Evidence Review Now Available

Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review
(Systematic Review, released on June 11, 2018)

Selected Key Messages:

- Interventions that improved function and/or pain for at least 1 month when used for—

Chronic low back pain: Exercise, psychological therapies (primarily cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]), spinal manipulation, low-level laser therapy, massage, mindfulness-based stress reduction, yoga, acupuncture, multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MDR).
Chronic neck pain: Exercise, low-level laser, Alexander Technique, acupuncture.
Knee osteoarthritis: Exercise, ultrasound.
Hip osteoarthritis: Exercise, manual therapies.
Fibromyalgia: Exercise, CBT, myofascial release massage, tai chi, qigong, acupuncture, MDR.
Chronic tension headache: Spinal manipulation.

- Most effects were small. Long-term evidence was sparse.

- There was no evidence suggesting serious harms from any of the interventions studied; data on harms were limited.

For more, see: https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/topics/nonpharma-treatment-pain/research-2018

About us: AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program is committed to providing the best available evidence on the outcomes, benefits and harms, and appropriateness of drugs, devices, and health care services and by helping health care professionals, patients, policymakers, and health care systems make informed health care decisions. The program partners with research centers, academic institutions, health professional societies, consumer organizations, and other stakeholders to conduct research, evidence synthesis, evidence translation, dissemination, and implementation of research findings.

To learn more: https://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov