EFFECTS OF PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS ON PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the effects of physical therapy interventions on patients with chronic low back pain, focusing on key outcomes related to pain, functional capacity, mobility, flexibility, and quality of life. It is an integrative literature review conducted in six stages and guided by the PICo strategy. The search was performed in March 2026 in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) using keywords combined with the Boolean operator AND. A total of 101 studies were identified, five of which met the established inclusion criteria, following PRISMA guidelines. The results demonstrated favorable effects of physical therapy interventions on pain reduction, improved functional capacity, increased mobility and flexibility, and—in some studies—improvements in aspects related to quality of life. Prominent interventions included the Pilates method, segmental stabilization, kinesiotherapeutic exercises, and electrotherapy, particularly when used in combination. It is concluded that physical therapy interventions yield favorable results in the management of chronic low back pain, contributing to symptom reduction and improved functionality, although further research with greater methodological standardization is needed.