[Low back pain among video-terminal workers: ergonomic postural interventions]. / Efficacia di un intervento ergonomico sulla postura lavorativa e sul mal di schiena nei videoterminalisti.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Several studies report a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among video-terminal (VDT) workers. Targeted ergonomic interventions can help reduce the burden. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the long-term efficacy of an ergonomic postural intervention to address LBP among VDT workers. STUDY DESIGN: Non-randomized, crossover trial. POPULATION AND SETTING: Four hundred employees working in the administrative offices of the two main buildings of the town hall ofForlì who used VDTs for at least 20 hours a week; we randomly selected 100 participants from each building. INTERVENTION Ergonomic adjustment of the VDT workstation design. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in prevalence of LBP and work-related posture. RESULTS: The ergonomic adjustment of the workstation improved work-related posture and reduced LBP in VDT operators who benefited from the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A personalized ergonomic prevention intervention can improve work-related posture and LBP for VDT workers.