title: Can standing back extension exercise improve or prevent low back pain in Japanese care workers?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We suggested a standing back extension exercise 'One Stretch' based on the McKenzie method, to examine the ability to improve or prevent low back pain (LBP) in Japanese care workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a single-center, non-randomized, controlled study in Japan. Care workers in an intervention group received an exercise manual and a 30-minute seminar on LBP and were encouraged with a group approach, while care workers in a control group were given only the manual. All care workers answered questionnaires at the baseline and end of a 1-year study period. The subjective improvement of LBP and compliance with the exercise were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 64 workers in the intervention group and 72 in the control group participated in this study. More care workers in the intervention group exercised regularly and improved or prevented LBP than in the control group (P = 0·003 and P<0·0001, respectively). In the intervention group, none had a first medical consultation or were absent from disability for LBP by the end of the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exercise 'One Stretch' would be effective to improve or prevent LBP in care workers. Our group approach would lead to better compliance with the exercise.
authors.forename: Ko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsudaira
authors.affiliation: Kohoen Social Community Service Yonago, Tottori, Japan.
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiroe
authors.affiliation: Kohoen Social Community Service Yonago, Tottori, Japan.
authors.forename: Masatomo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kikkawa
authors.affiliation: Clinical Study Support Inc., Nagoya Life Science Incubator, Chikusa-ku, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.affiliation: Clinical Study Support Inc., Nagoya Life Science Incubator, Chikusa-ku, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Isomura
authors.affiliation: Department of Joint Disease Research 22nd Century Medical and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oka
authors.affiliation: Kohoen Social Community Service Yonago, Tottori, Japan.
authors.forename: Kou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hiroe
authors.affiliation: Kohoen Social Community Service Yonago, Tottori, Japan.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hiroe
keywords: Care worker; Low back pain; McKenzie method; Population strategy; Prevention; Standing back extension