BACKGROUND: Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training (SR-WBV) was tested to reduce work-related musculoskeletal complaints. METHODS: Participants were 54 white-collar employees of a Swiss organization. The controlled crossover design comprised two groups each given 4 weeks of exercise and no training during a second 4-week period. Outcome was daily musculoskeletal well-being, musculoskeletal pain, and surefootedness. In addition, participants performed a behavioral test on body balance prior to when SR-WBV started and after 4 weeks of SR-WBV. RESULTS: Across the 4-week training period, musculoskeletal well-being and surefootedness were significantly increased (p < 0.05), whereas musculoskeletal pain was significantly reduced only in those who reported low back pain during the last 4 weeks prior to the study (p < 0.05). Body balance was significantly increased by SR-WBV (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SR-WBV seems to be an efficient option in primary prevention of musculoskeletal complaints and falls at work.
Cross-Over Studies ; Low Back Pain ; Musculoskeletal Pain ; Musculoskeletal System ; Occupational Health ; Primary Prevention ; Vibration* ; Workplace*

BACKGROUNDSeated workplaces have greatly increased in China. Many researchers have found that seated work is a risk factor in the development of low-back pain. Backrest can reduce the load on the lower back by transmitting more of the weight from the upper body to the floor via the backrest so as to prevent low-back pain. To design a suitable chair backrest for seated office work, some backrest parameters must be optimized. In this study, the role of backrest density on lumbar load and comfort were investigated. The goal of the study was to help establish criteria with which backrests that alleviate and prevent low back pain during seated office work can be designed and selected.

METHODSTwenty volunteers (10 men and 10 women) were seated in three backrest conditions (10 kg/m(3), 25 kg/m(3), and 40 kg/m(3)). Pressure data, including contact pressure (CP), peak contact pressure (PCP) and contact area were collected during 15-minute trial. Subjective data were collected after each pressure test.

RESULTSBackrest density had a significant effect on backrest pressure variables. CP and PCP increased with increasing backrest density. Contact area decreased with increased density. In terms of user preference, the backrest with low density was most highly rated.

CONCLUSIONSBackrest density plays an important role in lumbar load and comfort during seated work. During designing and selecting backrests, backrest density should be focused on so as to alleviate and prevent low-back pain during seated office work. Backrest density at 10 kg/m(3) got the lowest CP and PCP and largest contact area. Backrest with low density can reduce lumbar pressure and increase support contact area, which could raise comfort feeling. Backrest density at 10 kg/m(3) is better to maintain a balance between providing effective support and alleviating excess lordosis.

Back Injuries ; prevention & control ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Humans ; Interior Design and Furnishings ; Low Back Pain ; prevention & control ; Male ; Regression Analysis

According to human biomechanics the ideal static equilibrium model of stooped human body was built, based on which a wearable stoop-assist device (WSAD) as an intervention to reduce the load on the erector spinae was developed. Electromyography (EMG) experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the WSAD. Results showed that the integrated EMG of the thoracic erector spinae (TES), the lumbar erector spinae (LES), the latissimus dorsi (LD) and the rectus abdominis (RA) were reduced by 43%, 48%, 32% and 14% respectively, when Sagittal trunk bent forward to 90 degrees from the vertical. Therefore, by reducing back erector spinae activity, the WSAD could reduce the incidence of developing LBP for those who adopt the prolonged stooped posture in work.
Humans ; Incidence ; Low Back Pain ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Posture ; Protective Devices

BACKGROUND: Core muscle functional strength training (CMFST) has been reported to reduce injuries to the lower extremity. However, no study has confirmed whether CMFST can reduce the risk of low back pain (LBP). OBJECTIVE: This study identified the effects of CMFST on the incidence of LBP in military recruits. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION: We performed a prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled study in a population of young healthy male naval recruits from a Chinese basic combat training program. Participants were randomly assigned to either the core group or the control group. In additional to normal basic combat training, recruits in the core group underwent a CMFST program for 12 weeks, while recruits in the control group received no extra training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At the beginning of the study and at the 12th week, the number of participants with LBP was counted, and lumbar muscle endurance was measured. In addition, when participants complained of LBP, they were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). RESULTS: A total of 588 participants were included in the final analysis (295 in the core group and 293 in the control group). The incidence of LBP in the control group was about twice that of the core group over the 12-week study (20.8% vs 10.8%, odds ratio: 2.161-2.159, P < 0.001). The core group had better lumbar muscle endurance at 12 weeks than the control group ([200.80 ± 92.98] s vs [147.00 ± 84.51] s, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in VAS score between groups, but the core group had a significantly lower RMDQ score at week 12 than the control group (3.33 ± 0.58 vs 5.47 ± 4.41, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that the CMFST effectively reduced the incidence of LBP, improved lumbar muscle endurance, and relieved the dysfunction of LBP during basic military training.
Humans ; Low Back Pain/prevention & control* ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Muscles ; Prospective Studies ; Resistance Training ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of lower back pain of truck drivers in plateau areas with an analysis of the causes and evaluated the effects of the protective measures.

METHODSThe self-reported lower back symptom was investigated by questionnaire in 1,132 male drivers in plateau areas. Vibration of the driver lumbar back was measured real time with or without wearing corset. Study the effect of the special corset for drivers and the massage on back by self-control design of big sample intervention experiments.

RESULTSThe prevalence of lower back pain of drivers in plateau areas was 86.1%. High level of its prevalence is due to many factors. Special corset for drivers and massage on back by themselves can reduce the degree of the pain.

CONCLUSIONDriving in plateau areas is a special occupational work with high level of prevalence of lower back pain which can be prevented.

Automobile Driving ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; epidemiology ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVEThis paper discusses the necessary factors keeping normal spine curve and body pressure uniform distribution in sitting posture based on analysis sitting posture of low back pain and long time sitting persons. The purpose is to correct the sitting posture and prevention low back pain by changing the curves of the chair and material.

METHODS16 patients with low back pain were equally divided into research group and control group. The patients in research group accepted the rehabilitation chair, and other patients in control group accepted the chair same to before. JOA score were used as effect measures in both groups.

RESULTSThe differences were statistically significant (P < 0.005) comparison of control group after 6 months.

CONCLUSIONSThe rehabilitation chair is in accord with the body biomechanics, and has significant meaning for preventing low back pain.

Adult ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Interior Design and Furnishings ; Low Back Pain ; prevention & control ; rehabilitation ; Middle Aged ; Posture ; Rehabilitation ; instrumentation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ergonomic risk factors associated with manual lifting tasks using surface electromyography (EMG). 13 volunteers lifted loads of 6 and 13 kg at two speeds and at two horizontal distances in 3 different postures and three boxes of different sizes, from floor to knuckle height, performing 72 lifting tasks. For each lift, the surface electromyography signals from the erector spinae muscles, bilaterally at T10 and L3, was recorded. The ergonomic risk factors associated with manual lifting tasks were evaluated by comparing the average amplitude of EMG signals from the erector spinae muscles. The EMG average amplitude for lifting the load of 13 kg was 14.3% greater than that for lifting the load of 6 kg (t=-10.93, P<0.01). The EMG average amplitude at the site of L3 was 10.3% greater than that at the site of T10 (t=-7.98, P<0.01). The EMG average amplitude when performing "fast" lift was 5.9% greater than the "slow" lift (t=-4.63, P<0.01). The posture of lifting affected the EMG average amplitude. It was lowest with semi-squat posture and greatest with squat posture (F=27.76, P<0.01). The result of multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the loads of lifting, the size of box, horizontal distance, posture of lifting, the site of the spine subjected to force, lifting speed were the factors affecting the EMG average amplitude. The most significant factor was the loads of lifting, followed by the site of the spine subjected to force and the lifting speed in terms of risk. The ergonomic risk factors associated with manual lifting tasks includes the loads, posture, lifting speed, horizontal distance, the site of the spine subjected to force etc. The results of signal amplitude of EMG from the erector spinae muscles showed that semi-squat posture is the best posture for lifting tasks.
Adult ; Back ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; prevention & control ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; injuries ; physiology ; Physical Exertion ; physiology ; Posture ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Weight-Bearing

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ergonomic risk factors associated with manual lifting tasks using surface electromyography (EMG). 13 volunteers lifted loads of 6 and 13 kg at two speeds and at two horizontal distances in 3 different postures and three boxes of different sizes, from floor to knuckle height, performing 72 lifting tasks. For each lift, the surface electromyography signals from the erector spinae muscles, bilaterally at T10 and L3, was recorded. The ergonomic risk factors associated with manual lifting tasks were evaluated by comparing the average amplitude of EMG signals from the erector spinae muscles. The EMG average amplitude for lifting the load of 13 kg was 14.3% greater than that for lifting the load of 6 kg (t=-10.93, P<0.01). The EMG average amplitude at the site of L3 was 10.3% greater than that at the site of T10 (t=-7.98, P<0.01). The EMG average amplitude when performing "fast" lift was 5.9% greater than the "slow" lift (t=-4.63, P<0.01). The posture of lifting affected the EMG average amplitude. It was lowest with semi-squat posture and greatest with squat posture (F=27.76, P<0.01). The result of multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the loads of lifting, the size of box, horizontal distance, posture of lifting, the site of the spine subjected to force, lifting speed were the factors affecting the EMG average amplitude. The most significant factor was the loads of lifting, followed by the site of the spine subjected to force and the lifting speed in terms of risk. The ergonomic risk factors associated with manual lifting tasks includes the loads, posture, lifting speed, horizontal distance, the site of the spine subjected to force etc. The results of signal amplitude of EMG from the erector spinae muscles showed that semi-squat posture is the best posture for lifting tasks.
Back ; Electromyography ; Exertion/physiology ; Low Back Pain/*prevention & control ; Muscle, Skeletal/injuries ; Muscle, Skeletal/*physiology ; Posture ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Weight-Bearing

The use of opioids for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain has become more widespread recently. Available data support the short-term use of opioids in clearly defined nociceptive and neuropathic pain states. Their use in 'pathological' pain states without a clear diagnosis, such as chronic low back pain, is more contentious. A decision to initiate opioid treatment in these conditions requires careful consideration of benefits and risks; the latter include not only commonly considered adverse effects such as constipation, but also opioid-induced hyperalgesia, abuse, addiction and diversion. Ideally, treatment goals should not only be relief of pain, but also improvement of function. Opioid treatment of chronic non-cancer pain requires informed consent by, and preferably a treatment contract with, the patient. Treatment should be initiated by a trial period with defined endpoints using slow-release or transdermal opioids. Ongoing management of the patient requires ideally a multi-disciplinary setting. Treatment should not be regarded as life-long and can be discontinued by tapering the dose.
Analgesics, Opioid ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; chemically induced ; Low Back Pain ; drug therapy ; Pain, Intractable ; drug therapy ; Substance-Related Disorders ; prevention & control

Pushing and pulling (P&P) is a common operating mode of operator's physical works, and plays an important role in evaluation of human behavior health and operation performance. At present, there are many research methods of P&P, and this article is a state-of-art review of the classification of P&P research methods, the various impact factors in P&P program, technical details of internal/external P&P force measurement and evaluation, the limitation of current research methods and the future developments in the ergonomics field.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Ergonomics ; methods ; Hand Strength ; physiology ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; prevention & control ; Physical Exertion ; Posture ; physiology ; Task Performance and Analysis ; Weight-Bearing ; physiology