Videoconference-Supervised Group Exercise Reduces Low Back Pain in Eldercare Workers: Results from the ReViEEW Randomised Controlled Trial

Ander Espin; Jon Irazusta; Maialen Aiestaran; Unai Latorre Erezuma; Julia García-García; Ismene Arrinda; Karmele Acedo; Ana Rodriguez-Larrad

doi:10.1007/s10926-024-10182-2

Videoconference-Supervised Group Exercise Reduces Low Back Pain in Eldercare Workers: Results from the ReViEEW Randomised Controlled Trial

J Occup Rehabil. 2024 Apr 17. doi: 10.1007/s10926-024-10182-2. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ander Espin^{1

2}, Jon Irazusta^{3

4}, Maialen Aiestaran³, Unai Latorre Erezuma^{3

4}, Julia García-García^{3

4}, Ismene Arrinda⁵, Karmele Acedo⁶, Ana Rodriguez-Larrad^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Ageing On Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain. ander.espin@ehu.eus.
² Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain. ander.espin@ehu.eus.
³ Ageing On Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.
⁴ Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
⁵ IMQ Igurco Residencias Sociosanitarias, Bilbao, Spain.
⁶ Home Care Lab, S. Coop, Bilbao, Spain.

PMID: 38632115
DOI: 10.1007/s10926-024-10182-2

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effects of a group exercise intervention conducted by real-time videoconference on the low back pain of eldercare workers.

Methods: We randomly assigned 130 eldercare workers to an experimental group (EG: n = 65) or control group (CG: n = 65). Participants from both groups took part in routine prevention programs carried out in their workplace, and participants from the EG received an additional 12-week resistance-exercise intervention supervised by real-time videoconference. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention, and the primary outcome was average low back pain intensity during the last 7 days, measured by the 0-10 numerical rating scale. Secondary outcomes included additional measures of low back, neck, shoulder and hand/wrist pain, as well as psycho-affective parameters, medication consumption and muscle performance. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were applied with a group-by-time ANCOVA including baseline measurements as covariates.

Results: 125 participants completed post-intervention assessments (EG: n = 63, CG: n = 62). The intention-to-treat analysis showed an effect favouring the EG on average low back pain intensity (p = 0.034). Improvements in additional low back and hand/wrist pain outcomes were also observed, as well as on upper limb muscle performance (p < 0.05). The per-protocol analysis demonstrated additional benefits in depression, quality of life, hypnotic/anxiolytic medication consumption and lower limb and trunk muscle performance in participants with ≥ 50% adherence (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The intervention was effective for reducing the low back and hand/wrist pain of eldercare workers and increasing upper limb muscle performance. The per-protocol analysis showed additional benefits in psycho-affective parameters, medication consumption and muscle performance.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05050526. Registered 20 September 2021-Prospectively registered, https://www.

Clinicaltrials: gov/study/NCT05050526.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain; Occupational health; Quality of life; Resistance training; Telerehabilitation.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05050526