Table 5 Trials of lumbar supports, stress management and multidimensional interventions.
| Study (IV score) | Methods | Subjects | Intervention | Outcomes | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumbar supports | |||||
| Allen and | RCT: random | 50 licensed practical | (1) Training in back belts, | Incident back | Reduced incidence of back |
| Wilder34 | allocation to | nurses working in | wearing belts when lifting, | injuries and | injuries, no analysis of lost |
| (4.5/6) | 2 groups. Follow‐ | hospital | 3‐h MH training; (2) 3‐h | total hours lost | work hours reported |
| up 6 months | MH training only | due to injury | |||
| Stress management | |||||
| Horneij | RCT: random | 282 female nursing | (1) Home exercise program; | LBP prevalence, | No significant differences for |
| et al27 | allocation to 3 | aides working in home | (2) stress reduction training | interference with | stress management program |
| (4.5/6) | groups. Follow‐up | care services | of 7×1.5 h plus 3‐ and 6‐month | activities, pain | |
| 12 and 18 months | follow‐up; (3) “live as usual” | drawing | |||
| Multidimensional interventions | |||||
| Alexandre | RCT: random | 56 female nursing aides | (1) Strength and flexibility | LBP frequency | Reduced LBP frequency (7‐ |
| et al37 | allocation to 2 | with back pain working | exercise, relaxation and MH | and intensity | day) (p = 0.07) and intensity |
| (3.5/6) | groups. Follow‐ | in hospital | education (1 h, 2×/week for | (7‐day and | (7‐day and 2‐month) |
| up 4 months | 4 months); (2) 45‐min lecture | 2‐month) | |||
| on anatomy and MH | |||||
| Linton | RCT: random | 66 female licensed practical | (1) 5×40 h/week residential | Daily LBP intensity, | Reduced LBP intensity |
| et al33 | allocation to 2 | nurses/nursing aides working | program (4 h exercise/day, | satisfaction with | (p = 0.01), greater satisfaction |
| (2.5/6) | groups. Follow‐up | in hospital who had taken | MH training, pain and lifestyle | ADL, days lost | with ADL post‐intervention |
| post‐intervention | sick leave for back pain in | management and risk | due to sick leave | (p<0.01), no significant | |
| and 6 months | previous 2 years | assessment); (2) waiting list | change in sick leave | ||
| Yassi | NCT: allocation to | 183 registered nurses | (1) Post injury program: physician, | LBP, disability, | Reduced LBP, disability, |
| et al21 | 2 groups based | working in hospital who | physiotherapy, occupational | back injuries and | back injuries, lost‐time back |
| (1.5/6) | on ward. Follow‐ | sustained an acute back | therapy if >4 days off work, | lost work time | injuries and total work time |
| up 6 months | injury during the study | modified duties; (2) routine care | lost (p<0.01) | ||
ADL, activities of daily living; IV, internal validity; MH, manual handling.