Learning effects of a back education program.

STUDY DESIGN

This study involved a post-test only, control group design.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the learning effects of back education programs (video and classroom learning).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Previous research has examined lost work time and workers compensation costs but has not addressed the learning effects of back schools. This study used the American Back School as the education intervention. The American Back School teaches students to maintain the lumbarlordosis while lifting.

METHODS

The subjects (n = 205) were assigned to three groups through modified randomization. Three employees who previously sustained low back injury were placed in the back school group. The back school group, Group 1, (n = 74) attended a back school program that included cognitive learning strategies and practice in correct lifting. A video group, Group II, (n =64) viewed a similar program that consisted of spinal anatomy and biomechanics and instruction in correct lifting technique. A control group, Group III, (n = 67) received no back education. One week after the education intervention, 145 of the subjects from the three groups had the lumbar lordosis measured with a flexible ruler while assuming a lifting position. The ruler was placed over the lumbar spinous processes, and the lordotic angle was calculated A 12-item multiple choice test and a 10-item. Likert scale were administrated to 199 of the subjects in the three groups to determine the cognitive learning effect and the perceived relevance of the program, respectively.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis of variance was used and demonstrated significant differences between the back school group and the control group on the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective measures at the 0.001 level. No significant differences were found between the video and control groups on the measures with additional univariate testing.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the back school is an effective tool for influencing lifting posture and conveying information regarding spinal mechanics and lifting technique. In addition, the back school videos may not be an effective means of preventing low back injury.