The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the current evidence for the benefit of stabilisation (or 'core stability') exercises for low back pain.
In 1989 Bone et al. [2] reported the benefits of early stabilisation of fractures in relation to a decrease in the duration of hospitalisation (early total care — ETC).
In clinical trials of gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ∼40% of patients with advanced NSCLC who had received at least one prior chemotherapy regimen demonstrated clinical benefit of response/disease stabilisation accompanied by a rapid improvement of symptoms (Fukuoka et al, 2003; Kris et al, 2003).
Results from phase I clinical trials showed signs of clinical benefit, in terms of stabilisation of the disease, and a favourable tolerability profile, with mild and relatively infrequent side effects (Anthoney et al, 2000; Armand et al, 2001; Bowman et al, 2001; Mauroun et al, 2001; Ciruelos et al, 2002).
Combining the results of high quality studies demonstrated statistical significant benefit (mean difference) of stabilisation exercises for low back pain short and long term of -3.61 (95% CI -6.53 to -0.70), -3.92 (95% CI -7.25 to -0.59), when compared with any alternative treatment or control.
Combining the results of high quality studies demonstrated significant benefit (mean difference) of stabilisation exercises for low back pain short, medium and long term of -7.93 (95% CI -11.74 to -4.12), -6.10 (95% CI -10.54 to -1.65) and -6.39 (95% CI -10.14 to -2.65) respectively, when compared with any alternative treatment or control.
Meta-analysis showed significant benefit for stabilisation exercises versus any alternative treatment or control for long term pain and disability with mean difference of -6.39 (95% CI -10.14 to -2.65) and -3.92 (95% CI -7.25 to -0.59) respectively.
Our findings differ from the Byström et al [ 22] review which concluded long term benefit to disability in favour of stabilisation exercises over general exercises and with regards to pain at intermediate term.
We demonstrated the positive impact of APN on the assessed parameters, first of all the phase angle, and we observed at least a temporary benefit or stabilisation of the nutritional status in the majority of the investigated patients.
Yet, if the people of eastern DRC are to feel the benefits of 'peace', it is vital to get stabilisation right, after the failed stabilisation strategies of the past," it said.
