Discussion
functional disability, lumbar kyphosis, pain, organic LBP, NSLBP, LBP, NRS
LORDOSIS, BENDING
This study investigated the effect of the distribution of leaflets recommending a quick simple exercise program developed by the authors on reducing LBP three months later among workers in the manufacturing industry. Our results demonstrated a significant improvement in LBP NRS scores in the intervention group and a significant interaction with the control group. As not all subjects in the present study had LBP, NRS score changes were compared with consideration to the MCID. Consequently, the percentage of participants who showed improvement was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group.The prevalence of LBP complaints in Japan ranges from roughly 10%–15% to 35%–39% [Return to the workplace is faster with NSLBP than with organic LBP [In the present study, 76.1% of the intervention group participants performed the quick, simple exercises about once every one or two days over the three months. Before our intervention, practicing quick and simple whole-body exercises before work had been recommended at the workplaces. However, these exercises were not aimed at preventing LBP; their purpose was unclear. Also, the exercises were not compulsory. Zunft et al. reported that the most important motivation for people to engage in physical activity is to maintain good health, release tension, and get fit [Exercise therapy for chronic LBP has been shown to improve pain levels to the same extent as anti-inflammatory drugs and to be more effective for functional disability [The present study had some limitations. First, the study did not provide evidence of the mechanism by which the exercise program developed by the authors improves LBP, and thus discussion of the reduction of LBP is only speculative. Second, because the participants in the present study had participated in a workshop on LBP prevention, they already had some knowledge of LBP prevention before performing the quick simple exercises. Having systematic knowledge of steps to prevent LBP may have influenced catastrophic thinking about pain and contributed to LBP reduction. However, we were unable to verify this in detail, and our study showed no change in FABQ. Third, continuous poor posture, such as a forward bending of the trunk (lumbar kyphosis), makes LBP more likely, while exercises that require backward bending of the trunk (lumbar lordosis) may prevent or improve LBP. The exercises performed in the present study included backward bending of the trunk, but these exercises were not compared with others. In the future, it is necessary to examine the occupations in which exercise effects are observed and the persistence of the effects; further, it is also necessary to verify the differences between exercises for which effects are observed and confirm the synergistic effects of exercises. Finally, future studies need to examine the influence of different working environments such as the time spent standing and the working posture, health-related QOL, and practice frequency of quick, simple exercises on NSLBP improvement.