An epidemiological study of low back pain in professional drivers

• Published in: Journal of sound and vibration Vol. 298; no. 3; pp. 514 - 539
• Main Authors: 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
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanics. Biorheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Physics; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics; Vibration, mechanical wave, dynamic stability (aeroelasticity, vibration control...); Human; Data analysis; Vibration; Decision support system; Low back pain; Vibration measurement; Durability; Physical mass; Multivariate analysis; Occupational exposure; Epidemiology; Vibrometer; Weight; Posture; Biomechanics; Vehicle driver; Lifetime; Ergonomics; Lorry; Lift truck; Construction equipment; Whole body; Root mean square value
• ISSN: 0022-460X; 1095-8568
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsv.2006.06.001

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) significantly 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, a v , 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.