Affiliations: [a] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (REVAKI), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium | [b] International Research Group Pain In Motion, www.paininmotion.be | [c] Department of Human Physiology and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium | [d] Occupational Therapy, Department of Health, AP University College, Antwerp, Belgium | [e] Department of Movement Education and Sports Training, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium | [f] Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital Brussels, Belgium
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Nathalie A. Roussel, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. Tel.: +32 3 821 46 99; Fax: +32 3 265 25 01; E-mail:nathalie.roussel@uantwerpen.be
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Hospital workers with physically demanding jobs are at risk for
developing recurrent LBP. There is a lack of studies evaluating
multidisciplinary prevention of low back pain (LBP) in hospital workers. OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effect of a
multidisciplinary prevention program, focusing on a client-centred approach,
on hospital workers at risk for developing LBP. METHODS: Caregiving hospital workers were allocated to an experimental
(12-week lasting multidisciplinary prevention program) or control group (no
intervention). They were evaluated prior to the intervention and after a 6 months follow-up period. Primary outcome measures included incidence of LBP,
work absenteeism and general health. Secondary outcomes included daily
physical activity, job satisfaction and coping strategies. RESULTS: A significant improvement was seen for passive coping after 6 months follow-up, but no significant differences were observed between
groups in primary or other secondary outcome measures (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary prevention program fitting into a
bio-psychosocial context may not have been intensive enough to promote a
change in daily habitudes, and had no effect on work absenteeism, incidence
of LBP or general health. Further research should determine whether
prevention of LBP is possible in caregiving personnel.
Keywords: Pain, therapy, primary prevention, occupational disability, behaviour, health promotion, health care sector
