Background & Aims
In accordance with the Mexican Official Norm NOM 036-1- STPS-2018 for ergonomic risks, the workers of industry related to manual handling of loads have a risk of suffering musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain (1). The international guidelines for the management and treatment of low back pain suggest that physical therapy is an effective option for patients with chronic low back pain of a mechanical or non-specific type (NSCLBP) (2). The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical therapy intervention in the NSCLBP derived from occupational risks, as well as the overall quality of life of the workers.
Methods
Fourteen ambulatory and active coworkers with NSCLBP (duration ?6 months), and previously evaluated in accordance with the Mexican Official Norm NOM 036-1- STPS-2018 for ergonomic risks, were enrolled in a longitudinal and prospective clinical intervention. Participants were submitted to physical therapy which included core exercise, manual therapy, and pain reeducation, for 4 weeks. All coworkers completed the total pain score (Visual Analog Pain Scale, VAS)(3), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, TSK-11)(4,5), disability index derived from low back pain (Oswestry Questionnaire)(6), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Questionnaire)(7) and quality of life (SF-36)(8) questionaries, before and after treatment. Statistical treatment was performed by Wilcoxon signated-rank rest.
Results
The physical therapy rehabilitation for 4 weeks decreased the pain score (5-6, pre-treatment, to 1-2, post-treatment; *P<0.005) in patients with NCLBP derived from occupational risk. Concomitantly, kinesiophobia (24.5 to 15) and the overall index of disability (7-2) were decreased. Parallelly, sleep quality (5.5 to 3.0, good sleep quality ?5) and quality life (56.25 to 65.50) in NCLBP coworkers was improved.
Conclusions
The findings suggested that a four-week physical therapy and pain education intervention had a positive impact on coworkers with NSCLBP, including a decreased kinesiophobia, improved functional capacity, enhanced sleep quality, and positively influenced their overall general health. These results underscore the value of physical therapy as an effective approach to managing NSCLBP associated with occupational risks, however, one of the limitans of this study is the size of the coworkers included, hence, we suggest a future studies on the field.
References
1.DOF – Diario Oficial de la Federación. Gob.mx.
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4.Osumi M, Sumitani M, Otake Y, Nishigami T, Mibu A, Nishi Y, et al. Kinesiophobia modulates lumbar movements in people with chronic low back pain: a kinematic analysis of lumbar bending and returning movement. European Spine Journal. 2019 Jul 21;28(7):1572–8.
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6.Smeets R, Köke A, Lin CW, Ferreira M, Demoulin C. Measures of function in low back pain/disorders: Low Back Pain Rating Scale (LBPRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Progressive Isoinertial Lifting Evaluation (PILE), Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS), and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2011 Nov;63(S11):S158–73.
7.Buysse DJ, Reynolds CF, Monk TH, Berman SR, Kupfer DJ. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index: A new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Res. 1989 May;28(2):193–213.
8.Jenkinson C, Coulter A, Wright L. Short form 36 (SF36) health survey questionnaire: normative data for adults of working age. BMJ. 1993 May 29;306(6890):1437–40.
Presenting Author
Geovanna Nallely Quiñonez-Bastidas
Poster Authors
Geovanna Nallely Quiñonez-Bastidas
PhD
Centro de Investigación y Docencia en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa
Lead Author
Diana Ivette Espino-Martínez
PT
Centro de Investigación y Docencia en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa
Lead Author
Héctor Isaac Rocha-González
PhD
Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Lead Author
Andrés Navarrete
PhD
Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Lead Author
Topics
- Lifestyle Issues: Sleep/Diet/Exercise/Social Interactions