The authors determined that no pooled analyses were possible, and presented their results appropriately in tabular form. Outcomes measured The measure of interest for this review was presence or absence of statistically significant differences between treatment groups in the studies identified. There were a total of 64 outcomes reported in the included studies. These were classified as better with bed rest or worse with bed rest. In the 24 trials of bed rest as prophylaxis after procedures there were 7 outcomes that were better with bed rest, none significantly so.
Bed rest has yet to be proven beneficial as a therapeutic intervention for any condition.
Bed rest should not be prescribed after LP or spinal anesthesia, or for treatment of acute low back pain, MI, pulmonary tuberculosis, acute infectious hepatitis, or management of first stage of labor. For other conditions, we should not assume that bed rest, beyond that imposed by symptoms, is beneficial treatment without evidence from clinical trials. Appropriate indications for bed rest as primary therapy have yet to be defined.