title: The effectiveness of a lumbopelvic monitor and feedback device to change postural behavior: a feasibility randomized controlled trial.
abstract: METHODS
  Feasibility randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of a trial to investigate the effectiveness of a lumbopelvic monitor as a feedback device for modifying postural behavior during daily work-related activities.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Frequent or sustained flexed postures play a role in the development or maintenance of nonspecific low back pain. The provision of postural feedback could help individuals with or at risk of nonspecific low back pain improve their postural awareness and avoid hazardous or pain-provoking postures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-two participants employed in a health care organization were randomly allocated into 1 of 3 groups: a control group, an intermittent feedback group, and a constant feedback group. Adherence and follow-up rates were assessed. Differences in postural pattern between baseline and follow-up measurements were used to assess the effectiveness of the lumbopelvic monitor as a postural feedback device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adherence was approximately 75%. With the exception of 1 center, the follow-up overall rates exceeded the a priori desired threshold of 80%. Within-group comparisons revealed no significant differences in postural pattern for the control group and intermittent feedback group. The constant feedback group showed a significant reduction in flexed posture at the follow-up period compared with the baseline period. Differences between groups did not reach statistical significance; however, the constant feedback group, compared with the control group, demonstrated an effect size (d) of 0.60.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The provision of constant postural feedback seems promising for promoting changes in postural behavior. This feasibility trial identified adherence and follow-up rates and sample-size estimates important to the conduct of a fully powered efficacy trial. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 2b-.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Daniel Cury
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sole
authors.forename: J Haxby
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Milosavljevic
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010388:Pelvis; D011187:Posture; D014937:Work
keywords: biofeedback; low back pain; lumbar spine; posture