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 .
An evaluation of a weightlifting belt and back injury prevention training class for airline baggage handlers.
This study evaluated the efficacy of a commercially available weightlifting belt in relation to reduction of lumbar injury incident rate and severity of injuries over an 8-month period . The study used 642 baggage h and lers working for a major airline company as participants . Four treatment groups were r and omly selected : a group receiving the belt only , a group receiving a 1 h training class only , a group receiving both a belt and a 1 h training class , and a control group receiving nothing . Two treatment groups were added which contained participants who discontinued use of the belt prior to the end of an 8-month study period . Results indicated that there were no significant differences for total lumbar injury incident rate , restricted workday case injury incident rate , lost workdays and restricted workdays rate , and worker 's compensation rates . There was , however , a marginal significant difference for lost workday case injury incident rate . Groups with participants who wore the belt for a while then discontinued its use had a higher lost day case injury incident rate than did either the group receiving training only or the control group . Compliance was an overriding factor as the belt question naire response indicated that 58 % of participants in the belt groups discontinued use of the belt before the end of 8 months . Comments made on the survey forms indicated that the belt was too hot . Similarly , comments suggested that the belt rubbed , pinched , and bruised ribs . Based on these results , the weightlifting belt used for this study can not be recommended for use in aid of lifting during daily work activities of baggage h and lers . Results indicate that use of the belts may , in fact , increase the risk of injury when not wearing a belt following a period of wearing a belt . As industries are experimenting with the use of belts , it is recommended that great care be taken in any further evaluation and close attention directed towards injuries which occur when not wearing the belt following a period of wearing the belt ( ie , off-the-job injuries )
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 .