[Risk factors for low back pain among taxi drivers in Japan]

Effect of unilateral exercises on low back pain in an urban driver

[Purpose] This study aimed to develop unilateral exercises for urban drivers and investigate the effect of these exercises on low back pain (LBP). [Subject and Methods] A 40-year-old male driver, who complained of LBP on the left side at L3-5 levels, participated in this study. A two-session program was conducted, and LBP, pelvic tilt angle, and trunk range of motion were measured after each session. [Results] After the unilateral exercises, the anterior pelvic tilt angle was improved and the visual analog scale score of back pain decreased. [Conclusion] Analyzing car features and performing individual approaches are necessary in providing treatment for urban drivers with LBP.

Epidemiological study of low back pain and occupational risk factors among taxi drivers

A survey of taxi drivers was conducted to determine the actual situation of drivers' low back pain (LBP). The survey was carried out in October 2002, the target drivers were asked to complete a questionnaire which contains questions regarding physique of drivers, demographic features, working conditions, office environment, health conditions, the presence of low back pain, the level of low back pain based on Visual Analogue Scale and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire score. As a result, the total number of valid responses was 1,334 and the response rate was 71 percent, and the 1-wk prevalence of LBP was 20.5 percent of respondents. Regarding 275 subjects with LBP, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) averaged 4.3. There was a positive weak correlation between VAS and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire score (R=0.41). And Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between LBP and occupational factors, the results suggested following items as risk factors; such as history of LBP, suffering from fatigue, diseases other than LBP and smoking habit.

Change of paraspinal muscle spindle resting discharge evoked by mechanical vibration

Mechanical vibration is experienced by people in some occupations. Low back pain has been linked to whole body vibration. The resting discharge of 26 paraspinal muscle spindles of anesthetized cats were recorded at L6 dorsal roots before, during and after the application of mechanical vibration at L6 spinous process. Paired student's t-test was used to compare the resting discharge before and after mechanical vibration. After vibration, the mean instantaneous frequency of the resting discharge for most of the muscle spindles (81%) decreased significantly (P<0.01). The average normalized decrease was -9.4%. The coefficient of variation for instantaneous frequency for most muscle spindles (62%) increased significantly (P<0.01). The average normalized increase was 60.5%. The results shed light on changes in proprioceptive input from the low back that can be induced by mechanical vibration.