1

Summary of results ‐ Type of exercise

RCTTrial ParticipantsInterventionsResults for adherence measuresResults for clinical outcomes
Carr 2005
(Moderate quality)
LBP
(n = 237)
I1: Back to fitness programme
I2: Individual physiotherapy
NSDPain: NSD
Function: NSD
QoL:. NSD

Ettinger 1997 (FAST)
(High quality)
Knee OA
(n = 439)
I1: Aerobic exercise
I2: Resistance exercise
C: Health education
NSDPain: SD (I1 > C, I2 > C)

Ferreira 2007
(Moderate quality)
LBP
(n = 240)
I1: General Exercise classes
I2: Motor Control Exercise
I3: Spinal Manipulation
NSDPain: NSD
Function: 8 weeks SD (I2 > I1), 6 & 12 months NSD

Fransen 2007
(High quality)
OA
(n = 152)
I1: Hydrotherapy
I2: Tai‐chi
C: Waiting list
SD (I1 > I2)Pain: NSD
Function: NSD

Halbert 2001
(Moderate quality)
Hip or Knee OA
(n = 69)
I: Individualised physical activity advice
C: Leaflet on good nutrition
NSDPain: NSD
Function: NSD
QoL: NSD

Huang 2003
(Moderate quality)
Knee OA
(n = 132)
I1: Isokinetic muscle strength exercises
I2: Isotonic muscle strength exercises
I3: Isometric muscle strength exercises
C: Not stated
NSDPain: 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 ultrasound
NSDPain: SD (I1 > C, I2 > C, I3 > C)

Koumantakis 2005
(High quality)
LBP
(n = 55)
I1: Back book + stabilisation enhanced exercise
I2: Back book + general exercise
NSD any adherence measurePain: 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 exercise
NSDPain: NSD

Mikesky 2006
(Moderate quality)
Knee OA
(n = 221)
I1: Strength training
C: ROM exercises
NSD any adherence measurePain: NSD
Function: NSD
QoL: NSD

Minor 1989
(Moderate quality)
Lower limb OA
(n = 120)
I1: Aerobic walking
I2: Aerobic aquatics
C: ROM exercises
NSD any adherence measurePain: NSD
Function: SD (12 weeks I1 + I2 > C)

Petrella 2000
(High quality)
Knee OA
(n = 179)
I: Oxaprozin + progressive exercise
C: Oxaprozin + joint unloading
NSDPain: SD (I > C)
Function: SD (I > C)

Sherman 2005
(Moderate quality)
LBP
(n = 101)
I1: Yoga
I2: Physiotherapy Exercise
C: Self‐care book
NSD any adherence measureFunction: 12 weeks SD (I1 > I2). 6 weeks & 26 weeks NSD

Song 2003
(Moderate quality)
OA
(n = 72)
I: Tai‐chi for arthritis
C: Not described
NSDPain: SD (I > C)

Soukup 1999
(Moderate quality)
LBP
(n = 77)
I: Mensendieck exercise programme
C: Received written and oral information
NSDPain: NSD
Function: NSD ‐ VAS & Dartmouth Dartmouth COOP Functional Assessment Charts

Viljanen 2003
(Moderate quality)
Neck Pain
(n = 393)
I1: Dynamic muscle training
I2: Relaxation training
C: Continue with usual activity levels
NSD both adherence measuresPain: NSD
Function: NSD

Ylinen 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 programme
SDPain: 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