Evidence update on back supports

We are often asked whether back supports/braces are effective in preventing back pain in the workplace. This is often brought on by a marketing effort to sell these devices. Fortunately most of the enquiries (but not all!) come before companies have spent many dollars on them. Our advice has always been to save your money for other things, such as a decent risk assessment (for more advice please email me: david.allen@qoh.com.au)

A recent systematic review by Poppel et al in Holland [1] confirms our view, and should put the matter to rest. They looked at randomized controlled trials of lumbar supports. They concluded that there is no evidence for the effectiveness of lumbar supports in the primary prevention of low back pain in the workplace. They did find that there was some evidence for exercise in prevention of back pain.

Various authorities have made similar conclusions in the past. Save your money rather than using back braces! Feel free to send this update on to colleagues.

Please contact Dr David Allen for more information, or assistance with risk assessments or ergonomics on 98977699 or david.allen@qoh.com.au.

Reference:

1. van Poppel, M.N., W.E. Hooftman, and B.W. Koes, An update of a systematic review of controlled clinical trials on the primary prevention of back pain at the workplace. Occup Med (Lond), 2004. 54(5): p. 345-52.