The Effect of NASM-based Corrective Exercise Interventions on Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objectives: This study aimed to synthesize the effects of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) corrective exercise continuum interventions on pain intensity in individuals with musculoskeletal pain syndromes (MSPS).  Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) framework and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD۴۲۰۲۶۱۴۳۹۴۵۸). PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to June ۳۰, ۲۰۲۶, with Google Scholar used as a supplementary source. Randomized controlled and quasi-experimental studies investigating interventions incorporating the NASM corrective exercise continuum in individuals with MSPS were eligible. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with ۹۵% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: Twelve studies (n=۳۸۲) were included in the quantitative synthesis. Overall, interventions incorporating the NASM corrective exercise continuum reduced pain compared with control interventions (SMD=۱.۰۵۷, ۹۵% CI, ۰.۷۹۴%, ۱.۳۱۹%; P<۰.۰۰۱). Considerable heterogeneity was observed (I²=۷۵%). Subgroup analyses demonstrated significant pain reduction for neck pain (SMD=۰.۹۰۴, ۹۵% CI, ۰.۵۸۶%, ۱.۲۲۱%; P<۰.۰۰۱) and shoulder pain (SMD=۱.۳۱۱, ۹۵% CI, ۰.۶۸۹%, ۱.۹۳۳%; P<۰.۰۰۱), whereas no significant effect was identified for back pain (SMD=۰.۶۹۱, ۹۵% CI, −۰.۶۲۱%, ۲.۰۰۳%; P=۰.۳۰۲). The included studies were generally of moderate-to-high methodological quality, and Egger’s regression test indicated no evidence of significant publication bias (P=۰.۴۲). Discussion: Interventions incorporating the NASM corrective exercise continuum appear to be an effective conservative intervention for reducing pain in individuals with MSPS, particularly those with neck and shoulder disorders. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized intervention protocols and longer follow-up periods are warranted to establish long-term effectiveness and identify patient populations most likely to benefit.

کلیدواژه ها:

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) ، Corrective exercise ، Pain ، Meta-analysis