Effectiveness of physical therapy for pain and gait disturbance of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this paper is to provide evidence for the effectiveness of physical therapy for pain and gait disturbance of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. [Methods] A systematic search of randomized controlled trials in English or Japanese up to June 2019 using five different databases was conducted and a meta-analysis was performed. [Results] Four RCTs that met the criteria were included. The meta-analysis showed significant medium-term and long-term improvements for pain in the intervention group with complex physical therapy compared to the control group. With regard to walking ability, significant medium-term and long-term benefits were observed in the intervention group. [Conclusion] Complex physical therapy showed limited evidence of effectiveness for back and lower limb pain and continuous walking distance. It was not possible to determine what should be selected as the optimal physical therapy.