Prognostic psychosocial factors for disabling low back pain in Japanese hospital workers

Low back pain prevention behaviors and beliefs among the Polish population in a cross-sectional survey

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common problems of public health and creates a burden globally. The aim was to assess the Polish population's back pain prevention behaviors and beliefs and to examine how these health behaviors and beliefs vary across sociodemographic factors and physical activity.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 208 randomly selected patients of the public general practitioner clinic. The differences in LBP-related beliefs and attitudes were determined due to participants' status of requiring or non-requiring LBP treatment.

Results

More than half of the respondents did not engage in behaviors that protect against back pain. Individuals with higher education levels and those who exercised at least once a week were significantly more likely to adopt behaviors to protect their backs. Less than half of the participants reported having a workplace that was adequately prepared to protect against back pain, and only 35.1% of the participants reported receiving instruction while taking up work on how to avoid back pain while working. According to respondents' opinions, preventive actions are necessary to protect against back pain. Inappropriate exercises and stress can be contributors to back pain, with these opinions reported more often by women and participants with higher education levels. Participants who received treatment for LBP showed a significantly higher expression of behaviors to protect against back pain compared to participants who did not require treatment. However, there were no significant differences in participants' beliefs about back pain prevention between the group requiring LBP treatment and the group not requiring LBP treatment.

Conclusion

The study provides valuable insights into the association between LBP treatment, back pain prevention behaviors, and beliefs, suggesting potential avenues for future research and intervention development. By addressing workplace ergonomics and promoting a culture of back health, it may be possible to reduce the burden of LBP in Poland.

Usage of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire: A Systematic Review of a Comprehensive Job Stress Questionnaire in Japan from 2003 to 2021

The Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) is used widely in occupational health studies and practice. Summarizing scientific production based on measurement is crucial. This study aimed to systematically review observational studies that used the BJSQ and the New BJSQ to show their usability. A systematic search was conducted for studies investigating relationships between the BJSQ or the New BJSQ subscales and other validated measurements on 13 September 2021, in various literature databases. The BJSQ subscales, scoring methods, and other validated measurements in the studies were qualitatively summarized. In total, 145 published reports between 2003 and 2021 were included. Among the BJSQ subscales, job stressors (n = 95) such as quantitative job overload (n = 65) and job control (n = 64) were most often used. The subscales were utilized to investigate the relationships with several other measurements. Five reports used subscales from the New BJSQ. In the last two decades, the BJSQ and the New BJSQ help measure psychosocial factors (PF) at work and contribute to the publication of scientific papers in the occupational health field. This study would encourage the utilization of the questionnaires for future research and practice.

Association Between Low Back Pain, Workaholism, and Work Engagement in Japanese Hospital Workers: A Quantitative Cross-sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the association between two types of heavy work investment, workaholism and work engagement, and low back pain prevalence.

METHODS

We conducted a paper-based survey of Japanese hospital workers. The Dutch Workaholism Scale (DUWAS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) were used to classify the participants into four groups and perform multiple logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Among 699 participants, the group with low DUWAS and high UWES at 37.1% had the lowest low back pain prevalence. In order, the groups with low DUWAS and UWES were at 51.7%; those with high DUWAS and UWES, 58.5%; and those with high DUWAS and low UWES, 62.4%, with multivariate-adjusted odds ratios of 1.77, 2.01, and 2.33, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Low back pain prevalence among Japanese hospital workers was reduced by high levels of work engagement, even at high levels of workaholism.

Low back pain and telecommuting in Japan: Influence of work environment quality

Objectives

This study examined the relationship between frequency of working from home and low back pain (LBP), considering the quality of work environment.

Methods

The study was based on a cross‐sectional internet‐based survey. Of 33 302 respondents, data from 12 774 desk workers were retained for analysis. We used a 0–10 numerical rating scale to assess LBP. Work environment was assessed using five subjective questions. Mixed‐effects logistic regression nested by city level was used to analyze the relationship between frequency of working from home and LBP, stratified by work environment condition.

Results

The prevalence of LBP was 21.0%. Among those reporting a poor work environment, as opposed to almost never working from home, the multivariate odds ratio (OR) of LBP were as follows: working from home less than 1 day per week: OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.89–1.76, p = .190; 2–3 days per week: OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.16–2.16, p = .004; and 4 or more days per week: OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.38–2.40, p < .001. By contrast, among those reporting a good work environment, the OR of LBP did not increase as the frequency of working from home increased.

Conclusions

The relationship between LBP and frequency of working from home was found to vary with the quality of the work environment; more specifically, LBP was associated with frequency of teleworking in a poor work environment. This study suggests that employers should give more support to their employees in promoting a good work environment to prevent LBP. (Words: 240/250).

Are Work Demand, Support and Control Associated with Work Ability and Disability during Back Pain Treatment? A Prospective Explorative Study

Background: Low back pain is a multifactorial disease with consequences for work ability and social participation. Improved integration of the work domain in health care management is needed. The aim of this study was to explore the relation between working conditions with outcome of low back pain treatment. Methods: Observational study of 41 patients attending physiotherapy for low back pain. Work demands, support and control were registered at baseline and work ability and disability also at baseline, with follow up after three and nine months. We used mixed-effects models to estimate the longitudinal associations between working conditions and outcome. Results: Higher work demands were related to reduced work ability (−1.1 points, 95% CI: −2.1 to −0.1) and slightly increased disability (5.6 points, 95% CI: 0.5 to 10.7). Lack of social support from colleagues was associated with reduced work ability (−2.7 points, 95% CI: −0.2 to 1.5) and disability (14.0 points, 95% CI: 4.9 to 23.1). Conclusions: This explorative study found associations between work demands and support, and work ability and disability outcome. Screening for psychosocial working conditions may influence the work ability and disability treatment outcome. The results need replication in larger samples and may indicate that patients seeking primary care management for low back pain should be screened for work demands, support and control.

Association Between Telecommuting Environment and Low Back Pain Among Japanese Telecommuting Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the relationship between telecommuting environment and low back pain (LBP) among desk-based workers in Japan.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 3663 desk-based, telecommuting workers. LBP was assessed using a 0 to 10 numerical rating scale. The telecommuting environment was evaluated using subjective questions. Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate this association.

RESULTS

The results of mixed-effects logistic model revealed that not having a place or room to concentrate on work, desk not well-lit enough for work, lack of space on the desk to work, not having enough legroom, and uncomfortable temperature and humidity conditions in the workspace were significantly associated with higher odds of LBP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that telecommuting environment is associated with the prevalence of LBP.

Occupation and Sickness Absence in the Different Autonomous Communities of Spain

The occupation of a worker is a determining factor of sickness absence (SA) and can influence both the beginning and continuation of the latter. This study describes SA in Spain, separately in the different Autonomous Communities (AC) in relation to the occupation of workers, with the aim of determining the possible differences in its frequency and duration, relating it also to the diagnosis. A total of 6,543,307 workers, aged 16 years and older, who had at least one episode of SA in the year 2019, constituted the study sample. The obtained results indicate that SA is more frequent and shorter in more elemental occupations. The average duration increases with age and is longer in women, except in technical and administrative occupations, where there is no gender divide. Sickness absences caused by musculoskeletal and mental disorders are more frequent in the lower occupational classes, although their average duration is shorter than in other, more qualified groups. The ACs with shorter duration in almost all the occupational groups are Madrid, Navarre and the Basque Country. In conclusion, SA is more frequent and shorter in lower occupational classes.

Investigating association between job stress dimensions and prevalence of low back pain among hospital nurses

BACKGROUND

There are a few studies conducted on job stress dimensions and their relationship with Low Back Pain (LBP) among Iranian nurses.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between job stress dimensions assessed via Demand-Control-Social Support (DCS) and Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) models and prevalence of LBP among Iranian hospital nurses.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 495 randomly selected nurses of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) participated. Demographic/occupational questionnaire, the Persian version of the Job Content Questionnaire (P-JCQ) and the Persian version of the ERI Questionnaire (P-ERIQ) were used for data collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 19) using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and logistic regression.

RESULTS

The LBP prevalence was found to be 69.9%. The means±standard deviations of job stress dimensions were obtained as follows: decision latitude: 64.67±6.82, physical job demands: 15.52±2.6, social support: 23.18±3.65, psychological job demands: 38.02±4.98, effort: 8.73±2.62, reward: 23.12±5.31, over-commitment: 12.25±3.09, and effort-reward ratio: 0.86±0.3. The findings revealed that the work experience (OR = 1.56), psychological job demands (OR = 1.082), and effort-reward ratio (OR = 3.43) were predictors for LBP among the study population.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence rate of LBP among studied nurses was high. About half of nurses had high psychological demands, low decision latitude and low social support. Based on the effort-reward ratio, nurses had experienced high level of stress. Interventional programs and coping strategies for reduction of work-related stress and, subsequently, prevention of LBP are recommended among hospital nurses.

Association Between FokI Polymorphism of Vitamin D Receptor Gene and Lumbar Spine Disc Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present meta-analysis was to explore the association between FokI polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene and lumbar spine disc degeneration.

DESIGN

The search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to January 2020. The authors selected nine studies comprising a total of 1549 cases and 1672 controls. The association analysis included the allelic, dominant, recessive, homozygous, and heterozygous genetic models. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate the association. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to measure the quality of the studies included in the analyses; a cut-off of 6 stars was applied.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis indicated that FokI polymorphism is significantly associated with lumbar degenerative disc disorder and disc herniation in the homozygous (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.54; Z test P = 0.002, Q test P = 0.416) and recessive (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.90; Z test P < 0.000, Q test P = 0.224) models.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that the vitamin D receptor gene FokI polymorphism may be correlated with the risk of developing a lumbar degenerative disc disorder and disc herniation. However, the small sample population studied and the lack of an evaluation of environmental factors must be taken as limitations in the present meta-analysis.

Translation and validation of the Greek version of the Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8) in patients with chronic low back pain

PURPOSE

To translate and validate the Greek version of the Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Greek SSS-8, created through forth and back translation and cultural adaption processes, was handed over to 145 patients recruited using simple random sampling. Test-retest, composite, and internal consistency reliability were assessed. Construct validity was examined by assessing correlations with Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) instruments. Structural validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent, discriminant, and known group validity were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The response rate was 95.1% (138 subjects, mean age 43.2 ± 11.7) and the overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.831. Test-retest reliability assessment revealed excellent results (Pearson's r > 0.996; Lin's concordance coefficient > 0.995; intraclass correlation coefficient >0.995, all p < 0.001). Composite reliability scores for the pain, cardiopulmonary, and fatigue domains were 0.712, 0.787, and 0.567, respectively. The correlation analyses indicated good construct validity. CFA revealed excellent fit results and known group validity output indicated a linear increasing trend in the severity of somatic symptom disorders (SSDs), depression, and anxiety with higher PHQ-15, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 scores (Jonckheere-Terpstra test, p value < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Greek SSS-8 was shown to be a reliable and valid tool for measuring SSDs in patients with CLBP.Implications for RehabilitationAccording to the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2017, LBP was one of the leading causes of disability for both sexes combined since 1990.Strategies to identify SSDs in patients with LBP at an earlier stage are essential both for the provision of an optimal targeted treatment and for minimizing its direct and indirect economic burden.The Greek SSS-8 is a standardized and validated instrument, which its utilization will enhance the physical therapy assessment process in the Greek population.Not only is the SSS-8 an easy-to-use and highly accurate diagnostic tool for detecting SSDs, but also a short alternative to PHQ-15 in settings with limited assessment time.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the STarT back screening tool in isiZulu

BACKGROUND

Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is one of the most prevalent conditions in the world. Identifying patients at risk for developing chronic NSLBP is key to effective treatment. The STarT back screening tool is a validated, prognostic screening tool identifying subgroups of NSLBP patients, and the risk factors associated with each subgroup, guiding treatment in the primary care of NSLBP.

OBJECTIVES

To translate the English version of the STarT back screening tool into isiZulu and determine the content validity and reliability of the translated tool.

METHOD

Translation was completed in four phases - forward translation and synthesis, backward translation and expert review. Validation included expert review for content validity and testing of the translated tool on 30 patients, determining test-retest reliability, internal consistency and usability.

RESULTS

Minor linguistic differences were addressed during the translation phase. Item content validity was excellent for relevance (1.00), satisfactory (0.94) for clarity, simplicity and ambiguity, with scale-content validity acceptable (0.955). Spearman's correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was acceptable (0.73). Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency for the total score for test 1 and test 2 was 0.68 and 0.77, and for the psychosocial scale 0.62 and 0.77 respectively. Overall, 33% found the tool very easy to understand and 40% found it very easy to complete.

CONCLUSION

The isiZulu STarT back screening tool showed excellent content validity, acceptable reliability and acceptable internal consistency.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Use of the isiZulu tool in local clinics and private practices can improve clinical decision-making and treatment outcomes for isiZulu-speaking patients with NSLBP.

Potential Unintended Effects of Standardized Pain Questionnaires: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVE

Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition with substantial individual and societal costs. Standardized self-report questionnaires are commonly used in clinical practice to identify prognostic risk factors and tailor interventions for low back pain. However, most of these low back pain questionnaires have been developed in Western cultures and may not be clinically applicable to other cultures. These cultural aspects have not been explored. This study aimed to investigate the cultural assumptions underlying back pain questionnaires and the potential implications of using standardized questionnaires with non-Western populations.

DESIGN

An interpretive qualitative design was employed.

SUBJECTS

Participants (N = 16) self-identified as coming from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

METHODS

Data collection and analysis were guided by thematic analysis. Four focus groups of three to five participants were conducted during which participants discussed two questionnaires commonly used in low back pain settings: the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Analysis identified four themes: questionnaires affect the patient-clinician encounter; results are not only about back pain; questionnaires affect people's understanding of their back pain; and results potentially affect people's lives beyond their back condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that questionnaires could potentially negatively affect the patient-clinician rapport and lead to inaccurate and unanticipated results when used with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Findings are also likely to be applicable to people with low back pain more broadly, regardless of culture. Implications include a need for cultural sensitivity when using questionnaires, greater consideration of when to use these measures, and adaptations to the use/design of standardized questionnaires.

Association between high fear-avoidance beliefs about physical activity and chronic disabling low back pain in nurses in Japan

Background

High prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in nurses has been reported globally. Ergonomic factors and work-related psychosocial factors have been focused on as risk factors. However, evidence on the role of fear-avoidance beliefs (FABs) concerning LBP in nurses is lacking. This study examined LBP prevalence and the association between FABs and chronic disabling LBP that interfered with work and lasted ≥ 3 months.

Methods

Female nurses (N = 3066; mean age = 35.8 ± 10.6 years) from 12 hospitals in Japan participated. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographics, LBP, work-related factors, and psychological distress. FABs about physical activity were assessed using a subscale from the FAB Questionnaire (score range = 0–24). The participants were asked to choose one of four statements regarding their LBP in the past 4 weeks: 1) I did not have LBP, 2) I had LBP without work difficulty, 3) I had LBP with work difficulty but without requiring absence from work, and 4) I had LBP requiring absence from work. If the participant had LBP in the past 4 weeks, it was also inquired if the LBP had lasted for ≥ 3 months. Chronic disabling LBP was defined as experiencing LBP with work difficulty in the past 4 weeks which had lasted for ≥ 3 months. In the nurses who had experienced any LBP in the past 4 weeks, we examined the association between FABs and experiencing chronic disabling LBP using multiple logistic regression models adjusting for pain intensity, age, body mass index, smoking status, psychological distress, hospital department, weekly work hours, night shift work, and the12 hospitals where the participants worked.

Results

Four-week and one-year LBP prevalence were 58.7 and 75.9%, respectively. High FABs (≥ 15) were associated with chronic disabling LBP (adjusted odds ratio = 1.76, 95% confidence interval [1.21–2.57], p = 0.003).

Conclusions

LBP is common among nurses in Japan. FABs about physical activity might be a potential target for LBP management in nurses.

Trial registration

UMIN-CTR UMIN000018087. Registered: June 25, 2015.

Psychometric validation of the cross-culturally adapted traditional Chinese version of the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ)

PURPOSE

To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) into traditional Chinese for their use in patients experiencing low back pain (LBP).

METHODS

This was a prospective questionnaire translation and psychometric validation of the BBQ and FABQ in Chinese patients with back pain. Patients also completed the Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong) versions of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Short Form-12 version 2 (SF-12v2) questionnaires and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for LBP. Construct validity was assessed using Spearman's correlation test against the subscales and domains with similar constructs. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha (α). Sensitivity was determined by known-group comparisons.

RESULTS

A total of 100 patients were recruited. Both BBQ (α = 0.810) and FABQ (α = 0.859) demonstrated excellent overall internal consistency. BBQ scores significantly correlated with ODI scores, VAS-LBP and all domains of SF-12v2 (p < 0.01-0.05), whereas only FABQ Work subscale correlated with ODI scores (p < 0.01) and VAS-LBP (p < 0.05). Both FABQ subscales correlated with only specific domains of SF-12v2 (p < 0.01-0.05). FABQ-W was sensitive to difference between patients with acute versus chronic back pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the adapted BBQ and FABQ (Traditional Chinese-Hong Kong) were demonstrated to have satisfactory psychometric properties, with adequate internal consistencies, construct validity and sensitivity to certain clinical parameters. Our findings were based on a clinically relevant patient group and provides insight into patients' own perception of back pain which may often be different from that of surgeons. This is a platform for future cross-cultural comparisons.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

The psychological features of patellofemoral pain: a cross-sectional study

Background and aims:

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a prevalent and debilitating musculoskeletal condition, considered to have a mechanical aetiology. As such, the physical impairments associated with PFP are well documented and have helped characterise different physical phenotypes. But little is known about the relationship between PFP and psychological well-being. In this study, we aimed to: (1) compare psychological profiles between groups with and without PFP; (2) compare psychological profiles and condition severity between PFP subgroups; and (3) explore relationships between psychological factors and their contribution to disability. We expected to find higher levels of psychological impairment, especially kinesiophobia and catastrophizing in the PFP group. We also expected to identify a sub-group for who worsening levels of disability correspond with worsening psychological well-being.

Methods:

One hundred participants with PFP (72 females, mean±SD age 27±5 years, BMI 25.3±4.8 kg/m2) completed measures of pain, disability, and psychological features (kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, anxiety and depression). Fifty controls, matched by sex, age and activity level (36 females, age 27±5 years, BMI 22.9±4.5 kg/m2) also completed psychological measures. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was used to cluster PFP participants (K-means cluster analysis) into more and less severe sub-groups. Differences between the control and PFP groups were analysed using t-tests, analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U-tests or χ 2 tests as appropriate (p<0.05). Pearson correlations were used to explore relationships between psychological measures. Backward stepwise regression (p out >0.05) evaluated how the psychological factors potentially relate to disability.

Results:

Psychological features did not differ between PFP and pain-free groups. But differences were apparent when the PFP cohort was subgrouped. Compared to controls, the more-severe group had significantly higher levels of depression (MD 1.8, 95% CI 0.8–2.8; p≤0.001) and catastrophizing (MD 5.7, 95% CI 2.4–9; p≤0.001). When compared to less-severe cases, the more-severe group also demonstrated significantly higher levels of kinesiophobia (MD 4.3, 95% CI 2.1–6.5; p≤0.001), depression (MD 1.5 95% CI 0.5–2.6; p=0.01) and catastrophizing (MD 4.9, 95% CI 1–8.8; p=0.01). The weakest relationship between psychological factors was found between kinesiophobia and anxiety (r=0.29; p=0.02). While the strongest relationship existed between depression and anxiety (r=0.52; p≤0.001). Both kinesiophobia (β −0.27, 95% CI −0.265 to −0.274) and depression (β −0.22, 95% CI −0.211 to −0.228) were associated with disability as defined by the KOOS in the regression model (R 2=0.17, p≤0.001).

Conclusions:

Those with more-severe PFP-related disability have higher levels of psychological impairment than less-severe cases. Kinesiophobia seems to stand as an important factor in the experience of PFP, because it was elevated in the PFP group, significantly differed between the PFP sub-groups and contributed to explaining disability. Contrary to our hypothesis, levels of catastrophizing in the PFP group and severe sub-group were low and seemingly not important.

Implications:

These findings draw attention to psychological factors to which clinicians assessing PFP should show vigilance. They also highlight psychological impairments that might be worthwhile targets in optimising PFP management.

Factors associated with the prevalence of back pain and work absence in shipyard workers

Background

We conducted a questionnaire survey of shipyard workers to identify difficulties experienced due to orthopedic or musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods

The subjects were 375 workers (male, 361; female, 14) who worked for a single shipbuilding company. Questionnaire items covered the working environment, including work environment, working posture, and the weight of objects that the subject dealt with, as well as physical and lifestyle characteristics, namely smoking habits, drinking habits, sleeping hours, medications, exercise habits, and any weight gain of 20 kg or more since the age of 20. Subjects were also asked to indicate if they regularly experienced any of 17 listed difficulties in their daily lives, and to use an illustration of the human body to mark any body parts that were painful or hard to move.

Results

The mean age was 41.8 years (19–73 years). The lower and/or upper back was the most frequent site of pain (46.5%), followed by the shoulders (11.4%), knees (9.6%), and neck (5.3%). Maintaining a half-sitting posture was the most problematic activity of daily living. Back pain was less frequent in subjects who exercised regularly, and more common in those who worked with heavy loads or in narrow spaces. A multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that absence from work was more common in subjects with back pain who had gained weight since their youth, who smoked, who used fire while welding metal, or who worked in a lying posture. While 35.4% of subjects had experienced absence from work due to musculoskeletal pain, only 5.1% were permitted by their employer to alter their work content or reduce their workload.

Conclusions

These results indicate that a large number of shipyard workers have difficulties in their work and daily life activities due to back pain. To prevent worsening of pain and to reduce work absence, it is important to provide appropriate training to minimize the risk factors for back pain that were identified in this study.