Feasibility and impact of sit-stand workstations with and without exercise in office workers at risk of low back pain: A pilot comparative effectiveness trial

Venerina Johnston; Elise M Gane; Wendy Brown; Bill Vicenzino; Genevieve N Healy; Nicholas Gilson; Michelle D Smith

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2018.12.006

Feasibility and impact of sit-stand workstations with and without exercise in office workers at risk of low back pain: A pilot comparative effectiveness trial

Appl Ergon. 2019 Apr:76:82-89. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.12.006. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Authors

Venerina Johnston¹, Elise M Gane², Wendy Brown³, Bill Vicenzino⁴, Genevieve N Healy⁵, Nicholas Gilson³, Michelle D Smith⁴

Affiliations

¹ RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Therapies Building, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia. Electronic address: v.johnston@uq.edu.au.
² Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Therapies Building, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Health Hospital and Health Service, P.O. Box 6053, Buranda, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
³ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, Human Movement Studies Building, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
⁴ Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Therapies Building, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
⁵ School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia.

PMID: 30642528
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.12.006

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the feasibility and impact of sit-stand workstations plus advice, with or without exercise, on back pain and sitting time in office workers at risk of low back pain (LBP). Eligible participants (n = 29/169; 17% overall) were randomized to receive a sit-stand workstation and advice with (n = 16) or without (n = 13) progressive resistance exercise training for 4-weeks. Feasibility (recruitment, acceptability, adherence) and impact (LBP severity during a standardized standing task, workplace-sitting time) were assessed. Intervention acceptability (87.5% very satisfied) was good and adherence (60% completed all 12 exercise sessions) was satisfactory. Maximum LBP severity (mean difference of -1.3 (-2.0, -0.6) and workplace sitting time (82.7-99.3 min/8-hr workday reduction) were similarly reduced in both groups. The introduction of a sit-stand workstation with advice was feasible and achieved similar outcomes for LBP and workplace sitting time when administered with or without exercise.

Keywords: Exercise; Low back pain; Sit-stand workstation.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adult
Comparative Effectiveness Research
Feasibility Studies
Female
Humans
Low Back Pain / prevention & control*
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases / prevention & control*
Occupational Health*
Patient Compliance
Patient Satisfaction
Pilot Projects
Resistance Training* / adverse effects
Risk Factors
Sitting Position*
Standing Position*
Workplace