Physical Activity in Healthcare Workers With Low Back Pain: Effects of the Back-FIT Randomized Trial
Giuseppina Bernardelli1, Luisella Vigna, Carlo Nava
1Department 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).
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.
