Musculoskeletal Disorders
New Systematic Evidence Review
On 29 November the BOHRF Board agreed to fund a systematic evidence review, “Evaluating the impact of back, neck and upper limb pain on work performance and absence”. This will interrogate the database referred to on our “Performance at Work” page in order to:
- Summarise the evidence on the overall impact of back, neck and upper limb pain on work performance and absence.
- Assess the separate impacts of back, neck and upper limb pain on work performance and absence.
- Describe the range of outcome measures, used to assess work performance for people with these conditions.
- Evaluate the measures found in terms of their reliability and validity.
This work is expected to start in June. It will probably take 12 months to complete.
Back Pain Evidence Review & Lay Evidence Summary
203 kb pdf file
The application of the findings of this award-winning research should enable substantial reductions in time off work due to lower back pain.
This work addressed key questions about the major category of occupational ill health in the UK and delivered the answers to GPs, line managers, and employees. A separate summary of the evidence provided answers for occupational physicians based on that evidence.
Review and analysis of world-wide literature for evidence resulted in answers which have had substantial impact on subsequent practice.
- What is the best option for someone suffering lower back pain?
- What is the best option for someone off work with lower back pain?
- What is the best option for someone who has been off work over four weeks with lower back pain?
- Is there a reliable way to predict who might get back pain?
- Do lumbar supports help those at risk of lower back injury?
In addition to winning the BUPA Occupational Health Award for 2000, the vision of the project was commended by the then Minister for Public Health, Yvette Cooper.
The European COST Action B13 'Low Back Pain: Guidelines for its Management'
ran from 2000 to 2004. The guidelines can be downloaded by clicking on the 'results (guidelines)' tab.
The main objectives were:
- to develop and produce European evidence-based guidelines for the management of acute low back pain in primary care
- to develop and produce European evidence-based guidelines for the management of chronic low back pain in primary care
- to develop and produce European evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of low back pain in primary care
- to develop and produce European guidelines for the management of pelvic girdle pain
- to promote implementation of these guidelines
To ensure an evidence-based approach, recommendations are based on Cochrane and other systematic reviews and on existing national guidelines. The guidelines should:
- help healthcare providers to make evidence-based decisions
- improve the quality and outcome of health care
- lead to a more rational and efficient use of resources
- identify gaps in the existing scientific evidence in order to prioritise future research
Please note that this was not a BOHRF funded project; it is included here by kind permission of Professor Kim Burton.
Last Update: 28-Jan-2008