Effectiveness of intervention for low back pain in female caregivers in nursing homes: a pilot trial based on multicenter randomization

Abstract

Objectives Although the importance of stretching exercise for pain-relieving and patient education is well documented for chronic lumbago patients, it is uncertain how effective on-the-job training (OJT) is for female caregivers in nursing homes. In the present pilot trial based on multicenter randomization, we evaluated the intervention effect of a lecture and stretching exercise on caregivers in nursing homes. Methods Eighty-eight female caregivers (four nursing homes) volunteered to participate in this study, and they were separated into two groups randomly. For the intervention group, guidance by an orthopedist and an exercise instructor were provided as one OJT, and stretching exercises for only 6 min every day were recommended for low back pain prevention to the caregivers. Low back pain visual analogue scale (VAS), physical fitness, and mental and physical health were compared at baseline and immediately after the intervention. Results A total of 29 (33%) participants withdrew by 12 weeks. Regarding the reasons for withdrawal, 28 participants resigned, and one took a leave of absence due to exacerbation of lumbago. Adherence to the stretching exercises was 2.3 ± 1.3 (mean ± SD) times per week. No significant differences were seen for any outcome measurements. The high adherence group (33 times per week) did not show a change in the VAS, but the low adherence group (\3 times per week) and control group showed a tendency towards an increased score (p = 0.068). Conclusions Even with the conduct of one OJT, and exercises of only 6 min every day, the adherence of caregivers was low, and there appeared to be few effects of the OJT.

What are the Most Common Factors Contributing to Physical Lower Back Pain among Working Nurses?-A Systematic Review Study

“…Factors that showed significant association with LBP among nursing staff in the multivariate analysis were age, nationality, menstrual disorders and stress level at work. Kamioka et al [8] found that there is no significant differences were seen for any outcome measurements.…”

“…The presence of LBP is significant, as most nurses will have a persistent pain throughout their lifetime, proven by Maul et.al. [18], which may contribute to early retirement (8).…”

Low Back Pain in Female Caregivers in Nursing Homes

“…Table 2 provides a brief summary of the six articles. The types of intervention were as follows: multidimensional method (Miyamoto et al, 1998 andSvensson et al, 2008); transfer technique and stress management (Jensen et al, 2006); lumbar support (Roelofs et al, 2007); stretching exercise (Kamioka et al, 2011); and cognitive behavioral theory (Menzel et al, 2006). In the main outcome measurement (for pain-relieving), it was only lumbar support that was statistically significantly effective (Svensson et al, 2008).…”

“…For lumbar support, it cost 50-70 euros per one unit (Roelofs et al, 2007). For stretching exercise, it cost 2,000 dollars as an overall training expense (Kamioka et al, 2011). And, for cognitive behavioral intervention, the compensation to a participant of one hour was shown to be 17 dollars (Menzel et al, 2006).…”

“…In our RCT (Kamioka et al, 2011), we evaluated the intervention effect of on-the-job training (OJT; a lecture by an orthopedist and stretching exercise) on caregivers in Japanese nursing homes. Unfortunately, even with conducting one OJT and exercising only six minutes every day, adherence of caregivers was low and there appeared to be few effects of the intervention.…”