Adapted exercises versus general exercise recommendations on chronic low back pain in industrial workers: A randomized control pilot study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Exercise has been demonstrated as effective for the treatment of low back pain (LBP) in workers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an exercise program adapted to the characteristics of the workplace is a useful supplement to general exercise recommendations in assembly line workers with chronic LBP. METHODS: Workers were randomly assigned to intervention group-adapted exercises plus general exercise recommendations (n = 10), and control group-general exercise recommendations (n = 8). Both received 8-week exercise program through a mobile application (APP) to manage the intervention. Outcome was based on lumbar disability (Oswestry Disability Index), interference and lumbar pain intensity (Brief Pain Inventory), and kinematic parameters. RESULTS: Significant differences were obtained for the intervention group in the “pain interference” variable, in the “mood” and “enjoyment” sub-variables, as well as in “flexion angle” variable. For the control group, significant differences occurred in the “pain intensity” variable. Adapted exercise plus general recommendations seems more effective than the general recommendations for the improvement of lumbar flexion. CONCLUSIONS: An adapted exercise program for assembly line workers with chronic LBP could be an effective treatment. Future studies are recommended with a larger sample size and with an exhaustive control of the exercise adherence are required to confirm the findings of this pilot study.

Indexes for motor performance assessment in job integration/reintegration of people with neuromuscular disorders: A systematic review

“…A total of eight studies dealt with subjects with low back pain (LBP) ( 46 , 49 , 52 , 53 , 56 , 58 – 60 ), two studies considered subjects who have survived stroke (SS) ( 50 , 55 ), one study considered subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) ( 48 ), three subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) ( 51 , 52 , 57 ), and finally, two addressed healthy subjects (HS) ( 47 , 54 ).…”

“…In total, 41 different kinematic ( 46 – 55 , 57 , 60 ), 12 kinetic ( 51 , 53 , 54 , 57 ), 5 sEMG ( 46 , 56 , 59 , 60 ), 3 postural ( 55 , 57 ), and 4 other indexes ( 47 , 49 , 50 ) were investigated (see Tables 1 , 2 ).…”

“…In 13 studies, five on LBP ( 46 , 49 , 52 , 53 , 60 ), two on SS ( 50 , 55 ), one on MS ( 48 ), three on SCI ( 51 , 52 , 57 ), and two on HS ( 47 , 54 ), 31 kinematic indexes were reported as useful for motor performance assessment ( Table 2 ). More in detail, with regard to the gait: velocity ( 46 , 48 , 54 ), number of steps ( 55 ), gait duration ( 55 ), cadence ( 46 ), step length ( 46 ), step time ( 46 ), single support time ( 46 ), stride length ( 48 ), and phase coordination index ( 48 ).…”

“…More in detail, with regard to the gait: velocity ( 46 , 48 , 54 ), number of steps ( 55 ), gait duration ( 55 ), cadence ( 46 ), step length ( 46 ), step time ( 46 ), single support time ( 46 ), stride length ( 48 ), and phase coordination index ( 48 ). With regard to other motor tasks, different from gait: limb-use intensity ( 47 ), flexion angle ( 49 ), bending/flexion speed ( 49 ), peak reach velocity ( 50 ), reach time ( 50 ), contact velocity ( 50 ), peak aperture ( 50 ), peak grip force ( 50 ), fingers range of motion ( 51 ), movement duration ( 52 ), hand peak velocity ( 52 ), torso peak velocity ( 52 ), time at torso peak velocity ( 52 ), shoulder-to-hand distance at hand peak velocity ( 52 ), precedence index ( 52 ), lumbar ROM ( 53 ), Schober's flexion ( 53 ), neck flexion/extension ( 54 ), shoulder external rotation ( 54 ), hip flexion, internal/external rotation ( 54 ), knee flexion/extension ( 54 ), virtual time to contact (VTC) ( 57 ), and maximum angular displacement ( 60 ).…”

“…Regarding the gait: velocity ( 55 ), single support time ( 48 ), stance ( 48 ), swing ( 48 ), double support time ( 48 ), and walk distance ( 54 ). In other tasks: bending/flexion speed ( 49 ), torso travel distance ( 52 ), hand travel distance ( 52 ), time at hand peak velocity ( 52 ), shoulder internal rotation ( 54 ), ankle plantar/dorsi flexion ( 54 ), and functional boundary ( 57 ).…”