Abstract
An educational program which emphasized the symmetrical use of back muscles was studied at a health care facility which had extremely high time lost injury rates due to back strains. Participants (N=180) were involved with half studying an educational program entitled “Back to Balance” with the remainder serving as controls. After 3 months, the controls studied the program. All subjects completed psychological tests, received cervical and lumbar paraspinal dynamic EMG evaluations four times (pre-and post-treatment, and after 3 and 12 months). Administrative indices (costs, incidence, and time lost injury rate) were obtained for the 3 years prior to the study and for the 1 year of the study. The 1-year results showed decreased pain, retained knowledge which was generalized to the home, and significantly improved symmetry of both sets of muscles. Administrative data revealed a 72% decrease in the time lost injury rate with reduced costs.
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Stuart Donaldson, C., Stanger, L.M., Donaldson, M.W. et al. A randomized crossover investigation of a back pain and disability prevention program: Possible mechanisms of change. J Occup Rehab 3, 83–94 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01078161
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01078161