Giuseppina Bernardelli1, Luisella Vigna, Carlo Nava, Vito De Gennaro Colonna, Lars L Andersen, Dario Consonni, Luciano Riboldi. 1. Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milan, Italy (Dr Bernardelli, Dr Colonna); Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy (Dr Vigna, Dr Nava, Dr Consonni, Dr Riboldi); National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark (Dr Andersen).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of physical activity program in healthcare workers with low back pain (LBP). METHODS:A group of healthcare workers participated voluntarily to a meeting about LBP and to be accepted, were randomly allocated to workplace program or to home-based exercises, illustrated in a booklet and in a video available on the company intranet website. Both programs consisted in 7 weeks of moderate intensity exercises adapted to LBP. RESULTS: Most outcomes improved in both groups, however with larger improvement of the Oswestry Disability Index in the workplace group (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS:Regular physical exercise, at home or at the workplace among healthcare workers with LBP, represents a great opportunity to improve health and reduce disability.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of physical activity program in healthcare workers with low back pain (LBP). METHODS: A group of healthcare workers participated voluntarily to a meeting about LBP and to be accepted, were randomly allocated to workplace program or to home-based exercises, illustrated in a booklet and in a video available on the company intranet website. Both programs consisted in 7 weeks of moderate intensity exercises adapted to LBP. RESULTS: Most outcomes improved in both groups, however with larger improvement of the Oswestry Disability Index in the workplace group (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Regular physical exercise, at home or at the workplace among healthcare workers with LBP, represents a great opportunity to improve health and reduce disability.