What Psychosocial and Physical Characteristics Differentiate Office Workers Who Develop Standing-Induced Low Back Pain? A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study examines demographic, physical and psychosocial factors associated with an increase in low back pain (LBP) during a one-hour standing task. A cross-sectional survey with 40 office workers was conducted. The primary outcome was pain severity during a one-hour standing task recorded every 15 min using a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Participants were defined as pain developers (PD), if they reported a change in pain of ≥10 mm from baseline, or non-pain developers (NPD). Physical outcomes included participant-rated and examiner-rated trunk and hip motor control and endurance. Self-report history of LBP, physical activity, psychosocial job characteristics, general health and pain catastrophising were collected. Fourteen participants were PD. Hip abduction, abdominal and spinal muscle endurance was lower for PD (p ≤ 0.05). PD had greater self-reported difficulty performing active hip abduction and active straight leg raise tests (p ≤ 0.04). Those reporting a lifetime, 12 month or 7-day history of LBP (p < 0.05) and lower self-reported physical function (p = 0.01) were more likely to develop LBP during the standing task. In conclusion, a history of LBP, reduced trunk and hip muscle endurance and deficits in lumbopelvic/hip motor control may be important to consider in office workers experiencing standing-induced LBP.

Study on the Associations of Individual and Work-Related Factors with Low Back Pain among Manufacturing Workers Based on Logistic Regression and Structural Equation Model

“…SEM was established in three stages. First, based on the epidemiological theory model and related risk factors, the initial SEM of LBP was constructed, consisting of the measurement model and the structure model [ 18 , 40 ]. In the hypothesis, latent variables such as postural load and observed variables such as vibration, gender, age, tenure, job types, education, monthly income, physical exercise, smoking and drinking behaviors might affect LBP directly, while latent variables such as job demand, social support, job control might affect LBP directly and indirectly through postural load.…”

“…Individual factors such as age, gender, tenure, anthropometric parameters, personal habits, etc. seem to pose risks for LBP [ 18 , 19 ]. The most commonly reported biomechanical risk factors with at least reasonable evidence for causing LBP include excessive repetition and awkward postures [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…The pathway and indirect effect of factors can be analyzed, and the pathogenesis of diseases can be explored. Therefore, SEM is increasingly used to analyze the complex interrelationships between risk factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal diseases [ 18 , 24 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

Thirty Minutes Identified as the Threshold for Development of Pain in Low Back and Feet Regions, and Predictors of Intensity of Pain during 1-h Laboratory-Based Standing in Office Workers

“…Participants were excluded if they: (i) were pregnant or less than six months postpartum, (ii) had any major trauma or surgery to the spine or lower limb in the last 12 months or (iii) had a diagnosis of neurological or systemic pathology. The recruitment process and sample size are described elsewhere [ 13 ].…”

“…Experimental laboratory studies which simulate occupational standing have used an induced pain paradigm to identify factors which could be associated with developing low-back and/or lower extremity pain [ 8 ]. Some factors suggested to predispose a person to the development of LBP during prolonged standing are: (i) fatigue of the trunk and hip muscles [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]; (ii) movement control dysfunction [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]; and (iii) postural stiffness through increased levels of coactivation of hip and trunk muscles [ 14 , 17 ]. Specific factors associated with an increase in LBP during prolonged standing are unknown.…”