Objective Brief Description:Low back disorders (LBD) are one of the major health problems in Europe. The multidimensional outcome of LBD concerns signs, symptoms and functions. A consensus on a valid standard measurement, which is the state of the art in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases does not exist for the classification of LBD. The measurements differ in respect to professional, personal and local preferences. As a consequence, risk characterisations or recommendations for a specific prevention at the workplace suffer from lack of comparison. However, the repeatability of specific measurements used in different countries and by different professions is accessible and will be analysed.The study comprises of three components. First, the listed relevant European studies on measurements of LBD will be reviewed in respect to measurements used and repeatability of the measurements. Second, additional repeatability studies of measurements applied in the listed studies will be selected and performed. Third, a consensus on a core instrument of LBD will be developed on the basis of the review, the additional analysis and discussions within the participants of the Concerted Action and external experts.The task of developing a harmonised standard measurement for LBD can only be achieved effectively in co-operation. Several sites within Europe have a strong holding in work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Relevant research groups from different European countries with access to previous and ongoing studies on LBD have agreed to contribute to the planned Concerted Action. Thus, the present situation provides a unique chance to agree on a core instrument for the measurement of LBD.The results of the standardization can be implemented immediately among the working population. On the basis of the standardized measurement the evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of ergonomic interventions will be improved. Comparison of the results from different European studies on work-related risk will be facilitated.Keywords: Low back pain, reliability, measurement, musculoskeletal disorders, prevention, risk factors, repeatability, validityBackground:Low back disorders (LBD) are one of the major health problems in Europe. The multidimensional outcome of LBD concerns signs, symptoms and functions. A consensus on a valid standard measurement, which is the state of the art in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases does not exist for the classification of LBD. The measurements differ in respect to professional, personal and local preferences. As a consequence, risk characterisations or recommendations for a specific prevention at the workplace suffer from lack of comparison. However, the repeatability of specific measurements used indifferent countries and by different professions is accessable.Objectives: the proposed study describes a co-operative European approach to standardise the measurement of signs, symptoms and functions of LBD. The proposed Concerted Action will facilitate the evaluation of LBD both in respect to the epidemiological assessment of occupational risk factors and in respect to the cost-effectiveness of interventions at the work place (area 4.5.6).Study Design: The study comprises of three components. First, the listed relevant European studies on measurements of LBD will be reviewed in respect to measurements used and repeatability of the measurements. Second, additional repeatability studies of measurements applied in the listed studies will be selected and performed. Third, a consensus on a core instrument of LBD will be developed on the basis of the review, the additional analysis and discussions within the participants of the Concerted Action and external experts.Task for Concerted Action: The task of developing a harmonised standard measurement for LBD can only be achieved effectively in co-operation. Several sites within Europe have a strong holding in work related musculoskeletal disorders. Relevant research groups from different European countries with access to previous and ongoing studies on LBD have agreed to contribute to the planned Concerted Action. Thus, the present situation provides a unique chance to agree on a core instrument for the measurement of LBD.Conclusion: The results of the standardisation can be implemented immediately among the working population. On the basis of the standardised measurement the evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of ergonomic interventions will be improved. Comparison of the results from different European studies on work-related risk will be facilitated. If this European approach proves to be successful, the predictive value of the measurements and the validity in terms of the association between signs, symptoms and function (content validity/cross validity) can be investigated in a consecutive study.Keywords: low back pain, reliability, measurement, musculoskeletal disorders, prevention, risk factors, repeatability, validity. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinecardiologycardiovascular diseases Programme(s) FP4-BIOMED 2 - Specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of biomedicine and health, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 4.5.6 - Ergonomics Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CON - Coordination of research actions Coordinator NORDIG Institute for Health Research and Prevention EU contribution No data Address 32,Alte Kollaustrasse 22529 Hamburg Germany See on map Total cost No data
