Effects of a 12-week workplace counseling program on physical activity and low back pain: A pilot randomized controlled study.

Kazuhiro Shimo,Takahiro Ushida,Tomomi Hasegawa,Mami Hasegawa,Seiko Mizutani

doi:10.3233/bmr-200178

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is essential in the management and rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). However, it is not clear that PA interventions in the workplace can improve LBP. This study aimed to investigate the effects of workplace counseling on PA and LBP among workers. We recruited 37 people with 12 weeks of LBP who worked in a manufacturing company in Aichi, Japan. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n= 20) or control group (n= 17). All participants of both groups were affixed with waist-worn accelerometers to monitor PA. The intervention group also received a program of face-to-face counseling with a physical therapist or nurse once a week for 12 weeks to reassure and encourage participants to maintain a high level of PA. PA and LBP severity were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. PA was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group at 3 and 6 months. In the intervention group, PA significantly increased at 3 and 6 months from baseline, and LBP severity at 6 months improved significantly from baseline. Our data suggest that workplace PA intervention can increase PA and improve LBP among workers.

Highlights

Physical activity (PA) is essential in the management and rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP)
PA was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group at 3 and 6 months
Our data suggest that workplace PA intervention can increase PA and improve LBP among workers

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity (PA) is essential in the management and rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). It is not clear that PA interventions in the workplace can improve LBP. This study aimed to investigate the effects of workplace counseling on PA levels, and LBP and physical function among workers. Chronic low back pain (LBP) has a high prevalence and significant social impact.[1] In Japan, the lifetime prevalence of LBP is estimated at 83%, with nearly 10% of the population suffering from disabling LBP involving a workplace absence of ≥ 4 consecutive days.[2] The annual economic cost of chronic pain due to the lost opportunity to work is estimated at US$19.9 billion in Japan, where LBP is the most common type of chronic pain.[3] The prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain occurring in the low back is highest in people in their 30s to 50s, commonly known as the working generation.[4] more than half of the people with chronic musculoskeletal pain do not receive any form of treatment.[4] It seems apparent that many workers are suffering from LBP and would benefit from intervention

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