Bio-psychosocial factors are associated with pain intensity, physical functioning, and ability to work in female healthcare personnel with recurrent low back pain
Annika Taulaniemi, Lotta Kuusinen, Kari Tokola, Markku Kankaanpää, Jaana H. Suni
The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland. E-mail: annika.taulaniemi@uta.fi
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2261
Lay Abstract
Among people with low back pain in 10% it becomes chronic. Thus, it is important to understand factors influencing the early stages of low back pain. We investigated associations between different physical and psychosocial factors among 219 female health-care workers with recurrent non-specific low back pain. Women with high work-related fear of pain and tiredness at low back after work experienced more pain, and reported lower physical functioning and work ability. Those with low fitness level experienced more lumbar tiredness.
In clinical practise, assessing fear-avoidance believes and levels of work-induced lumbar exertion might help in targeting preventive measures such as back counselling and exercise to tackle the risk of prolonged low back pain.
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