Overall studies showed that nursing activities conferred increased risk for , and were associated with back disorders regardless of nursing technique , personal characteristics , and non-work-related factors .
Patient h and ling appears to confer the highest risk , but other nursing duties are also associated with elevated risk , and confound dose – response assessment s related to patient h and ling alone .
A threshold of nursing activities below which the risk of back disorders is not elevated has not been established .
Abstract Background : Although non-specific low back pain ( LBP ) is known to be multifactorial , studies from across the globe have documented their higher prevalence in nurses .
This systematic review was conducted to ascertain whether this much-documented association constitutes a causal relationship , and whether there is a discernible threshold of exposures associated with this elevated risk .
New low back pain in nurses: work activities, work stress and sedentary lifestyle.
BACKGROUND Low back pain is common among nurses . Previous studies have shown that the risk of low back pain increases rapidly with greater amounts of physical work and psychological stress , but is inversely related to leisure activities . However , these previous studies were predominantly retrospective in design and not many took account of three factors simultaneously . AIMS This 12-month prospect i ve study examined the relationships between work activities , work stress , sedentary lifestyle and new low back pain . METHODS A total of 144 nurses from six Hong Kong district hospitals completed a face-to-face baseline interview , which was followed-up by a telephone interview . The main study measures were demographic characteristics , work activities , work stress , physical leisure activities and the nature of new low back pain during the 12-month follow-up period . Level of work stress , quality of relationships at work , level of enjoyment experienced at work , and work satisfaction were self-reported . RESULTS Fifty-six ( 38.9 % ) nurses reported experiencing new low back pain . Sedentary leisure time activity was not associated with new low back pain . Being comparatively new on a ward ( adjusted relative risk 2.90 ) , working in bending postures ( adjusted relative risk 2.76 ) and poor work relationships with colleagues ( adjusted relative risk 2.52 ) were independent predictors of new low back pain . CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggest that low back pain is a common problem in the population of nurses in Hong Kong . Being comparatively new on a ward , bending frequently during work and having poor work relationships with colleagues are independent predictors of new low back pain . Training for high-risk work activities and ergonomic assessment of awkward work postures are essential . Moreover , relaxation and team-building workshops for nurses , especially those who are less experienced in the type of work on their current ward , are recommended
Overall studies showed that nursing activities conferred increased risk for , and were associated with back disorders regardless of nursing technique , personal characteristics , and non-work-related factors .
Patient h and ling appears to confer the highest risk , but other nursing duties are also associated with elevated risk , and confound dose – response assessment s related to patient h and ling alone .
A threshold of nursing activities below which the risk of back disorders is not elevated has not been established .
Abstract Background : Although non-specific low back pain ( LBP ) is known to be multifactorial , studies from across the globe have documented their higher prevalence in nurses .
This systematic review was conducted to ascertain whether this much-documented association constitutes a causal relationship , and whether there is a discernible threshold of exposures associated with this elevated risk .