Telles et al., 200917
|
291 professional computer users |
Intervention (n=146): yoga program Control (n=145): usual recreational activities |
2 months |
Musculoskeletal discomfort and low back flexibility |
Musculoskeletal disorders were assessed with the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire; flexibility testing |
Group intervention exhibited significant reduction of musculoskeletal discomfort (p<0.01) and improved low back flexibility (p<0.001) |
5/10 |
Kamioka et al., 201118
|
88 female caregivers in nursing homes |
Intervention (n=44): stretching exercises based on the MacKenzie method and orientation on posture Control (n=44): orientation on exercise |
12 weeks |
Low back pain |
Low back pain was assessed on Visual Analogue Scale (VAN) |
Improvement in intervention group was not significant; no changes on VAS. However, the control group exhibited higher scores (p=0.068) |
5/10 |
Del Pozo-Cruz et al., 201219
|
100 office workers |
Intervention (n=50): physical training program combined with orientation on posture by means of online videos Control (n=50): orientation per e-mail |
9 months |
Low back pain |
Low back pain episodes; functional disability by means of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire
|
The scores on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire improved for the intervention group (95%CI -8.41--6.31) and became poorer for the control group (95%CI 0.71-2.65) |
7/10 |
Alexandre et al., 200120
|
56 nursing professionals |
Intervention (n=27): strength and flexibility exercising program combined with educational program for posture Control (n=29): lecture on spine anatomy and patient transfer techniques |
4 months |
Backache |
Low back pain was assessed with a pain intensity VAS. Use of medications and frequency of backache were assessed through a questionnaire |
Reduced use of medications (p=0.0002), frequency of pain in home activities (p=0.000) and pain intensity (p=0.008) in group intervention |
4/10 |
Pillastrini et al., 200921
|
71 nursery school teachers |
Intervention (n=35): program to reinforce lumbar extension and strengthen the primary stabilizers of the spine + orientation on low back pain Control (n=36): ergonomic brochure |
3 weeks |
Neck and low back pain |
Physical ability was measured by means of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Index. Pain intensity was assessed with VAS |
Significant improvement of neck pain (p=0.0246), perceived pain on VAS (62.9%) and physical capacity (37.2%) in group intervention |
8/10 |
Horneij et al., 200122
|
282 nursing aides and assistant nurses |
Intervention 1 (n=90): individual physical training program Intervention 2 (n=93): group stress management program Control (n=99): orientation on environment changes and health |
18 months |
Backache and interference with work |
Musculoskeletal disorders were assessed with the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire |
Group intervention 1 reported less interference of spine discomfort (especially on the low back area) with work compared to the control group (p=0.02). Group intervention 2 did not exhibit any difference compared to the control group (p=0.057) |
4/10 |
Anema et al., 200723
|
196 workers |
Intervention 1 (n=96): workplace assessment and changes and case management Intervention 2 (n=100): orientation on usual care |
8 weeks |
Return to work and functional status |
Workplace assessment and length of sick leaves. Functional status was assessed through a questionnaire |
Intervention 1 was associated with better return-to-work outcomes and improved functional status compared to intervention 2 (HR=1,7; 95%CI 1.2-2.3; p=0.002). |
7/10 |
Ewert et al., 200924
|
169 nurses |
Intervention 1 (n=86): warming up, strengthening, stretching and aerobic exercises Intervention 2 (n=83): segmental stabilization exercises, psychological and ergonomic orientation |
13 weeks |
Backache and interference with work |
Pain interference and intensity were measured by means of the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory and Short Form-36 |
There was not any statistically significant difference between the groups. Both programs had small to moderate effects. For pain interference, the effect size of intervention 1 was 0.58 and 0.47 for intervention 2 |
6/10 |
Nassif et al., 201125
|
75 workers |
Intervention (n=37): muscle strength, flexibility and endurance training sessions Control (n=38): no direct intervention |
6 months |
Low back pain and flexibility |
Pain-related parameters were assessed by means of questionnaires and scales. Pain intensity was assessed on VAS. Physical assessment based on tests |
Reduction of pain-related parameters (p<0.025) and pain intensity in group intervention compared to the control group (1.8 vs. 0.51) and improved flexibility (p<0.0001) |
4/10 |
Elfering et al., 201326
|
54 office workers |
Intervention (n=27): vibration training Control (n=27): same training starting 4 weeks later |
4 weeks |
Musculoskeletal pain and body balance |
Musculoskeletal pain was assessed with the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Body balance was assessed by means of the clinical test of sensory integration of balance (CTSIB) |
Musculoskeletal pain significantly decreased among the participants who reported low back pain (p<0.05). Body balance was significantly increased (p<0.05) |
5/10 |
Jakobsen et al., 201527
|
200 healthcare workers from 3 hospitals |
Intervention (n=111): supervised high-intensity strength training with resistance bands and kettlebells at the workplace Control (n=89): exercise at home during leisure time |
10 weeks |
Musculoskeletal pain, muscle strength and use of analgesics |
Pain was assessed on VAS. Pain areas were defined based on the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Muscle strength testing. Use of analgesics was assessed through a questionnaire |
Pain intensity, back muscle strength and use of analgesics improved in group intervention (p<0.05). Difference between groups was -0.7 for pain intensity (95%CI -0.1--0.3), 5.5 for back muscle strength (95%CI 2.0-9.0) and -0.4 days for use of analgesics (85%CI -0.7-0.2) |
7/10 |
Mayer et al., 201528
|
96 firefighters |
Intervention (n=54): supervised exercise targeting the back and core muscles while on duty in addition to usual physical activity Control (n=42): usual physical activity |
24 weeks |
Low back pain, muscle strength and endurance |
Muscle strength and resistance were assessed by means of the Biering-Sorensen and plank tests |
Group intervention had 12% greater (p=0.021) back muscle endurance and 21% greater (p=0.0006) core muscle endurance compared to the control group |
7/10 |
Kim et al., 201529
|
53 workers |
Intervention (n=27): core muscle strengthening program (CORE) Control (n=26): hot-packs and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation |
2 months |
Musculoskeletal pain, range of motion and proprioception |
Resting and movement-induced pain were assessed on VAS. Pressure pain was assessed with pressure algometer. Active range of pain-free motion was assessed with inclinometer. Proprioception assessment |
The intensity of resting (35.6±5.9 mm) and movement-induced (39.4-9.1 mm) pain significantly decreased in group intervention. Significant improvement of the pressure pain threshold (quadratus lumborum: 2.2±0.7 kg/cm2), active range of motion and proprioception (p<0.05) |
5/10 |
Brandt et al., 201530
|
13 US Airforce helicopter crewmembers |
Intervention (n=6): core strengthening exercises Control (n=7): usual exercising regimen |
12 weeks |
In-flight low back pain and functional disability |
Self-reported pain severity and disability were assessed with Numerical Pain Rating Scale - NPRS and the Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index (MODI) |
The average score on NPRS significantly decreased in group intervention and increased in the control group (-1.8 vs. +0.1 points). The mean score on MODI significantly decreased in group intervention and increased in the control group (-4.8 vs. +1.7 points) |
4/10 |
Macedo, 201131
|
50 workers |
Intervention (n=29): workplace fitness program with emphasis on stretching, relaxation and ludic activities Control (n=21): did not participate in the fitness program |
8 months |
Musculoskeletal pain |
Pain topography was assessed with the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Pain intensity was assessed with VAS |
Group intervention exhibited significant low back pain improvement (p=0.001) |
5/10 |