Specific flexion-related low back pain and sitting: comparison of seated discomfort on two different chairs

Abstract

No study has examined the effectiveness of prescribing seating modifications according to the individual clinical presentation of people with low back pain (LBP). A dynamic, forward-inclined chair (‘Back App’) can reduce seated paraspinal muscle activation among pain-free participants. This study examined 21 participants whose LBP was specifically aggravated by prolonged sitting and was eased by standing. Low back discomfort (LBD) and overall body discomfort (OBD) were assessed every 15 min while participants sat for 1 h on both the dynamic, forward-inclined chair and a standard office chair. LBD increased significantly more (p = 0.005) on the standard office chair, with no significant difference (p = 0.178) in OBD between the chairs. The results demonstrate that, in a specific flexion-related subgroup of people with LBP, increased LBD during sitting can be minimised through modifying chair design. Mechanisms that minimise seated discomfort may be of relevance in LBP management, as part of a biopsychosocial management plan.

Practitioner summary: This study examined low back discomfort (LBD) during a typing task among people with low back pain (LBP). Sitting on a dynamic, forward-inclined chair resulted in less seated LBD than sitting on a standard office chair. Further research is required to examine the long-term effectiveness of ergonomics interventions in LBP.

Keywords:

• back pain
• office ergonomics
• biomechanics
• seating

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Back App, who provided the chair, and part-funded completion of the study. One author (KOS) received funds by a research fellowship from the Health Research Board of Ireland. One author (MOK) was supported by a bursary from the Occupational Health and Ergonomics clinical interest group of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.