The effect of daily walking steps on preventing neck and low back pain in sedentary workers: a 1-year prospective cohort study

摘要

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between daily walking steps and the 1-year incidence of neck and low back pain in workers with sedentary jobs.MethodsA 1-year prospective study was carried out among 387 workers who reported no spinal symptoms in the previous 3?months with pain intensity greater than 30?mm on a 100-mm visual analog scale. Data were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire, physical examination, and pedometer. Follow-up data were collected every month for the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders and every 3?months for daily walking steps. Two regression models were built to analyze the effect of daily walking steps on the 1-year incidence of neck and low back pain.ResultsAmong 367 (95?%) participants followed for 1?year, 16 and 14?% reported incident neck and low back pain, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, a negative association between daily walking steps and onset of neck pain was found. Increasing daily walking steps by 1,000 reduced the risk of neck pain by 14?%. No significant association between daily walking steps and the onset of low back pain was found.ConclusionsIncreasing daily walking steps is a protective factor for onset of neck pain in those with sedentary jobs. Interventions to reduce neck pain should include attempts to increase daily walking steps...