The positive effect on determinants of physical activity of a tailored, general practice-based physical activity intervention

PACE (Physician-based Assessment and Counseling for Exercise) is an individualized theory-based minimal intervention strategy aimed at the enhancement of regular physical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a PACE intervention applied by general practitioners (GPs) on potential determinants of physical activity. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 29 general practices with the following inclusion criteria for patients: aged between 18 and 70 years, diagnosed with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and/or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and not in maintenance stage for regular physical activity. The intervention consisted of two visits with the GP and two telephone booster calls by a physical activity counselor. Determinants of physical activity were assessed with questionnaires at baseline, and at 8-week (short), 6-month (medium) and 1-year (long) follow-up. A significant positive effect was observed on self-efficacy, and on the use of cognitive and behavioral processes of change, at both short- and medium-term follow-up. The intervention respondents also perceived fewer barriers for regular physical activity at short-term and used behavioral processes of change more at long-term follow-up. No intervention effect was observed for perceived benefits of physical activity. In conclusion, this GP-based PACE intervention resulted in positive changes in potential determinants of physical activit

Physical load during work and leisure time as risk factors for back pain [review]

systematic review assessed aspects of physical load during work and leisure time as risk factors for back pain. It is based on a strict systematic approach to identify and summarize the evidence, comparable with that applied in the clinical literature on the efficacy of intervention for back pain. A computerized bibliographical search was made of several databases for studies with a cohort or case-referent design. Cross-sectional studies were excluded. A rating system was used to assess the strength of the evidence, based on the methodological quality of 28 cohort and 3 case-referent studies and the consistency of the findings. Strong evidence exists for manual materials handling, bending and twisting, and whole-body vibration as risk factors for back pain. The evidence was moderate for patient handling and heavy physical work, and no evidence was found for standing or walking, sitting, sports, and total leisure-time physical activity. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Geen meetbaar effect van tilgordel en tilinstructies ter preventie van lage rugklachten op de werkplek: een gerandomiseerde, gecontroleerde trial.

Objective. To assess the efficacy of lumbar supports and education in the prevention of low back pain in industry. Design. A randomized controlled trial with a factorial design. Method. In the Cargo Department of the Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) 312 workers were randomly assigned to four groups after informed consent: education (lifting instructions) and lumbar support, education only, lumbar support only, and no intervention (control group). Of 282 workers data were available for the six-month follow-up period. Education consisted of three group sessions on lifting techniques with a total duration of 5 hours. Lumbar supports were used for six months during working hours. Back pain incidence and sick leave due to back pain during the intervention period were recorded. Results. Compliance with wearing the lumbar support was 43%. Overall, no statistically significant differences in back pain incidence or in sick leave due to back pain were found between the study groups. In a subgroup of subjects with back pain at baseline, lumbar supports reduced the number of days with back pain per month (median of 1.2 versus 6.5 days per month; p = 0.03). Conclusion. Overall, lumbar supports or education did not lead to a reduction in back pain incidence or sick leave. The results of the subgroup analysis need to be confirmed by further research. Based on our results, the use of education or lumbar supports cannot be recommended in the prevention of back pain in industry