Effects of Exercise and Back Counselling for Nurses

Comparative Effects of Exercise and Back Counselling on Improving Low Back Pain for Nurses

Low back pain (LBP) is most common occupational health problem among nurses. Therefore, how to prevent and reduce low back pain have been the important issue for nurses. A Quasi-Experimental design is used in this study to compare the effectiveness of 12-week exercise and counselling program to reduce low back pain in nursing personnel compared with counselling alone.

A Quasi-Experimental design is used in this study. Purposive sampling is used to recruit participants from medical center in Central Taiwan. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: (1) exercise and back counselling, and (2) back counselling only. The results of this study will provide a guideline for nurses to prevent and to improve low back pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Has worked at current job for at least 12 months;
2. Intensity of low back pain on Visual Analogue Scale (scale 0-10) at least two during the past 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Serious former back injury (fracture, surgery, disc protrusion);
2. Pregnant;
3. Other serious disease or symptoms that limit participation exercise defined by a physician.