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Abstract
Background
Poor adherence to treatment is a worldwide problem and is also recognised in managing low back pain (LBP).
Objective
This review aims to evaluate the rate of adhering to physical activity advice.
Data sources
A systematic review was conducted by searching 12 databases from January 2000 to December 2019.
Study selection
Studies were eligible when assessing LBP patients’ adherence to activity advice.
Data extraction
Key data extracted related to adherence to home-based exercise and/or physical activity advice given to patients over 18 who suffer from non-specific LBP.
Data synthesis
After screening, 28 studies (out of 1171) were eligible for analysis. Given the studies’ outcomes, a qualitative summary was created.
Results
Adherence rates varied from 8% to 91%. Bias was likely in three out of 18 randomised trials. Outcomes of the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies ranged from 5 to 11 positive scores out of 14.
Limitations
Variability in describing activity advice, the use of different types of outcomes and the use of subjective measurement tools compromised the outcomes of this review.
Conclusions
The proportion of fully adhering patients is unclear. Therefore, more objective and uniform assessment tools are needed to assess adherence in future studies.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Mark van Velzen for the risk of bias and clinical relevance assessment of ‘Patients’ adherence to a walking program for non-specific low back pain’ [Citation39]. For translating two of the included articles, the authors thank Bart Vanthillo and Helena Boogaard Santeliz.
Author contributions
Ben van Koppen and Pim Zandwijk were the primary authors; Jurryt de Vries arbitrated if disagreement arose in the assessment processes; and Jurryt de Vries, Henk van Mameren and Rob de Bie gave input to the article.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
