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Biomechanical and psychosocial risk factors for low back pain at work

Author

Listed:
  • Kerr, M.S.
  • Frank, J.W.
  • Shannon, H.S.
  • Norman, R.W.K.
  • Wells, R.P.
  • Neumann, W.P.
  • Bombardier, C.

Abstract

Objectives. This study determined whether the physical and psychosocial demands of work are associated with low back pain. Methods. A case-control approach was used. Case subjects (n = 137) reported a new episode of low back pain to their employer, a large automobile manufacturing complex. Control subjects were randomly selected from the study base as cases accrued (n = 179) or were matched to cases by exact job (n = 65). Individual, clinical, and psychosocial variables were assessed by interview. Physical demands were assessed with direct workplace measurements of subjects at their usual jobs. The analysis used multiple logistic regression adjusted for individual characteristics. Results. Self-reported risk factors included a physically demanding job, a poor workplace social environment, inconsistency between job and education level, better job satisfaction, and better coworker support. Low job control showed a borderline association. Physical-measure risk factors included peak lumbar shear force, peak load handled, and cumulative lumbar disc compression. Low body mass index and prior low back pain compensation claims were the only significant individual characteristics. Conclusions. This study identified specific physical and psychosocial demands of work as independent risk factors for low back pain.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerr, M.S. & Frank, J.W. & Shannon, H.S. & Norman, R.W.K. & Wells, R.P. & Neumann, W.P. & Bombardier, C., 2001. "Biomechanical and psychosocial risk factors for low back pain at work," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(7), pages 1069-1075.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2001:91:7:1069-1075_4
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    Cited by:

    1. Glock, Christoph H. & Grosse, Eric H. & Abedinnia, Hamid & Emde, Simon, 2019. "An integrated model to improve ergonomic and economic performance in order picking by rotating pallets," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 273(2), pages 516-534.
    2. Tae-sung In & Jin-hwa Jung & Kyoung-sim Jung & Hwi-young Cho, 2021. "Spinal and Pelvic Alignment of Sitting Posture Associated with Smartphone Use in Adolescents with Low Back Pain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Sobhani, A. & Wahab, M.I.M. & Neumann, W.P., 2015. "Investigating work-related ill health effects in optimizing the performance of manufacturing systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 241(3), pages 708-718.
    4. Sara Lourenço & Filomena Carnide & Fernando G Benavides & Raquel Lucas, 2015. "Psychosocial Work Environment and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among 21-Year-Old Workers: A Population-Based Investigation (2011-2013)," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Kapteyn, Arie & Smith, James P. & van Soest, Arthur, 2008. "Dynamics of work disability and pain," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 496-509, March.
    6. Sobhani, A. & Wahab, M.I.M. & Neumann, W.P., 2017. "Incorporating human factors-related performance variation in optimizing a serial system," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 257(1), pages 69-83.
    7. Withaya Chanchai & Wanpen Songkham & Pranom Ketsomporn & Punnarat Sappakitchanchai & Wattasit Siriwong & Mark Gregory Robson, 2016. "The Impact of an Ergonomics Intervention on Psychosocial Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Thai Hospital Orderlies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-10, May.
    8. Sobhani, A. & Wahab, M.I.M. & Jaber, M.Y., 2019. "The effect of working environment aspects on a vendor–buyer inventory model," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 171-183.
    9. Aimee J. Palumbo & Anneclaire J. De Roos & Carolyn Cannuscio & Lucy Robinson & Jana Mossey & Julie Weitlauf & Lorena Garcia & Robert Wallace & Yvonne Michael, 2017. "Work Characteristics Associated with Physical Functioning in Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-19, April.
    10. Junshi Liu & Xingda Qu & Yipeng Liu, 2022. "Influence of Load Knowledge on Biomechanics of Asymmetric Lifting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-10, March.
    11. Rugulies, Reiner & Krause, Niklas, 2005. "Job strain, iso-strain, and the incidence of low back and neck injuries. A 7.5-year prospective study of San Francisco transit operators," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 27-39, July.
    12. Diefenbach, Heiko & Grosse, Eric H. & Glock, Christoph H., 2024. "Human-and-cost-centric storage assignment optimization in picker-to-parts warehouses," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 315(3), pages 1049-1068.
    13. Maria Carolina Barreto Moreira Couto & Ila Rocha Falcão & Juliana dos Santos Müller & Ivone Batista Alves & Wendel da Silva Viana & Verônica Maria Cadena Lima & Paulo Gilvane Lopes Pena & Courtney Geo, 2019. "Prevalence and Work-Related Factors Associated with Lower Back Musculoskeletal Disorders in Female Shellfish Gatherers in Saubara, Bahia-Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, March.

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