ObjectiveTreatment mechanisms for Exercise, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) are broadly theorised and examined in basic science studies, however they are not typically incorporated in the design of Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) for low back pain (LBP).The overall aim of this study is to answer the question, 'what is the role of mechanisms and goal of treatment in RCTs for LBP?' Specifically, the objective is to answer: 1) How many RCTs of LBP consider an intervention-specific mechanism?2) Are these mechanisms incorporated in their study design (i.e.inclusion criteria)?; 3) Is an outcome measure aligned to the proposed mechanism measured at follow-up?; and, 4) Do RCTs which describe a mechanism for the intervention, and include this in the design (i.e. the inclusion criteria and outcome measures) of the study, demonstrate a different/stronger intervention effect compared to those that do not?The same line of questioning applies to goal of treatment.
Versloot et al. (Fri,) studied this question.