Effect of high-intensity interval training in patients with back pain: a systematic review

Back pain has become the most common disabling condition that increases the burden of the healthcare sector despite the various treatments and healthcare resources devoted to back pain. The current review clarifies the effects of high-intensity interval training on back pain. A systematic search using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and ERIC databases was done up to March 2023. Studies included in the meta-analysis if the study is a control/clinical trial, has full text available in the English language, has samples with back pain, and has high-intensity interval training as a treatment protocol, including outcome measures of pain, disability, function/activity level, exercise capacity, and abdominal and back muscle strength. Unpublished research papers, conference articles, dissertations, and theses met the exclusion criteria. Studies that included participants with back pain caused by particular diseases or disorders were not eligible. Out of the 14,943 records that were initially found, only 4 articles (PEDro score = 6 to 8) were found to be eligible. It was found that there are small to larger effect sizes in improving pain, disability, ability to exercise, physical functions, and strength of the back and abdominal muscles. It has been observed that high-intensity interval training improves a number of back pain-related symptoms, making it a useful treatment plan for people with back pain.