Work

The association between back pain and trunk posture of workers in a special school for the severe handicaps

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The present study aims to determine the time spent in different static trunk postures during a typical working day of workers in a special school for the severe handicaps. METHODS: Eighteen workers with low back pain (LBP) and fifteen asymptomatic workers were recruited. A cross-sectional design was employed to study the time spent in different static trunk postures which was recorded by a biaxial accelerometer attached to the T12 level of the back of the subjects. RESULTS: The results of ANCOVA revealed that subjects with LBP spent significantly longer percentage of time in static trunk posture when compared to normal (p < 0.05). It was also shown that they spent significantly longer time in trunk flexion for more than 10 degrees (p < 0.0125). CONCLUSION: An innovative method has been developed for continuous tracking of spinal posture, and this has potential for widespread applications in the workplace. The findings of the present investigation suggest that teachers in special schools are at increased risk of getting LBP. In order to minimise such risk, frequent postural change and awareness of work posture are recommended.

Source: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-10-43

Authors: Kelvin CH Wong, Raymond YW Lee, Simon S Yeung

Institutions: Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University of Roehampton

Language: English

Topic: Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,090