Evidence synthesis showed limited evidence supporting poor baseline transversus abdominis contraction thickness ratio as a treatment effect modifier favoring motor control exercise .
Limited evidence supported that high baseline transversus abdominis lateral slide was associated with higher pain intensity after various exercise interventions at 1-year follow-up .
However , there was limited evidence for the absence of relation between the contraction thickness ratio of transversus abdominis or anticipatory onset of lateral abdominal muscles at baseline and the short- or long-term LBP intensity after exercise interventions .
There was conflicting evidence for a relation between baseline percent thickness change of lumbar multifidus during contraction and the clinical outcomes of patients after various conservative treatments .
Although individual reports suggest that baseline morphometry or activity of transversus abdominis or lumbar multifidus predict clinical outcome of low back pain ( LBP ) , a related systematic review is unavailable .
Therefore , this review summarized evidence regarding the predictive value of these muscular characteristics .
High Fear-Avoiders of Physical Activity Benefit From an Exercise Program for Patients With Back Pain
Study Design . A subgroup analysis of patient outcomes from a r and omized controlled trial comparing a Back to Fitness program with usual general practitioner care . Objectives . To test whether patients with high scores on measures of fear-avoidance and distress/depression  benefit the most . Summary of Background Data . A fitness program , ongoing since the 1980s , was developed for use in the community and has been shown to be effective in reducing disability . Detailed analyses are needed to identify patient groups who benefit . Recent evidence points to the potentially important role of fear , distress , and depression . Method . Data from 98 patients allocated to normal general practitioner care and 89 patients allocated to a group exercise program  were analyzed after categorizing baseline scores on fear-avoidance beliefs ( high/low ) and distress/depression ( at risk/normal ) . The main outcome measure was the Rol and Disability Question naire . Outcomes were compared between the intervention and control groups at 6 weeks , 6 months , and 12 months . Results . High fear-avoiders fared significantly better in the exercise program than in usual general practitioner care at 6 weeks and at 1 year . Low fear-avoiders did not . Patients who were distressed or depressed were significantly better off at 6 weeks , but the benefits were not maintained long-term . Conclusion . Patients with high levels of fear-avoidance beliefs could significantly benefit from the Back to Fitness program . The benefits of the exercise program for patients with high levels of distress/depression  appear to be short-term only . Average attendance was only 4 to 5 classes , which may not be sufficient for more recalcitrant cases . Further research is indicated
Evidence synthesis showed limited evidence supporting poor baseline transversus abdominis contraction thickness ratio as a treatment effect modifier favoring motor control exercise .
Limited evidence supported that high baseline transversus abdominis lateral slide was associated with higher pain intensity after various exercise interventions at 1-year follow-up .
However , there was limited evidence for the absence of relation between the contraction thickness ratio of transversus abdominis or anticipatory onset of lateral abdominal muscles at baseline and the short- or long-term LBP intensity after exercise interventions .
There was conflicting evidence for a relation between baseline percent thickness change of lumbar multifidus during contraction and the clinical outcomes of patients after various conservative treatments .
Although individual reports suggest that baseline morphometry or activity of transversus abdominis or lumbar multifidus predict clinical outcome of low back pain ( LBP ) , a related systematic review is unavailable .
Therefore , this review summarized evidence regarding the predictive value of these muscular characteristics .