A prospective, cluster-randomized controlled trial of exercise program to prevent low back pain in office workers

563 full-time office workers with limited trunk extension range of motion and trunk muscle endurance were randomized to either undergo a 12-month, home-based exercise program (focusing on trunk muscle stretching and endurance exercises), or not. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this exercise program had an effect on the incidence of low back pain (LBP), as well as pain severity, disability and quality of life in those with LBP. Results indicated that, although the exercise intervention used in this study significantly decreased the risk for LBP in office workers by 60%, it had no significant effect on pain intensity, disability, or quality of life among those with LBP.