Seat Inclination, Use of Lumbar Support and Low-Back Pain of Taxi Drivers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Chang C-C ; Chang W-R ; Chen J-C ; Christiani, David C. ; Tigh Dennerlein J
• Description:
  Objectives: Epidemiologic evidence supporting optimal seating is limited and inconsistent. This cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the association between seat inclination, use of lumbar support, and the prevalence of clinically significant low-back pain among taxi drivers Methods: A digital inclinometer was used to measure inclinations of seat surfaces (thetaseat) and backrests (thetaback), and calculate the back-to-thigh angle (thetaback-thigh). Structured interviews were conducted to gather information on the use of lumbar support and the prevalence of low-back pain that had led to medical attention or absence from driving in the past month. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the prevalence odds ratio (OR) with adjustment for age, body mass index, professional seniority, monthly driving hours, and the intensity of exposure to whole-body vibration. Results: Among 224 drivers, the mean thetaseat and thetabackrest were 14.5 (SD 9.6) and 95.1 (SD 2.7) degrees, respectively, resulting in thetaback-thigh of 80.6 (SD 9.3) degrees. Fifty-five percent used a lumbar support regularly, but 25% reportedly had significant low-back pain. The prevalence of low-back pain was 23% among those with thetaback-thigh 91 degrees. The adjusted OR comparing those with a thetaback-thigh of ≤91 degrees to those with a thetaback-thigh of >91 degrees was 5.11 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.07 to approximately 24.4]. For regularly using drivers versus those not using lumbar support, the prevalence of low-back pain was 18% versus 34%, with an adjusted OR of 0.33 (95% CI 0.16 to approximately 0.68). Neither thetaseat nor thetabackrest alone was significantly associated with low-back pain. Conclusions: The epidemiologic observation of this study was consistent with the results of prior biomechanical studies on appropriate seat inclinations and the use of lumbar support. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the true beneficial effects of these seating parameters. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Coal Coal Mining Dust Explosions Mining Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Age Groups Author Keywords: Automobile Driving Biomechanics BMI Body Mass Index Drivers Epidemiology Exposure Levels Humans Low Back Disorders Low Back Pain Men Motor Vehicles Occupational Exposure Posture Regression Analysis Seat Designs Sitting Posture Statistical Analysis Vibration Vibration Exposure Whole Body Vibration Workers

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• ISSN:
  0355-3140
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  258-265
• Volume:
  31
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054775
• Citation:
  Scand J Work Environ Health 2005 Jul; 31(4):258-265
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr David C Christiani, Occupational Health Program, Harvard School of Public Health, Room 1402, HSPH-1, 655 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
• Email:
  dchristi@hsph.harvard.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2005
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19980701
• Source Full Name:
  Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
• End Date:
  20030630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:2233d46dc2ea3b6698530db1c7eb3ac0a3a05a0c5ce1ebb43925a09c7d3a5eaec69cbbdcfa11d10200b0dd7ad9530fad2fb7eb402bdef3059171fe172883c8e8
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217208/cdc_217208_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 164.04 KB ]