Table 4 Per protocol analysis (participation > 70) of outcomes, estimated means and 95% confidence intervals from baseline to 8 and 16 weeks

 Current

2.9 (2.2–3.6)

1.9 (1.2–2.5)*

1.8 (1.1–2.4)*

0.81 (0.3–1.3)

 Worst last 2 weeks

6.5 (5.8–7.2)

3.9 (3.1–4.6)**

3.0 (2.3–3.8)**

2.1 (1.6–2.7)

 Worst last 4 weeks

6.7 (6.2–7.5)

4.3 (3.5–5.7)**

3.6 (2.8–4.3)**

2.0 (1.5–2.6)

 ODI (0–50)

8.4 (7.8–9.7)

7.3 (5.9–8.6)*

5.3 (3.9–6.6)*

1.1 (0.7–1.5)

 PSEQ (0–60)

49.1 (51.3–57.1)

54.2 (51.3–57.1)*

56.1 (53.2–59.6)*

1.1 (0.8–1.5)

 Squat strength (kg)

65.4 (55.8–75.0)

82.1 (72.5–91.7)**

100.4 (90.7–110.3)**

1.7 (1.6–1.9)

 Bench – press (kg)

54.7 (44.4–65.6)

62.4 (51.7–72.3)**

71.7 (61.4–82.1)**

0.8 (0.7–0.9)

 Deadlift (kg)

76.4 (66.5–86.8)

92.9 (82.4–103.3)**

104.7 (94.2–115.2)**

1.3 (1.0–1.5)

 Pendlay row (kg)

48.3 (41.9–55.7)

53.6 (46.3–61.0)**

60.5 (53.1–67.8)**

0.8 (0.7–0.9)