A Nonrandomized Trial of Comprehensive Body Mechanics for ‎Nurses with Low Back Pain and Disability

Aims: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSDs) is a major health problem among many professionals in the developing countries. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of comprehensive body mechanics on pain and disability among nurses with low back pain.
In this study, quantitative, pre-experimental one group pre-test post-test design was used. 144 nurses working in male, female surgical and orthopaedic wards, adult ICU and post-operative ICU, with mild and moderate level of low back pain and disability were selected, using consecutive sampling technique. The outcome variables were measured, using Numerical Pain intensity scale and Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire. The intervention was comprehensive body mechanics, in which the researcher provided video assisted teaching on ideal body mechanics for 5 minutes followed by demonstration of lower back rehabilitation exercises by video for 15 minutes. Return demonstration and practice of lower back rehabilitation exercises was carried out by the nurses daily for 15minutes for 10 days, under the supervision of the researcher. On the 3rd day, a pamphlet was distributed followed by assessment of the effectiveness of the intervention on the 10th day. The collected data were analysed by SPSS 17 software, using Paired t-test Pearson correlation coefficient.
Findings: There was a statistically significant difference before and after the intervention on pain (t =17.18; p Comprehensive body mechanics is effective in reducing pain and disability among nurses with low back pain.