Is objectively measured sitting at work associated with low-back pain? A cross sectional study in the DPhacto cohort

Oct 28, 2017Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health

Is measured sitting time at work linked to low-back pain? A study from the DPhacto group

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Abstract

The study involved 704 participants and found no significant associations between total sitting duration or patterns and peak low-back pain intensity.

Temporal patterns of sitting were categorized into brief bursts, moderate periods, and prolonged periods.
No significant relationship was observed between sitting and low-back pain intensity during work or throughout the day.
Body mass index (BMI) was identified as a significant moderator, with high BMI participants showing a negative association and low BMI participants a positive association with low-back pain.
The findings suggest that other factors may be more influential risk factors for low-back pain than sitting.

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Objectives Low-back pain (LBP) is a substantial health challenge due to the risk for long-term sickness absence and early retirement. Several biomechanical exposures at work, including sitting, have been suggested to increase the risk for LBP. The objectives of this study were to determine (i) the extent to which temporal patterns and total amount of objectively measured sitting is associated with LBP intensity and (ii) whether selected modifiers influence these associations. Methods This cross sectional study uses baseline data from the Danish PHysical ACTivity cohort with Objective measurements (DPhacto) of physical activities in the cleaning, transport and manufacturing sectors. Peak intensity of LBP was collected by questionnaire on a 0-10 scale and sitting was expressed in terms of total duration and temporal pattern, ie, time spent in brief bursts (≤5 minutes), moderate periods (>5-≤20 minutes), and prolonged periods of sitting (>20 minutes); both during work and whole day (waking hours only). Associations were determined using linear regression in models accounting for moderation and confounding. Factors evaluated as moderators or confounders were assessed by questionnaire. Results The population consisted of 704 participants. No significant associations were found between total duration or temporal patterns of sitting and LBP intensity, neither during work nor for the whole day. Body mass index (BMI) significantly moderated the association between sitting and LBP; participants with a high and low BMI showing a negative and positive association, respectively. Conclusion Sitting was not independently associated with peak LBP intensity, suggesting other exposures are more powerful risk factors for LBP.

Is objectively measured sitting at work associated with low-back pain? A cross sectional study in the DPhacto cohort

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