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Evidence summaries

Workplace Interventions to Prevent Low Back Pain

Exercise appears to be effective in the prevention of low back pain at workplaces. Level of evidence: "B"

A systematic review 1 including 13 RCTs with a total of 7 184 subjects was abstracted in DARE.

Braces (4 trials, n=1 095):

There was strong evidence that belts were ineffective in reducing the prevalence of LBP, severity of low back pain (LBP), and leave due to LBP.

Exercise (5 trials, n=474):

There was moderate evidence that exercise reduced LBP severity and leave due to LBP. There was limited evidence that exercise reduced the prevalence of LBP.

Education (6 trials, n=1 410):

There was moderate evidence that education was ineffective in reducing the prevalence of LBP, severity of LBP, and leave due to LBP.

Education and workplace modification (2 trials, n=4 205):

There was no evidence that education and workplace modification was ineffective in reducing prevalence of LBP, and leave due to LBP.

    References

    • Maher CG. A systematic review of workplace interventions to prevent low back pain. Aust J Physiother 2000;46(4):259-269. [PubMed][DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords