Effectiveness of Movement Representation Techniques in Chronic Non-Specific Spinal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Summary

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of movement representation techniques (MRTs) for reducing pain intensity, disability, and kinesiophobia (fear of movement) in adults with chronic non-specific spinal pain. Nine controlled studies were included in the systematic review, with 8 randomized controlled trials contributing to the meta-analysis. Participants received motor imagery, mirror therapy, or movement recognition tasks, either independently or alongside conventional rehabilitation, compared with active treatment, sham interventions, or no treatment. Interventions lasted between 3 and 10 weeks. MRTs significantly reduced pain intensity and disability compared with control interventions, while improvements in fear of movement were not statistically significant. Additional analyses restricted to motor imagery demonstrated similar improvements in pain and disability. Overall, these findings suggest that MRTs may provide benefits for pain management and physical function in adults with chronic spinal pain, although the very low certainty of evidence limits confidence in these effects.