Sit-Stand Workstations and Impact on Low Back Discomfort: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Details

• Personal Author:
  Agarwal S ; Harris-Adamson C ; Steinmaus C
• Description:
  Background: Sit-stand workstations are proposed solutions to reduce sedentary time at work. Numerous companies are using them to mitigate health concerns such as musculoskeletal discomfort. Objective: To review the literature on sit-stand workstations and low back discomfort. Method: We conducted a meta-analysis on literature published before 17 November 2016 that addressed the relationship between sit-stand workstations and musculoskeletal discomfort, focusing on the low back. Results: Twelve articles were identified and eight that presented results in means (SD) were included. Among a pain-free population, the standardised mean difference was -0.230 for low back discomfort with use of sit-stand workstations. When applying the SMD to studies using the 10-point pain scale, the effect estimates ranged between -0.30 and -0.51. Conclusion: Sit-stand workstations may reduce low back pain among workers. Further research is needed to help quantify dosage parameters and other health outcomes. Practitioner Summary: In a sedentary population, changing posture may reduce the chance of developing low back pain. The literature lacks studies on specific populations such as those who have pre-existing low back pain and also does not adequately address the dosage of sit-stand time required to help reduce pain. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Body Height Computers Ergonomics Fatigue Men Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety Women Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Activity Levels Author Keywords: Sit-stand Workstation Back Pain Biomechanics Computer Equipment Equipment Design Height Adjustable Workstation Height Factors Human Factors Engineering Humans Low Back Disorders Low Back Pain Lower Extremities MSD Muscles Musculoskeletal Discomfort Musculoskeletal System Disorders Office Environments Pain Tolerance Physiological Effects Physiological Fatigue Physiological Function Posture Sedentary Lifestyle Sit-stand Desk Systematic Reviews Task Performance Work Environment Workers

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• ISSN:
  0014-0139
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  61
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20052774
• Citation:
  Ergonomics 2018 Apr; 61(4):538-552
• Contact Point Address:
  Carisa Harris-Adamson, Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
• Email:
  Carisa.harris-adamson@ucsf.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• Performing Organization:
  University of California, Berkeley
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:3caab7ab6a3ee5314e358ef1d241c27a91b27797cbbd106ff4b9fbf14e30c08994c59aa489a93482f69c8efe3039e62cae4d452b60f87ae013951b77da511476
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/212249/cdc_212249_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.90 MB ]