Selected References

Preventive Health Care, 2002 Update: Use of Back Belts to Prevent Occupational Low-Back Pain

Prepared  by C. Ammendolia, DC, MSc, M.S. Kerr, PhD, C. Bombardier, MD, MSc, with the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

These recommendations were finalized by the Task Force in October 2002.

  1. National Work Injuries Statistics Program, Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada. Mississauga, Canada:1999.

  2. Frank JW, Kerr MS, Brooker A, DeMaio S, Maetzel A, Shannon HS et al. Disability resulting from occupational low back pain part I: What do we know about primary prevention?  A review of the scientific evidence on prevention before disability begins. Spine 1996a; 21:2908-17.

  3. Bigos SJ, Bowyer OR, Braen GR, Brown K, Deyo R. Acute low back problems in adults. Clinical Practice Guidelines No.14. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, US Dept. Of Health and Health Services: 1994, Publication No. 95-0642.

  4. Rossignol M, Suissa S, Abenhaim L.  Working disability due to occupational back pain: Three-year follow-up of 2300 compensated workers in Quebec.  J Occup Med 1988; 30:502-5.

  5. Institute of Medicine. Musculoskeletal disorders and the  workplace: Low back and upper extremities, Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2001.

  6. Nachemson A, Vingard E. Influences of individual factors and smoking on neck and low back pain:  In: Nachemsen A, Jonsson E, editors. Neck and back pain: the scientific evidence of causes, diagnosis and treatment. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000b. p.79-95.

  7. Bernard BP, ed. Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors. A critical review of epidemiological evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, NIOSH; 1997.

  8. Kerr MS, Frank JW, Shannon HS, Norman RWK, Wells RP, Neumann WP, Bombardier C. Biomechanical and psychological risk factors for low back pain at work. Am J Public Health 2001; 91(7):1069-75.

  9. Hoogendoorn WE, van Poppel MNM, Bongers PM, Koes BW, Bouter LM. Systematic review of psychosocial factors at work and private life as risk factors for back pain. Spine 2000;25(16):2114-25.

  10. Reddell CR, Congleton JJ, Huchingson RD, Montgomery JF.  An evaluation of a weightlifting belt and back injury prevention training class for airline baggage handlers.  Applied ergonomics 1992;23:319-29.

  11. van Poppel MNM, Koes BW,van der Ploeg T, Smid T, Boutar LM. Lumbar Supports and Education for the Prevention of Low Back Pain in Industry: A Randomised Controlled Trial. JAMA 1998; 279:1789-94.

  12. Alexander A, Woolley SM, Bisesi M, Schaub E. The effectiveness of back belts on occupational back injuries and worker perception. Professional Safety 1995;40(9):22-6.

  13. Walsh NE, Schwartz RK.  The influence of prophylactic orthoses on abdominal strength and low back injury in the workplace. Am J Phys Med Rehab 1990;69:247-50.

  14. Kraus JF, Schaffer KB, Rice T, Maroosis J, Harper J. A field study of back belts to reduce the incidence of acute low back injuries in New York City home attendants. Int J Occup Environ Health 2002;8(2):97-104.

  15. McGill S. Update on the use of back belts in industry: More data- same conclusions. In: W. Karwowski and W. Marras, editors. Occupational Ergonomics Handbook. Boca Raton, Fl: CRC Press; 1999. p.1353-1358

  16. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Workplace Use of Back Belts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services. Pub. No. 94-122; 1994.

  17. Woodhouse ML, McCoy RW, Redondo DR, Shall LM.  Effects of back support on intra-abdominal pressure and lumbar kinetics during heavy lifting.  Human Factors 1995;37(3):582-90.

  18. van Poppel MNM, de Looze MP, Koes BW, Smid T, Bouter LM. Mechanisms of action of lumbar supports. A systematic review. Spine 2000;25(16):2103-13.

  19. Jellema P, van Tulder MW, van Poppel MNM, Nachenson AL, Bouter LM. Lumbar supports for prevention and treatment of low back pain. A systematic review within the framework of the Cochrane Back Review Group. Spine 2001;26(4):377-86.

  20. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Back Belts. Document 0365I.wpf. 250; Aug. 11, 1995.

  21. Wassell JT, Gardner LI, Landsittel DP, Johnston JJ, Johnston JM. A prospective study of back belts for prevention of back pain and injury. JAMA 2000 Dec 6;284(21):2727-32.

  22. OSHA., Ergonomic Program: Final Rule, Federal Register, November 14, 2000:68262-870.