Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequently observed musculoskeletal complaints of office workers who sit at the desk for most of their working hours, chiefly as a result of sitting and poor sitting postures. Since the sedentary working conditions are on the increase, it is essential to know the connection between sitting patterns and LBP. Objective: To determine the association of LBP with sitting patterns among desk-based office workers. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Lahore for four months. A sample of 72 faculty members aged 25–55 years was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire covering demographic details, sitting patterns and pain severity, which was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), a 10-point scale where 0 indicates 'no pain' and 10 indicates 'worst possible pain'. Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS version 25.0, and the chi-square test assessed the association between variables. Results: The results showed 91.7% of participants reported experiencing LBP in the past year. Most participants (52.8%). Seated position for more than six hours per day, and 70.8% rated their posture as average. A significant number (58.3%) only occasionally supported their back properly, and 63.9% had monitors not aligned at eye level. The association between poor sitting habits and increased LBP was statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusions: The present study shows a close relationship between LBP and sitting habits in office workers who sit at their workstations.
Authors: Laieba Rani, Sadia Sukhera, Awais Siddique, Hira Shafiq, Fizzah Amjad, Rameen Imtiaz
Institution: University of Lahore
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412949565