Since three of four RCTs on lumbar supports reported no effect , there is no evidence for the effectiveness of lumbar supports .
The four RCTs on exercise consistently reported a positive effect , indicating limited evidence for the effectiveness of exercise .
CONCLUSION There is no evidence for the effectiveness of lumbar supports or education in the primary prevention of low back pain at the workplace .
There is limited evidence for the efficacy of exercise , and the effect that can be obtained is moderate .
OBJECTIVE To up date the evidence on the effectiveness of lumbar supports , education and exercise in the primary prevention of low back pain at the workplace .
The Cost‐Effectiveness of a Back School Program in Industry: A Longitudinal Controlled Field Study
To define the cost-effectiveness of a back school program in industry , a controlled longitudinal field study was carried out in a Dutch bus company . The experimental group received a program consisting of information on back care , physical fitness , nutrition , stress , and relaxation . Objective data on absenteeism were collected and compared during a 6-year period for the control and experimental groups . Results showed that a tailor-made back school program reduced absenteeism by at least 5 days per year per employee , therefore being cost-effective to industry . A reduction was not observed in incidence , but in mean length of absenteeism . This effect turned out to be persistent during a 2-year period following the program
Since three of four RCTs on lumbar supports reported no effect , there is no evidence for the effectiveness of lumbar supports .
The four RCTs on exercise consistently reported a positive effect , indicating limited evidence for the effectiveness of exercise .
CONCLUSION There is no evidence for the effectiveness of lumbar supports or education in the primary prevention of low back pain at the workplace .
There is limited evidence for the efficacy of exercise , and the effect that can be obtained is moderate .
OBJECTIVE To up date the evidence on the effectiveness of lumbar supports , education and exercise in the primary prevention of low back pain at the workplace .