The impact of continuous use of lumbosacral orthoses on trunk motor performance: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract Background Context The lumbosacral orthosis (LSO) is prescribed by general practitioners for the management of low back pain. It may be speculated that continuous use of the LSO for a prolonged period reduces mechanical loading to the trunk muscle in daily living and results in impairments of the trunk muscle. Purpose To investigate whether the trunk motor performances are impaired by continuous use of the lumbosacral orthosis. Study Design/Setting Systematic review with meta-analysis. Methods Systematic search in the PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Cochrane library, from inception to November 2016. Inclusion criteria were: 1) the use of the LSO for ≥2 days; 2) the use of a soft LSO designed for musculoskeletal conditions; 3) no co-intervention except education; and 4) measures of trunk motor performance. The following studies were excluded: 1) studies with insufficient data; and 2) studies with poor methodological quality (