ELECTRONIC REVIEW

Psychosocial factors at work in relation to low back pain and consequences of low back pain; a systematic, critical review of prospective cohort studies

J Hartvigsen¹, S Lings², C Leboeuf-Yde³, L Bakketeig⁴

¹ Nordic Institute of Chiropractic and Clinical Biomechanics, Klosterbakken 20, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
² Odense University Hospital, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
³ The Medical Research Unit in Ringkøbing County, Torvet 1, 6950 Ringkøbing, Denmark
⁴ University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Public Health, Epidemiology, Sdr. Boulevard 23A, 5000 Odense C

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr J Hartvigsen
Senior Researcher, Nordic Institute of Chiropractic and Clinical Biomechanics, Klosterbakken 20, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; j.hartvigsen{at}nikkb.dk

Relevant studies of low back pain (LBP) published between 1990 and 2002 were systematically retrieved via electronic databases and checking of reference lists. Forty papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 10 were of high quality. A wide variety of instruments had been used for collection of data on work related psychosocial factors, many of which had not undergone any form of validation. Moderate evidence was found for no association between LBP and perception of work, organisational aspects of work, and social support at work. There was insufficient evidence for a positive association between stress at work and LBP. No conclusions could be drawn regarding perception of work and consequences of LBP. There was strong evidence for no association between organisational aspects of work and moderate evidence for no association between social support at work and stress at work and consequences of LBP.

Keywords: job satisfaction; low back pain; psychosocial factors; review; social support; stress

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Macfarlane, G J, Pallewatte, N, Paudyal, P, Blyth, F M, Coggon, D, Crombez, G, Linton, S, Leino-Arjas, P, Silman, A J, Smeets, R J, van der Windt, D (2009). Evaluation of work-related psychosocial factors and regional musculoskeletal pain: results from a EULAR Task Force. Ann Rheum Dis 68: 885-891 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Iles, R A, Davidson, M, Taylor, N F (2008). Psychosocial predictors of failure to return to work in non-chronic non-specific low back pain: a systematic review. Occup. Environ. Med. 65: 507-517 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Dawson, A. P, McLennan, S. N, Schiller, S. D, Jull, G. A, Hodges, P. W, Stewart, S. (2007). Interventions to prevent back pain and back injury in nurses: a systematic review. Occup. Environ. Med. 64: 642-650 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Bergstrom, G., Bodin, L., Bertilsson, H., Jensen, I. B (2007). Risk factors for new episodes of sick leave due to neck or back pain in a working population. A prospective study with an 18-month and a three-year follow-up. Occup. Environ. Med. 64: 279-287 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Van Nieuwenhuyse, A, Somville, P R, Crombez, G, Burdorf, A, Verbeke, G, Johannik, K, Van den Bergh, O, Masschelein, R, Mairiaux, P., Moens, G F, the BelCoBack Study Group, (2006). The role of physical workload and pain related fear in the development of low back pain in young workers: evidence from the BelCoBack Study; results after one year of follow up. Occup. Environ. Med. 63: 45-52 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Palmer, K. T., Calnan, M., Wainwright, D., Poole, J., O'Neill, C., Winterbottom, A., Watkins, C., Coggon, D. (2005). Disabling musculoskeletal pain and its relation to somatization: a community-based postal survey. Occup Med (Lond) 55: 612-617 [Abstract] [Full Text]