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Review Article: Is sitting-while-at-work associated with low back pain? A systematic, critical literature review

Nordic Institute of Chiropractice and Clinical Biomechanics, Odense C, Denmark, j.hartvigsen{at}nikkb.dk, University of Southern Denmark, Department of Genetic Epidemiology, Odense C, Denmark

Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde

the Medical Research Unit, Ringkøbing, Denmark

Svend Lings

Odense University Hospital, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Odense C, Denmark

Elisabeth H. Corder

University of Southern Denmark, Department of Genetic Epidemiology, Odense C, Denmark

Objectives: To present a critical review and evaluate recent reports investigating sitting-while-at-work as a risk factor for low back pain (LBP). Methods: The Medline, Embase and OSH-ROM databases were searched for articles dealing with sitting at work in relation to low back pain for the years 1985-97. The studies were divided into those dealing with sitting-while-working and those dealing with sedentary occupations. Each article was systematically abstracted for core items. The quality of each article was determined based on the representativeness of the study sample, the definition of LBP, and the statistical analysis. Results: Thirty-five reports were identified, 14 dealing with sitting-while-working and 21 with sedentary occupations. Eight studies were found to have a representative sample, a clear definition of LBP and a clear statistical analysis. Regardless of quality, all but one of the studies failed to find a positive association between sitting-while-working and LBP. High quality studies found a marginally negative association for sitting compared to diverse workplace exposures, e.g. standing, driving, lifting bending, and compared to diverse occupations. One low quality study associated sitting in a poor posture with LBP. Conclusions: The extensive recent epidemiological literature does not support the popular opinion that sitting-while-at-work is associated with LBP.

Key Words: epidemiology • low back pain • literature review • occupation • risk factors • sedentary • work.

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 28, No. 3, 230-239 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/14034948000280030201


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