From Research to Rehab: The Science Behind Your Recovery

Folarin Babatunde PT PhD
Oct 8
3 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Exploring physiotherapy research made simple — evidence that empowers recovery and enhances care.

At Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center, we believe great care is grounded in great science. From Research to Rehab brings you concise, easy-to-read summaries of the latest studies, clinical insights, and innovations shaping modern physiotherapy. Whether you’re a patient seeking to understand the “why” behind your treatment or a clinician staying current with emerging evidence, this section translates research into practical knowledge that informs, inspires, and improves outcomes.

Patient engaging in active rehabilitation using medicine ball to improve spinal mobility and reduce disability from low back pain.

Cogent Rehab Blog

Folarin Babatunde PhD MScSEM, MScPT, BScPT

Focus - Exercise And Knee Osteoarthritis

Introduction

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. It often interferes with work, sleep, and daily function. A 2025 Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis has now provided high-level evidence showing that active physiotherapy—movement-based, exercise-driven rehabilitation—produces better pain and disability outcomes than passive or combined approaches in people with mechanical and non-specific chronic low back pain.

Reference

Baroncinic A, Maffulli N, Manocchio N, Bossa M, Foti C, Schafer L, Klimuch A, Migliorini F. Active and passive physical therapy in patients with chronic low-back pain: a level I Bayesian network meta-analysis. J Orthop Traumatol. 2025;26:66

Study Overview

Researchers analyzed 29 randomized controlled trials involving 2,768 adults (average age 47 years, BMI 25.8 kg/m²) with chronic low back pain persisting for more than three months.

Three physiotherapy categories were compared:

Active Physiotherapy: Patients perform guided exercises to restore mobility, strength, and control.
Passive Physiotherapy: Therapist-applied treatments such as massage, mobilization, taping, or heat/electrical stimulation.
Combined Approach: A mix of active and passive methods.

Outcomes were measured with validated tools:

Pain Scores (VAS/NRS)
Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ)
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

The average follow-up period was 6.2 months.

Key Findings

Active physiotherapy produced the best outcomes for both pain relief and functional recovery:

Pain: Active physiotherapy yielded the lowest pain scores (SMD 1.00; 95% CI −3.28 to 5.28), with no significant inconsistency (P = 0.8).
Disability (RMQ): Active therapy achieved the lowest RMQ score (SMD 0.94; 95% CI −4.96 to 3.09; P = 0.2).
Functional Limitation (ODI): Active therapy also showed the lowest ODI score (SMD −1.23; 95% CI −9.83 to 7.36; P = 0.6), indicating superior functional recovery compared with passive or combined treatments.

Together, these findings confirm that exercise-based physiotherapy leads to the most meaningful improvements in pain reduction and daily activity among people with chronic low back pain.

Why Active Physiotherapy Works Better for Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain is often linked to deconditioning of spinal and core muscles, loss of control, and reduced range of motion. Active therapy targets these underlying problems by:

Strengthening deep stabilizing muscles (e.g., multifidus and paraspinals)
Enhancing spinal mobility and postural control
Promoting independence and long-term self-management
Preventing further muscle wasting and fat infiltration

Passive therapies (manual therapy, heat, etc.) may help with short-term relief or flare-up management, but active participation is key to lasting improvement.

What This Means for Patients

For many people with chronic or mechanical low back pain:

Active physiotherapy should be the first-line approach.
Passive treatments can supplement early pain control, but they shouldn’t replace active movement-based care.
Current research shows that a personalized exercise plan guided by a physiotherapist offers the strongest evidence for long-term recovery.

How Cogent Rehab Applies This Evidence

At Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center (Burlington, ON), our approach to chronic back pain care reflects this leading research evidence. We combine:

Targeted exercise therapy and movement retraining
Manual techniques to improve mobility when needed
Patient education for posture, ergonomics, and self-care
Progressive load and functional training to restore independence

Our goal is to help every patient rebuild strength, reduce pain, and return to meaningful activity—guided by evidence, not guesswork.

The Importance of Personalized Care

Every individual’s experience with chronic low back pain is unique. That’s why personalized care is essential. We assess each patient’s specific needs and challenges. This tailored approach ensures that you receive the most effective treatment for your situation.

Staying Informed

Keeping up with the latest research is crucial for effective recovery. At Cogent, we prioritize ongoing education for our team. This commitment allows us to incorporate the latest findings into our practice. We want you to feel confident that you are receiving the best care possible.