Research Plus

Does workplace exercise reduce back pain?

A systematic review found strong evidence that workplace exercise regimes are effective in reducing the severity of low back pain (LBP) and its impact on activity. However, owing to poor research quality and conflicting results, there is only ‘limited’ evidence that such regimes prevent LBP incidence and associated sick leave. Of the 15 papers meeting inclusion criteria only four were of high methodological quality. More evidence is needed to determine which exercises are effective and whether or not there is a dose–response relationship.

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2009; 19(1): 8–24  http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10926-009-9164-5

Tags back pain evidence based practice

Occupational Health at Work April/May 2009 (vol. 05/6) pp44