A new Cochrane review finds very low-quality evidence on lumbar supports for chronic low back pain, meaning that no strong recommendations can be made either for or against their use.
Lumbar supports are inexpensive back or belt braces that stabilize the lower back. They are commonly prescribed and used around the world for chronic low back pain.
Researchers based in Milan, Italy reviewed eight randomised controlled trials involving just over 500 adults aged between 25 and 78 years. The studies compared lumbar supports and other assistive devices, used either on their own or alongside treatments such as pain medication and exercise, with no treatment or standard care.
Not enough evidence to support (or reject) widely-used back braces
Across most comparisons, lumbar supports showed little to no benefit or very uncertain effects, with the possible exception of a small short-term reduction in pain intensity when added to pain medications such as ibuprofen. However, the authors remain cautious about any conclusions from these small, imprecise trials and have rated the overall quality of evidence as very low.
“Lumbar supports are widely used in clinical practice despite the fact we know virtually nothing about their effectiveness,” says Dr Chiara Arienti, lead author from Humanitas University. “Drawing from a very thin research base, we still don’t have enough evidence to make broad recommendations for or against their use.”
No side effects were found across the trials. However, this may reflect missing or underreported data rather than an absence of harm. Nevertheless, the authors consider this finding to be consistent with their clinical experience.