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Contenido archivado el 2022-11-21

Longitudinal study of the incidence of low back pain of the variation in the functional capacities of workers

Objetivo

The research, which will be carried out on a group of steelworkers who are less than 35 years old and who have no previous history of low back pain, is designed to :

- examine to what extend the first onset of low back pain is preceded by a deterioration in the individual's state of health, and in particular by a worsening of a certain of his functional capacities
- assess the usefulness of standardized tests for measuring lumbar mobility and muscular capacity, in the context of the medical surveillance of these workers.

The research will comprise two successive phases :

- the definition of the population to be studied and the functional reference tests during the first year,
- the follow-up proper over the next two years.

The first phase will consist of a retrospective medical investigation, which will be supplemented by a questionnaire and functional examination of the spinal columns of workers who meet the pre-determined criteria.

The prospective study will look at workers who are less than 35 years old, who are subject to periodic medical surveillance, and who do not have a previous history of serious low back pain.

METHODS AND MEANS BY WHICH THE AIMS ARE TO BE ACHIEVED

The questionnaire will be designed to provide the following information on each worker :

. previous history of low back disorders;
. any other health problems;
. aspects of the worker's social life which may constitute a stress factor,
. the nature of the work carried out and the strains involved.

The functional examination of the spinal column will include measurements of the following :
. lumbar mobility during sagittal and lateral flexion, and during extension,
. a modified lassègue manoeuvre designed to reveal any contracture of the ischiofemoral muscles, and to assess the degrees of voluntary effort on the part of the subject when . lumbar mobility during flexion and extension is being measured;
. muscular endurance of the trunk extensor muscles;
. two psychophysical tests of load handling capacity :

- the load considered acceptable for a dynamic lift
- the lifting force considered acceptable during isometric exertion.

The follow-up will record all changes in the state of health and/or of the work station or type of work, and also, of course, include a further specific medical examination accompanied by the series of functional tests.

Tema(s)

Data not available

Convocatoria de propuestas

Data not available

Régimen de financiación

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinador

Université Catholique de Louvain
Aportación de la UE
Sin datos
Dirección
Clos Chapelle aux Champs, 30-38
1200 BRUXELLES
Bélgica

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Coste total
Sin datos