1
Summary of results ‐ Type of exercise
RCT Trial Participants Interventions Results for adherence measures Results for clinical outcomes Carr 2005
(Moderate quality)LBP
(n = 237)I1: Back to fitness programme
I2: Individual physiotherapyNSD Pain: NSD
Function: NSD
QoL:. NSDEttinger 1997 (FAST)
(High quality)Knee OA
(n = 439)I1: Aerobic exercise
I2: Resistance exercise
C: Health educationNSD Pain: SD (I1 > C, I2 > C) Ferreira 2007
(Moderate quality)LBP
(n = 240)I1: General Exercise classes
I2: Motor Control Exercise
I3: Spinal ManipulationNSD Pain: NSD
Function: 8 weeks SD (I2 > I1), 6 & 12 months NSDFransen 2007
(High quality)OA
(n = 152)I1: Hydrotherapy
I2: Tai‐chi
C: Waiting listSD (I1 > I2) Pain: NSD
Function: NSDHalbert 2001
(Moderate quality)Hip or Knee OA
(n = 69)I: Individualised physical activity advice
C: Leaflet on good nutritionNSD Pain: NSD
Function: NSD
QoL: NSDHuang 2003
(Moderate quality)Knee OA
(n = 132)I1: Isokinetic muscle strength exercises
I2: Isotonic muscle strength exercises
I3: Isometric muscle strength exercises
C: Not statedNSD Pain: SD (I1 > C, I2 > C, I3 > C) Huang 2005
(Moderate quality)Knee OA
(n = 120)I1: Isokinetic muscle strength exercises
I2: Isokinetic muscle strength exercises + continuous ultrasound
I3: Isokinetic muscle strength exercises + pulsed ultrasound
C: No exercise or ultrasoundNSD Pain: SD (I1 > C, I2 > C, I3 > C) Koumantakis 2005
(High quality)LBP
(n = 55)I1: Back book + stabilisation enhanced exercise
I2: Back book + general exerciseNSD any adherence measure Pain: NSD
Function: SD (I2 > I1 post‐intervention only)Mangione 1999
(Moderate quality)Knee OA
(n = 54)I1: High intensity static cycling exercise
I2: Low intensity static cycling exerciseNSD Pain: NSD Mikesky 2006
(Moderate quality)Knee OA
(n = 221)I1: Strength training
C: ROM exercisesNSD any adherence measure Pain: NSD
Function: NSD
QoL: NSDMinor 1989
(Moderate quality)Lower limb OA
(n = 120)I1: Aerobic walking
I2: Aerobic aquatics
C: ROM exercisesNSD any adherence measure Pain: NSD
Function: SD (12 weeks I1 + I2 > C)Petrella 2000
(High quality)Knee OA
(n = 179)I: Oxaprozin + progressive exercise
C: Oxaprozin + joint unloadingNSD Pain: SD (I > C)
Function: SD (I > C)Sherman 2005
(Moderate quality)LBP
(n = 101)I1: Yoga
I2: Physiotherapy Exercise
C: Self‐care bookNSD any adherence measure Function: 12 weeks SD (I1 > I2). 6 weeks & 26 weeks NSD Song 2003
(Moderate quality)OA
(n = 72)I: Tai‐chi for arthritis
C: Not describedNSD Pain: SD (I > C) Soukup 1999
(Moderate quality)LBP
(n = 77)I: Mensendieck exercise programme
C: Received written and oral informationNSD Pain: NSD
Function: NSD ‐ VAS & Dartmouth Dartmouth COOP Functional Assessment ChartsViljanen 2003
(Moderate quality)Neck Pain
(n = 393)I1: Dynamic muscle training
I2: Relaxation training
C: Continue with usual activity levelsNSD both adherence measures Pain: NSD
Function: NSDYlinen 2003
(High quality)Neck Pain
(n = 180)I1: Endurance dynamic neck training
I2: High intensity isometric neck strengthening and stabilisation exercises
C: Recreational activities and home exercise programmeSD Pain: NSD (I1 v C, I2 v C). SD (I1 + I2 > C)
Function: NSD (I1 v C, I2 v C). SD (I1 + I2 > C)* Comparisons are for all time points unless otherwise stated
Abbreviations listed at end of Table 4