An epidemiological study of low back pain in professional drivers

Bovenzi, Massimo; Rui, Francesca; Negro, Corrado; D’Agostin, Flavia; Angotzi, Giuliano; Bianchi, Sandra; Bramanti, Lucia; Festa, GianLuca; Gatti, Silvana; Pinto, Iole; Rondina, Livia; Stacchini, Nicola

Affiliations

¹Unità Clinica Operativa di Medicina del Lavoro, Dipartimento di Scienze di Medicina Pubblica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti di Trieste”, Università di Trieste, Centro Tumori, Via della Pietà 19, I-34129 Trieste, Italy

²Departments of Prevention, National Health Service, Tuscany and Liguria Regions, Italy

Abstract

The prevalence of low back pain (LBP) was investigated in 598 Italian professional drivers exposed to whole-body vibration (WBV) and ergonomic risk factors (drivers of earth moving machines, fork-lift truck drivers, truck drivers, bus drivers). The control group consisted of a small sample of 30 fire inspectors not exposed to WBV. Personal, occupational and health histories were collected by means of a structured questionnaire. Vibration measurements were performed on representative samples of the machines and vehicles used by the driver groups. From the vibration magnitudes and exposure durations, alternative measures of vibration dose were estimated for each subject. Daily vibration exposure, expressed in terms of 8-h energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration, A(8), averaged 0.28–0.61 (range 0.10–1.18) m s⁻² rms in the driver groups. Duration of exposure to WBV ranged between 1 and 41 years. The 7-day and 12-month prevalence of LBP was greater in the driver groups than in the controls. In the professional drivers, the occurrence of 12-month LBP, high intensity of LBP (Von Korff pain scale score ⩾5), and LBP disability (Roland & Morris disability scale score ⩾12) sig nificantly increased with increasing cumulative vibration exposure. Even though several alternative measures of vibration exposure were associated with LBP outcomes, nevertheless a more regular trend of association with LBP was found for vibration dose expressed as ∑a_vit_i (m s⁻² h), in which the frequency-weighted acceleration, av, and lifetime exposure duration, t, were given equal weight. In multivariate data analysis, individual characteristics (e.g. age, body mass index) and a physical load index (derived from combining manual materials handling and awkward postures) were significantly associated with LBP outcomes, while psychosocial work factors (e.g. job decision, job support) showed a marginal relation to LBP. This study tends to confirm that professional driving in industry is associated with an increased risk of work-related LBP. Exposure to WBV and physical loading factors at work are important components of the multifactorial origin of LBP in professional drivers.

Links

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsv.2006.06.001

WoS: 000241056500005

History

Received: 2006-04-29

Revised: 2006-05-09

Accepted: 2006-06-08

Online: 2006-07-25

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Cited By (14)

Year	Entry
2008	Paschold HW. Pilot study of whole-body vibration in fully automated residential solid waste collection. In: Proceedings of the 2nd American Conference on Human Vibration. June 4-6, 2008; Chicago, IL.32-33.
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2016	Pettersson H, Burstrom L, Aminoff A, Manttari S, Rintamaki H, Rodin I, Vaktskjold A. Whole-body vibration and self-reported musculoskeletal complaints among drivers of mining vehicles. In: Proceedings of the 6th American Conference on Human Vibration. June 8-10, 2016; Milwaukee, WI.66-67.
2018	Ryou HF, Johnson PW. Assessment of whole-body vibration exposures among garbage truck drivers. In: Proceedings of the 7th American Conference on Human Vibration. June 13-15, 2018; Seattle, WA.50-51.
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2019	Goggins KA, Tarabini M, Lievers WB, Eger TR. Biomechanical response of the human foot when standing in a natural position while exposed to vertical vibration from 10–200 Hz. Ergonomics. May 2019;6(5):644-656.
2013	Goggins KA. Foot-Transmitted Vibration: Exposure Characteristics and the Biodynamic Response of the Foot [Master's thesis]. Sudbury, Ontario: Laurentian University; 2013.
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2019	Goggins KA. Measuring and Modelling Human Response to Foot-Transmitted Vibration Exposure [PhD thesis]. Sudbury, ON: Laurentian University; 2019.
2015	Solbiati S. Human Body Response to Multi-Axial Dynamical Vibrations [PhD thesis]. Milano, Italy: Politecnico Di Milano; January 2015.
2019	Maugeri S. Modelling the Response of the Human Feet to Vertical Whole-Body Vibration [Master's thesis]. Lecco, Italy: Politecnico Di Milano; 2019.
2012	Jack RJ. Investigating Whole-Body Vibration Injuries in Forestry Skidder Operators: Combining Operator Vibration Exposures and Postures in the Field With Biodynamic Responses in the Laboratory [PhD thesis]. Guelph, ON: University of Guelph; January 2012.
2008	Slota GP. Effects of Seated Whole-Body Vibration on Spinal Stability Control [PhD thesis]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; 2008.