The effectiveness of a lumbopelvic monitor and feedback device to change postural behavior: a feasibility randomized controlled trial.
STUDY DESIGN
Feasibility randomized controlled trial.


OBJECTIVES
To assess the feasibility of a trial to investigate the effectiveness of a lumbopelvic monitor as a feedback device for modifying postural behavior during daily work-related activities.


BACKGROUND
Frequent or sustained flexed postures play a role in the development or maintenance of nonspecific low back pain. The provision of postural feedback could help individuals with or at risk of nonspecific low back pain improve their postural awareness and avoid hazardous or pain-provoking postures.


METHODS
Sixty-two participants employed in a health care organization were randomly allocated into 1 of 3 groups: a control group, an intermittent feedback group, and a constant feedback group. Adherence and follow-up rates were assessed. Differences in postural pattern between baseline and follow-up measurements were used to assess the effectiveness of the lumbopelvic monitor as a postural feedback device.


RESULTS
Adherence was approximately 75%. With the exception of 1 center, the follow-up overall rates exceeded the a priori desired threshold of 80%. Within-group comparisons revealed no significant differences in postural pattern for the control group and intermittent feedback group. The constant feedback group showed a significant reduction in flexed posture at the follow-up period compared with the baseline period. Differences between groups did not reach statistical significance; however, the constant feedback group, compared with the control group, demonstrated an effect size (d) of 0.60.


CONCLUSION
The provision of constant postural feedback seems promising for promoting changes in postural behavior. This feasibility trial identified adherence and follow-up rates and sample-size estimates important to the conduct of a fully powered efficacy trial. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 2b-.
['Ribeiro|Daniel Cury|DC|', 'Sole|Gisela|G|', 'Abbott|J Haxby|JH|', 'Milosavljevic|Stephan|S|']
D061725:Accelerometry D005240:Feasibility Studies D056228:Feedback, Sensory D005260:Female D005500:Follow-Up Studies D006801:Humans D017116:Low Back Pain D008161:Lumbosacral Region D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D010349:Patient Compliance D010388:Pelvis D011187:Posture D014937:Work
posture low back pain biofeedback lumbar spine