Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem. Preliminary data suggest that LBP increases throughout the workday for sedentary, desk-bound employees. PURPOSE: The Stand Back randomized trial evaluated whether an intervention targeting reduced prolonged sitting could decrease pain in desk workers with chronic LBP. METHODS: The study recruited individuals with chronic LBP, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) > 10%, and desk jobs (sitting ≥20 hr/wk). Participants in the intervention received behavioral counselling with an initial in-person visit followed by monthly telephone calls. They also received a sit-stand desk attachment with a goal to stand for 2 hr each day and an activity-prompting device set to vibrate after 30 min of inactivity. Goals were individually tailored and progressed during monthly contacts based on participant response. LBP was measured using the ODI. Sitting time (work and all day) was assessed by self-report. Outcomes were compared across intervention groups using paired t tests and linear mixed models. RESULTS: In completers (n=25 of n=27 enrolled), baseline mean (SD) age was 49 (11) years, 76% were female, and ODI was 23.9 (2.1) %. Sitting time at baseline was 6.9 (1.1) hr during work and 10.2 (1.6) hr all day. At 3 months, sitting time significantly decreased in intervention (n=13) vs. control (n=12) both during work [-2.0 (1.3) vs. -0.5 (1.2) hr, p=0.007] and all day [-2.5 (1.7) vs. -1.1 (1.6) hr, p=0.045]. Across months 1-3, the average decrease in ODI from baseline was significantly greater in intervention vs. control (difference between groups of -7.9 %, of p=0.007) (Figure). At 3 months, the decrease in ODI was -10.6 (8.7) % in intervention vs. -1.0 (10.4) % in control (p=0.020). CONCLUSION: An intervention targeting sedentary behavior in desk-bound employees with chronic LBP was effective in reducing sitting time and low back pain/disability. Studies are needed to examine longer term effects of sedentary behavior interventions in chronic LBP.Figure
Published Version
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