Manual therapy showed no clear effect on central sensitization in chronic back pain
A review found an overall estimate close to zero, with uncertainty in both directions. A separate peripheral sensitization result was small and described as statistically significant.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The pooled evidence did not show a statistically clear effect of joint manual therapy on central sensitization in people with chronic low back pain. The estimate was close to zero, but its uncertainty means the review does not prove no effect. It also does not settle whether patients experienced meaningful pain relief.
The abstract omits participant numbers, comparator treatments, follow-up times and detailed quality assessments. This limits interpretation of the pooled estimate and whether its results apply to a particular treatment setting.
What researchers found
Overall effect on central sensitization
Pooled comparison groups and assessment times were not specified in the abstract. This standardized mean difference concerns sensitization measures, rather than a percentage change in pain.
What was measured
The review reported no statistically significant effects on pressure pain thresholds: measurements of how much pressure triggers pain. Other sensitization measures also showed no significant effects, leaving the proposed central effect uncertain.
A separate finding
The authors described a small, statistically significant effect on peripheral sensitization. That result concerns a different outcome and does not overturn the uncertain central sensitization finding or establish broader improvements in daily functioning.
The original publication
Efficacy of manual therapy on central sensitization in subjects with chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Tabatabaei A, Molaei F, Mangdow M et al.
J Bodyw Mov Ther · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40954646
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.