Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health
Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv,
Israel | The Department of Epidemiology, Sackler Faculty of
Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. Navah Ratzon, School of Health
Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv
69978, Israel. Tel.: +972 3 6405443; Fax: +972 3 6409933; E-mail:
navah@post.tau.ac.il
Abstract: Background: Low back pain (LBP) is common in nurses, but it is
unclear if the pain is associated with measurements of postural control.
Objective measurements of function might be useful in the evaluation of
patients with LBP in order to evaluate and predict disability, and in the study
of the pathophysiology of chronic LBP. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we measured the number of
postural adjustments, and degree of posterior-lateral sway in 81 nurses, using
a computerized postural sway four-platter measurement system. Results: There were 41 (56.6%) nurses who complained of LBP at the
time of testing, and another 12 (14.8%) with a past history of LBP. Nurses with
LBP consistently used more postural adjustments to keep their balance
(p<0.003), and in some positions postural adjustments were positively
associated with the degree of past and present pain. LBP was not significantly
associated with the degree of lateral sway. Conclusions: Nurses either with present or a past history of LBP
use an increased number of postural adjustments to maintain balance. Studies
are warranted to determine if postural testing can predict the development of
LBP or aid in determining appropriate preventive measures.
Keywords: Low back pain, posture, sway, nurses, adjustments
