Table 3 Trials of exercise interventions.
| Study (IV score) | Methods | Subjects | Intervention | Outcomes | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise at work | |||||
| Gundewall | RCT: stratified then | 69 nurses/nursing | (1) 20‐min strength, endurance, | LBP intensity, number | Reduction of LBP |
| et al30 | random allocation | aides with and | coordination exercise (6 sessions/ | of days with LBP, lost | prevalence (p<0.02), LBP |
| (2.5/6) | to 2 groups. Follow‐ | without LBP work‐ | month for 13 months); (2) no | work days due to LBP | intensity (p<0.04) and lost |
| up 13 months | ing in hospital | intervention | work days (p<0.01) | ||
| Wigaeus | RCT: random | 131 nursing | All sessions 40 min, 2×/week for | LBP intensity | Unclear: Josephson et al26 |
| Hjelm | allocation to 3 | aides working | 6 months: (1) bicycle ergometer; | report no significant | |
| et al,25 | groups. Follow‐ | in hospital | (2) 3×15 repetitions on 7 | differences; Wigaeus Hjelm | |
| Josephson | up 6 months | equipments; (3) education in | et al25 report reduced LBP in (1) | ||
| et al26 | occupational health and stress | and (2) vs (3) in those with | |||
| (1.5/6) | management | LBP at baseline | |||
| Dehlin | NCT: allocation by | 46 female nursing | 2×/week for 8 weeks: | Frequency, intensity, | Reduction in LBP duration |
| et al28 | work building to 3 | aides with | (1) strengthening exercise; (2) 30‐ | duration of LBP and | in (1) vs (2). No other |
| (0/6) | groups. Follow‐up | LBP working | min lectures on medicine and | influence of LBP on | significant differences |
| 8 weeks | in hospital | nursing care; (3) no intervention | working capacity | ||
| Dehlin | NCT: allocation by | 45 female nursing | 2×/week for 8 weeks: (1) 45‐min | Frequency, intensity, | No significant differences |
| et al29 | work building to 3 | aides with LBP | endurance and aerobic exercise; | duration of LBP and | |
| (0/6) | groups. Follow‐up | working in | (2) manual handling training; | influence of LBP on | |
| 8 weeks | hospital | (3) no intervention | working capacity | ||
| Exercise at home | |||||
| Horneij | RCT: random | 282 female | (1) Posture, balance, endurance, | LBP prevalence, | No significant differences in |
| et al27 | allocation to 3 | nursing aides | functional, stretching and | interference with | LBP, but (1) had less activity |
| (4.5/6) | groups. Follow‐up | working in home‐ | cardiovascular exercises | activities, pain | interference compared with (3) |
| 12 and 18 months | care services | (suggested ⩾2×/week); (2) stress | drawing | at 12‐month follow‐up | |
| reduction training 7×1.5 h | |||||
| plus follow‐up; (3) “live as usual” | |||||
IV, internal validity.