Continuous Passive Lumbar Spinal Motion: The BackCycler® System for Preventing Low Back Discomfort, Stiffness and Fatigue During Sitting

Abstract

Low back pain is the most common physical complaint of motor vehicle drivers and passengers. Various seat back contours have been developed to improve low back comfort, and lumbar support has some advantages. Recently, a series of experiments have demonstrated that a continuously inflating and deflating (BackCycler®) lumbar support bladder system can reduce low back discomfort, stiffness and fatigue in drivers with and without clinical back problems. As demonstrated by radiographic movies, this system works by gently keeping the user's lumbar spine moving through greater and lesser forward curves (lordosis). The purpose of this paper is to present the efficacy research and to review the proposed mechanisms of action for this emerging seating comfort technology.