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The Influence of Using a Footstool during a Prolonged Standing Task on Low Back Pain in Office Workers

Author

Listed:
  • Michelle D. Smith

    (School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia)

  • Chun Shing Johnson Kwan

    (School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia)

  • Sally Zhang

    (School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia)

  • Jason Wheeler

    (School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia)

  • Tennille Sewell

    (School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia)

  • Venerina Johnston

    (School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
    Recover Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4006, Australia)

Abstract

While many office workers experience low back pain (LBP), little is known about the effect of prolonged standing on LBP symptoms. This repeated-measures within-subjects study aimed to determine whether office workers with LBP are able to work at a standing workstation for one hour without exacerbating symptoms and whether using a footstool affects LBP severity. Sixteen office workers with LBP performed computer work at a standing workstation for one hour under the following two conditions, one week apart: with a footstool and without a footstool. The intensity of LBP was recorded at 10 min intervals. Maximal severity of LBP pain and change in LBP severity throughout the standing task were not different between the footstool and no footstool conditions ( p > 0.26). There was a trend for more participants to have an increase in their pain between the start and end of the task when not using a footstool compared to using a footstool ( p = 0.10). Most office workers with LBP are able to use a standing workstation without significant exacerbation of symptoms, but a proportion will experience a clinical meaningful increase in symptoms. Using a footstool does not change the severity of LBP experienced when using a standing workstation in individuals with a history of LBP.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle D. Smith & Chun Shing Johnson Kwan & Sally Zhang & Jason Wheeler & Tennille Sewell & Venerina Johnston, 2019. "The Influence of Using a Footstool during a Prolonged Standing Task on Low Back Pain in Office Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-8, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:8:p:1405-:d:224110
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    Cited by:

    1. Sara Moreira & Maria Begoña Criado & Maria Salomé Ferreira & Jorge Machado & Carla Gonçalves & Cristina Mesquita & Sofia Lopes & Paula Clara Santos, 2022. "The Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on the Perception of Physical Activity and on the Perception of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Computer Workers: Comparative Longitudinal Study Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-14, June.
    2. Sara Moreira & Maria Salomé Ferreira & Maria Begoña Criado & Jorge Machado & Cristina Mesquita & Sofia Lopes & Paula Clara Santos, 2021. "Occupational Health: Does Compliance with Physical Activity Recommendations Have a Preventive Effect on Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Computer Workers? A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Yi-Lang Chen & Ya-Ting Cheng & Jia-Ning Ye & Tzu-Ling Huang & Wen-Ning Chen, 2020. "Posture and Time Arrangement Influence Shank Circumference Reduction When Performing Leg Raising Exercise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-9, August.
    4. Sara Moreira & Maria Begoña Criado & Maria Salomé Ferreira & Jorge Machado & Carla Gonçalves & Filipe Manuel Clemente & Cristina Mesquita & Sofia Lopes & Paula Clara Santos, 2022. "Positive Effects of an Online Workplace Exercise Intervention during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quality of Life Perception in Computer Workers: A Quasi-Experimental Study Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, March.
    5. Juan Rabal-Pelay & Cristina Cimarras-Otal & Mónica Macia-Calvo & Carmen Laguna-Miranda & Ana Vanessa Bataller-Cervero, 2021. "Use of a Spinal Traction Device during Work Shift in Assembly Line Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-8, July.

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