Incidence of Work-Related Low Back Pain in Physical Therapists

Molumphy, Margaret; Unger, Bobbi; Jensen, Gail M.; Lopopolo, Rosalie B

doi:10.1093/ptj/65.4.482

Cited by 128 publications

(133 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…West and Gardner [7] reported that 16% of physiotherapists first experienced their injury as students, whereas 56% reported their worst injury to have occurred within the first 5 years of working as a physiotherapist. The most common region of injury is the low back [3,4,6,7]. In our study, only 17.7% of physiotherapy students had never experienced LBP.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

“…To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study that clearly demonstrated the association between undergraduate physiotherapy study and LBP. There are many reports in the literature concerning the burden of work-related musculoskeletal injuries in physiotherapists [3][4][5][6][7]. West and Gardner [7] reported that 16% of physiotherapists first experienced their injury as students, whereas 56% reported their worst injury to have occurred within the first 5 years of working as a physiotherapist.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies with physiotherapists who have already graduated reported a 1 year prevalence of LBP ranging from 22 to 62.5% [4,6,7]. These professionals routinely perform some activities that could be risk factors for development of back pain like manual therapy such as soft tissue mobilization, transferring dependent patients, assisting patients in gait, providing manual resistance, assisting with mat activities, and lifting heavy and cumbersome equipment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some studies have demonstrated that physiotherapists have a high prevalence of LBP [3][4][5][6][7]. The activities of these professionals are related to the development of this pain [3,4,7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The activities of these professionals are related to the development of this pain [3,4,7]. It is estimated that up to 60% of LBP events in this group occur as a consequence of work-related injuries [3][4][5][6][7]. Many physiotherapists report the onset of LBP during undergraduate course [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Increased prevalence of low back pain among physiotherapy students compared to medical students

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Some studies have demonstrated that physiotherapists have a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP). The association between physiotherapy students, who are potentially exposed to the same LBP occupational risks as graduates, and LBP has never been demonstrated. The objective of the study is to evaluate the association between undergraduate physiotherapy study and LBP. The study design includes a cross-sectional study. A questionnairebased study was carried out with physiotherapy and medical students. LBP was measured as lifetime, 1-year and point prevalence. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to find the factors associated with LBP. Bivariate analyses were also performed to assess differences between LBP characteristics in the two courses. 77.9% of the students had LBP at some point in their lives, 66.8% in the last year and 14.4% of them reported they were suffering from LBP at the moment of answering the questionnaire. Physiotherapy students reported a higher prevalence of LBP when compared with the medical students in all measures. In the logistic regression model, physiotherapy students (A-OR 2.51; 95% CI 1.35-4.67; p = 0.003), and being exposed to the undergraduate study for more than four semesters (A-OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.43-4.55; p = 0.001) were independently associated with LBP. There were no differences between the courses concerning pain intensity and disability. As it was a crosssectional study, we were not able to observe accurately if there is an increasing incidence of LBP during the course. Also, we did not intend to identify which activities in the course were associated with the development of LBP. This study clearly demonstrated an association between undergraduate physiotherapy study and LBP. The length of course exposure is also associated with LBP.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Increased prevalence of low back pain among physiotherapy students compared to medical students

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

European Spine Society ?The Acromed Prize for Spinal Research 1995 Unexpected load and asymmetric posture as etiologic factors in low back pain

Aleksiev²,

et al. 1996

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Unexpected loads, which often occur in the working environment, can lead to high forces in the spine and, thus, may be a cause of low back injury. This paper discusses the effect of "sudden load" on the erector spine reaction and amplitude. Muscle responses were mediated by several factors, including fatigue, posture, expectation and rehabilitation, in chronic low back pain patients. The subjects were fatigued by holding a 20% maximum voluntary contraction for 1 min. A functional restoration program was tested for its efficacy in reducing reaction time and EMG amplitude in chronic low back pain patients. Reaction time was longer and EMG amplitude lower in patients than in their matched controls. EMG reaction time and magnitude decreased in patients after a 2-week rehabilitation program, including specific training of coordination and posture control. The results of the modelling showed higher spinal compressive load and lower shear forces when the load was expected than when the load was unexpected. The effect of sudden loads can be exacerbated if a worker is not standing on a flat surface or is fatigued. Chronic low back pain patients have less ability to protect themselves from sudden loads, but they can be trained to improve their response by means of an appropriate rehabilitation program.

show abstract

Benefits of a back care and light duty health promotion program in a hospital setting

Rydén¹,

Molgaard

Bobbitt³

1988

J Community Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Back injuries are a common and expensive problem in industry in terms of both direct and indirect costs. A dramatic increase in the costs of workers' compensation for work-related back injuries occurred from 1981-1985 in a hospital setting. During this five-year period, costs of back injuries rose from $36,384 to $272,751, a 750% increase, and the incidence per thousand employees rose from 21 in 1981 to 33 in 1985. A back care education program was instituted by the Physical Therapy Department and Employee Health Service for all departments within the hospital, with content tailored to individual job requirements. Because employees who have had one back injury are at risk for reinjury, an "at risk" program was also developed. For those injured employees without time off work and without need for medical care, a private session with a physical therapist is required to assess musculoskeletal problems and to review posture and body mechanics directly related to specific job tasks. Those employees unable to work in their usual positions are assigned to temporary modified jobs as part of the Light Duty Program. In 1986, following the institution of these two programs in the hospital, the cost of back injuries dramatically decreased to $72,296, a $200,000 drop, and the incidence per thousand employees fell to fifteen. The efficacy of this health promotion intervention program was confirmed both in the cost benefit to the hospital as well as in reduction in incidence of low back injury.

show abstract

Incidence of Work-Related Low Back Pain in Physical Therapists

Cited by 128 publications

References 8 publications

Increased prevalence of low back pain among physiotherapy students compared to medical students

Increased prevalence of low back pain among physiotherapy students compared to medical students

European Spine Society ?The Acromed Prize for Spinal Research 1995 Unexpected load and asymmetric posture as etiologic factors in low back pain

Benefits of a back care and light duty health promotion program in a hospital setting

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About