感。通过将身体运动与精神集中相结合，这些低强度、适应性强的疗法提供了一种整体的、非药物的方法，强调长期管理的个性化护理。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

European Journal of Pain 医学-临床神经学

CiteScore

7.50

自引率

5.60%

发文量

163

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： European Journal of Pain (EJP) publishes clinical and basic science research papers relevant to all aspects of pain and its management, including specialties such as anaesthesia, dentistry, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, palliative care, pharmacology, physiology, psychiatry, psychology and rehabilitation; socio-economic aspects of pain are also covered. Regular sections in the journal are as follows: • Editorials and Commentaries • Position Papers and Guidelines • Reviews • Original Articles • Letters • Bookshelf The journal particularly welcomes clinical trials, which are published on an occasional basis. Research articles are published under the following subject headings: • Neurobiology • Neurology • Experimental Pharmacology • Clinical Pharmacology • Psychology • Behavioural Therapy • Epidemiology • Cancer Pain • Acute Pain • Clinical Trials.