Effect of foot orthoses on balance among individuals with flatfoot: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Individuals with flatfoot have impaired proprioception owing to ligament laxity and impaired tendons, which can result in poor balance. Foot orthoses (FOs) have been reported to stimulate plantar mechanical receptors and are used to manage foot overpronation in individuals with flatfoot. However, the results of the use of FOs to improve balance are inconsistent. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to identify and investigate the effects of FOs on balance in individuals with flatfoot. Electronic databases were searched for articles published before March 2023. Peer-reviewed journal studies that included adult participants with flexible flatfoot and reported the effects of FOs on balance were included and classified based on the study design: randomized control trials (RCT) and non-RCTs. Four RCT studies were retained, and their methodological quality was assessed (mean, 63.2%; range 47.3%-73.1%: high), as were three non-RCT studies (mean, 54.1%; range, 42.1%-68.4%: high). Meta-analysis was performed by calculating the effect size using the standardized mean differences between the control and FO conditions. Transverse-arch insoles immediately improved static balance after use. However, no immediate significant effect was found for medial archsupport FOs, cuboid-posting FOs, or University of California Berkeley Laboratory FOs during the study period (2-5 weeks) when compared with the controls. The transverse-arch insole is the most effective FO feature for improving static balance. However, the high heterogeneity between study protocols contributes to the lack of evidence for the effects of FO on balance in people with flatfoot.

Immediate and short-term effects of kinesiotaping and lower extremity stretching on pain and disability in individuals with plantar fasciitis: a pilot randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis (PF) can disturb individual's weight-bearing activities. Hence, conservative treatments with immediate effect in reducing pain and improving foot function is required. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the effect of kinesiotaping and stretching exercise in individuals with PF. METHODS: Thirty patients with PF were randomly divided into three groups, and received kinesiotaping, stretching exercise, and a combination of the two aforementioned interventions. Pain intensity and foot disability were measured at baseline, immediately after the first treatment, and at one week. RESULTS: Immediately after the first treatment, all groups showed significant changes in heel pain intensity (p ≤ .012) with the standardized response mean (SRM) of 2.85, 1.96, and 1.43 for the taping, stretching, and the combination groups, respectively. Nevertheless, no significant change in foot disability was found (p > .05). At the one week, all groups continued to demonstrate significant reduction in heel pain (p ≤ .012) with the SRM of 1.78, 2.84, and 2.09 for the taping, stretching, and the combination groups, respectively. While the combination group showed significant reduction in foot disability (p = .024). However, there was no significant difference of the change score in all parameters among the three groups (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Improvement in heel pain was observed in all groups after the first treatment. However, improvement in foot function over one week was observed only among those who received the combined treatment. Further studies on larger samples are required to establish the superiority of the combined treatment over kinesiotaping or stretching alone.

Differences in lower-extremity kinematics between the male military personnel with and without plantar fasciitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors that influence gait by comparing lower extremity kinematics during the stance phase of the gait cycle between individuals with and without plantar fasciitis. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Motion analysis research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty subjects with plantar fasciitis and 30 aged-matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Range of motion of the lower extremity and multi-segment foot during gait using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. RESULTS: The plantar fasciitis group showed significant differences in motion in the multi-segment foot, ankle, knee, and hip from the control group during various subphases of the stance phase. Specifically, relative to the control group, the plantar fasciitis group had more rearfoot adduction, forefoot eversion, ankle abduction, and hip abduction. They also had less midfoot dorsiflexion, forefoot dorsiflexion, knee extension, knee external rotation, and hip extension (all Ps < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with plantar fasciitis exhibited more flexibility in the ankle-foot complex and poorer quality of lower-extremity movement than the group that did not have plantar fasciitis. Thus, differences in structures in both the ankle-foot complex as well as those in the hip and knee joints appear to be associated with the presence of plantar fasciitis.

Physical and psychological predictors on pain intensity in conscripts with plantar fasciitis.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis is commonly found among the physically active population, including conscripts. Some studies have reported that being overweight and having psychological symptoms contribute to pain from plantar fasciitis. However, there is a lack of information regarding the physical predictors, and more research is needed to determine the relationship between such predictors and pain intensity from plantar fasciitis in conscripts. OBJECTIVE: To determine which physical and psychological variables act as predictors of pain intensity among Thai novice conscripts with plantar fasciitis. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy Thai novice conscripts without musculoskeletal pain completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale short version and then received baseline assessment of ankle dorsiflexion angle, ankle plantarflexor strength, and quality of lower extremity movement from a physical therapist. After 10 weeks of military training, 71 of these Thai conscripts developed pain from plantar fasciitis. Multiple linear regression analysis with the forward stepwise method was used to explore the predictors of pain intensity due to plantar fasciitis. RESULTS: Using a forward regression analysis, anxiety (B=0.13; 95% CI, 0.06-0.20; p<0.01) and quality of movement score (B=0.87; 95% CI, 0.28-1.47; p=0.01) were significant predictors of pain intensity. The regression model with these predictors explained 25% of the variability in pain intensity from plantar fasciitis. CONCLUSION: Higher scores of anxiety and movement quality on the lateral step-down task were associated with pain intensity from plantar fasciitis after the completion of a 10-week military program. However, lower ankle dorsiflexion angle and ankle plantarflexor strength did not predict pain intensity.

Predictors of plantar fasciitis in Thai novice conscripts after 10-week military training: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the individual, anatomical, and biomechanical predictors of plantar fasciitis among novice conscripts. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: Military training camp in Bangkok, Thailand. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirteen novice conscripts without lower extremity pain prior to the commencement of military training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Individual, anatomical, and biomechanical variables were assessed in all participants at baseline. The primary criterion variable was the presence or absence of plantar fasciitis. RESULTS: After 10 weeks of training, 113 participants were classified as having (n = 71) and not having (n = 42) plantar fasciitis. The results indicated that the conscripts with poorer quality of movement and lesser femoral anteversion angle tended to exhibit plantar fasciitis (odds ratio = 1.996 and 0.720, respectively). Regarding individual components, the conscripts with higher body mass index and higher stress level had increased risk of plantar fasciitis (odds ratio = 1.238 and 1.110, respectively). Moreover, the conscripts with a higher level of physical exercise before military training had a reduced risk of presenting with plantar fasciitis (odds ratio = 0.242). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple predictors-especially individual characteristics and the abnormalities from the proximal region (other than foot and ankle)-contributed to the development of plantar fasciitis among Thai novice conscripts.

Effects of weight-bearing exercise on a mini-trampoline on foot mobility, plantar pressure and sensation of diabetic neuropathic feet; a preliminary study.

Objective: Foot and ankle exercise has been advocated as a preventative approach in reducing the risk of foot ulceration. However, knowledge about the appropriate types and intensity of exercise program for diabetic foot ulcer prevention is still limited. The current study aimed to examine the effects of an eight-week mini-trampoline exercise on improving foot mobility, plantar pressure and sensation of diabetic neuropathic feet. Methods: Twenty-one people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy who had impaired sensation perception were divided into two groups. The exercise group received a foot-care education program plus an eight-week home exercise program using the mini-trampoline (n = 11); whereas a control group received a foot-care education only (n = 10). Measurements were undertaken at the beginning, at the completion of the eight-week program and at a 20-week follow-up. Results: Both groups were similar prior to the study. Subjects in the exercise group significantly increased the range of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in flexion (left: p = 0.040, right: p = 0.012) and extension (left: p = 0.013) of both feet more than controlled subjects. There was a trend for peak plantar pressure at the medial forefoot to decrease in the exercise group (p = 0.016), but not in the control group. At week 20, the number of subjects in the exercise group who improved their vibration perception in their feet notably increased when compared to the control group (left: p = 0.043; right: p = 0.004). Conclusions: This is a preliminary study to document the improvements in foot mobility, plantar pressure and sensation following weight-bearing exercise on a flexible surface in people with diabetic neuropathic feet. Mini-trampoline exercise may be used as an adjunct to other interventions to reduce risk of foot ulceration. A larger sample size is needed to verify these findings. This trial is registered with COA No. 097.2/55.

A prospective study of incidence and risk factors for the onset and persistence of low back pain in Thai university students.

This study aimed to examine the 12-month incidence and risk factors for the onset and persistence of low back pain (LBP) in undergraduate students. A 1-year prospective study was carried out among 684 healthy students in a large public university in Thailand. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and a physical examination. Follow-up data were collected every 3 months. A total of 524 (77%) students were followed for 1 year. A total of 31% reported a new onset of LBP, of whom 31% reported persistent LBP. Having no low back support during computer work was a significant predictor for the onset and persistence of LBP. The onset of LBP was also associated with quadriceps muscle tightness. LBP is common among undergraduate students, and many of them may have persistent symptoms. Physical risk factor plays a significant role for the onset and persistence of LBP among the study population.

Are religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism associated with disability and salivary cortisol in office workers with chronic low back pain?

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is common among office workers. A number of studies have established a relationship between Christianity and physical and mental health outcomes among chronic pain patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism and disability and psychological stress in office workers with chronic LBP. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire delivered by hand to 463 office workers with chronic LBP. Saliva samples were collected from a randomly selected sub-sample of respondents (n=96). Disability due to LBP was assessed using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and psychological stress was assessed based on salivary cortisol. Two hierarchical regression models were built to determine how much variance in disability and psychological stress could be explained by religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism variables after controlling for potential confounder variables. RESULTS: Only 6% of variance in psychological stress was accounted for by the religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism. Those with high religiousness experienced lower psychological stress. No association between the religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism and disability level was found. Depressive symptoms were attributed to both psychological stress and disability status in our study population. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that, although being religious may improve the psychological condition in workers with chronic LBP, its effect is insufficient to reduce disability due to illness. Further research should examine the role of depression as a mediator of the effect of psychological stress on disability in patients with chronic LBP.

Prevalence of and factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in the spine attributed to computer use in undergraduate students.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the 3-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms at the spine attributed to computer use and to identify biopsychosocial factors associated with the prevalence in undergraduate students. PARTICIPANTS: Undergraduate students who studied at a public university in Thailand. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire delivered to 3,545 students. RESULTS: A total of 2,511 students (73.7%) returned the questionnaires. Cervical symptoms (22.3%) were the most frequently reported, followed by thoracic (11%) and lumbar symptoms (10.7%). Females, daily computer use greater than three hours and too-high keyboard's position were significantly associated with a high prevalence of cervical symptoms. A significant association was found between higher undergraduate year of the study and too-high keyboard's position and a high prevalence of thoracic symptoms. Higher undergraduate year of the study and daily computer use greater than three hours were significantly related to a high prevalence of lumbar symptoms. Better-than-normal mental health status was associated with a low prevalence of lumbar symptoms. CONCLUSION: Spinal symptoms are common among undergraduate students. Various factors were identified to be associated with high prevalence of spinal symptoms. Further research investigating the causal relation between these factors and musculoskeletal symptoms should be conducted.

Incidence of and risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and low-back during severe flooding in Bangkok in 2011.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the incidences of neck and low-back symptoms were elevated during the severe floods that occurred in Bangkok, Thailand in 2011, and to explore flood-related risk factors for neck and low-back symptoms. DESIGN: Prospective cohort design. METHODS: Severe flooding occurred in Bangkok and surrounding neighbourhoods between October and December, 2011. After the flood had subsided (January 2012), 377 healthy office workers, who were already taking part in a study on musculoskeletal symptoms, were asked about their contact with floodwater. Data were gathered from subjects, who had reported no neck and low-back symptoms at the end of September 2011 and who were affected by the flood. Two regression models for the outcomes of 3-month incidence of neck and low-back symptoms, respectively, were performed. RESULT: Eighty-two percent of the subjects were affected by the flood. No flood-related factor was found to associate significantly with either neck or low-back symptoms. However, neck symptoms may be associated with commuting frequently through flooded areas, and low-back symptoms may be associated with the subjects' homes or workplaces being flooded. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that more attention needs to be paid to the problem of musculoskeletal symptoms during flooding in urban areas, and that preventive measures are required.

Office workers' risk factors for the development of non-specific neck pain: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies.

The purpose of this study was to systematically review prospective cohort studies to gain insights into risk factors for the development of non-specific neck pain in office workers as well as to assess the strength of evidence. Publications were systematically searched from 1980 - March 2011 in several databases. The following key words were used: neck pain paired with risk or prognostic factors and office or computer or visual display unit or visual display terminal. Relevant studies were retrieved and assessed for methodological quality by two independent reviewers. The strength of the evidence was based on methodological quality and consistency of the results. Five high-quality and two low-quality prospective cohort studies investigating the predictive value of 47 individual, work-related physical and work-related psychosocial factors for the onset of non-specific neck pain in office workers were included in this review. Strong evidence was found for female gender and previous history of neck complaints to be predictors of the onset of neck pain. Interestingly, for a large number of factors that have been mentioned in the literature as risk factors for neck pain, such as high physical leisure activity, low social support, and high psychosocial stress, we found no predictive value for future neck pain in office workers. Literature with respect to the development of non-specific neck pain in office workers is scant. Only female gender and previous history of neck complaints have been identified as risk factors that predict the onset of neck pain.

Effect of flexibility exercise on lumbar angle: a study among non-specific low back pain patients.

The study investigated the influence of lumbar flexibility exercise on the lumbar angle among patients with non-specific low back pain (LBP). Pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design trial was conducted at Health Service Center, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Thirty-five non-specific LBP patients with limitation in lower back range of motion and without neurological deficits were recruited (based on the LBP guidelines by RCGP 1999). Lumbar flexibility exercise program developed based on McKenzie therapy was performed individually each day for 2 weeks. Patients attended an exercise program daily in the first week under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The exercise program consisted of 7 sets a day (3-2-2 in the morning-afternoon-evening) in series of 10 repetitions for each set for 2 weeks. Lumbar angle was measured at the beginning and at the end of 2 weeks in order to determine the range of motion improved. The results indicated that the low back pain symptom improved as well as the angle.

Prevalence of and biopsychosocial factors associated with low back pain in commercial airline pilots.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the 12-mo prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and to identify individual, flight-related, and psychosocial factors associated with the prevalence of LBP in commercial airline pilots. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire delivered by hand to 708 Thai airline pilots visiting the Institute of Aviation Medicine, Royal Thai Air Force, for their regular medical examinations. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the associations between the prevalence of LBP and statistically significant factors. RESULTS: A total of 684 subjects (97%) returned the questionnaires. The 12-mo prevalence of self-reported LBP among commercial airline pilots was 55.7%. An elevated risk of experiencing LBP was associated with occasionally to frequently encountering turbulence in the previous year, lifting luggage four or more times per duty period, perception of noise in the cockpit as being too loud, and perception of work hazards at intermediate to high levels, assessed by the JCQ Thai version. On the other hand, the factors that reduced the risk of experiencing LBP were performing vigorous exercise regularly and having 5-23 h rest breaks between flights. CONCLUSIONS: LBP is common among commercial airline pilots. Our findings suggest that LBP in commercial airline pilots is occupation-related. Interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of LBP in commercial airline pilots should focus on work condition adjustment and mental stress reduction.

Risk factors for the onset and persistence of neck pain in undergraduate students: 1-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although neck pain is common in young adulthood, studies on predictive factors for its onset and persistence are scarce. It is therefore important to identify possible risk factors among young adults so as to prevent the development of neck pain later in life. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in healthy undergraduate students. At baseline, a self-administered questionnaire and standardized physical examination were used to collect data on biopsychosocial factors. At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months thereafter, follow-up data were collected on the incidence of neck pain. Those who reported neck pain on ≥ 2 consecutive follow-ups were categorized as having persistent neck pain. Two regression models were built to analyze risk factors for the onset and persistence of neck pain. RESULTS: Among the recruited sample of 684 students, 46% reported the onset of neck pain between baseline and 1-year follow-up, of whom 33% reported persistent neck pain. The onset of neck pain was associated with computer screen position not being level with the eyes and mouse position being self-rated as suitable. Factors that predicted persistence of neck pain were position of the keyboard being too high, use of computer for entertainment < 70% of total computer usage time, and students being in the second year of their studies. CONCLUSION: Neck pain is quite common among undergraduate students. This study found very few proposed risk factors that predicted onset and persistence of neck pain. The future health of undergraduate students deserves consideration. However, there is still much uncertainty about factors leading to neck pain and more research is needed on this topic.

Development of a risk score for low back pain in office workers--a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is common among office workers and is the most common cause of work-related disability in people under 45 years of age. The aetiology of LBP is widely accepted to be multi-factorial. Prognostic research into office workers at risk of developing LBP has received limited attention. The aims of this study were to develop a risk score to identify office workers likely to have LBP and to evaluate its predictive power. METHODS: 397 office workers filled out a self-administered questionnaire and underwent physical examination. The questionnaire gathered data on individual, work-related physical and psychosocial data as well as the presence of low back pain in the previous 4 weeks. The physical examination included measurement of body weight, height, waist circumference, hamstrings length, spinal scoliosis, spinal curve, Backache Index and lumbar stability. Logistic regression was used to select significant factors associated with LBP to build a risk score. The coefficients from the logistic regression model were transformed into the components of a risk score. RESULTS: The model included six items: previous history of working as an office worker, years of work experience, continuous standing for >2 hrs/d, frequency of forward bending during work day, chair having lumbar support and Backache Index outcome. The risk score for LBP in office workers (The Back pain Risk score for Office Workers: The BROW) was built with a risk score ranging from 0 to 9. A cut-off score of ≥ 4 had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 58%. The positive predictive value and negative predictive values were 70% each. CONCLUSIONS: The BROW is easy and quick to administer. It appears to have reasonable sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values for the cut-off point of ≥ 4. The BROW is a promising tool for use to identify office workers in need of early interventions. Further prospective study is needed to validate the predictive performance of the BROW.

Exercise therapy for office workers with nonspecific neck pain: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of exercise for prevention and cure of nonspecific neck pain in office workers. METHODS: Publications between 1980 and April 2010 were systematically searched in various databases (PubMed, CINAHL Plus with full text, The Cochrane Library, Science Direct, PEDro, ProQuest, PsycNet, and Scopus). The following key words were used: neck pain, cervical pain, exercise, strengthening, stretching, endurance, office workers, visual display unit, visual display terminal, and computer users. A hand search of relevant journals was also carried out. Relevant randomized controlled trials were retrieved and assessed for methodological quality by 2 independent reviewers. The strength of the evidence was based on methodological quality and consistency of the results. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials were included in this review, of which 6 were rated as high-quality studies. No exercise type was identified as being effective in the prevention of nonspecific neck pain in office workers. Strong evidence was found for the effectiveness of muscle strengthening and endurance exercises in treating neck pain. Moderate evidence supported the use of muscle endurance exercise in reducing disability attributed to neck pain. CONCLUSION: Literature investigating the efficacy of exercise in office workers with nonspecific neck pain was heterogeneous. Within the limitations, for treatment of neck pain, either muscle strengthening or endurance exercise is recommended, whereas for reduction of pain-related disability, muscle endurance exercise is suggested. Further research is needed before any firm conclusions regarding the most effective exercise programs for office workers can be reached.

The association between physical activity and neck and low back pain: a systematic review.

The effect of physical activity on neck and low back pain is still controversial. No systematic review has been conducted on the association between daily physical activity and neck and low back pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between physical activity and the incidence/prevalence of neck and low back pain. Publications were systematically searched from 1980 to June 2009 in several databases. The following key words were used: neck pain, back pain, physical activity, leisure time activity, daily activity, everyday activity, lifestyle activity, sedentary, and physical inactivity. A hand search of relevant journals was also carried out. Relevant studies were retrieved and assessed for methodological quality by two independent reviewers. The strength of the evidence was based on methodological quality and consistency of the results. Seventeen studies were included in this review, of which 13 were rated as high-quality studies. Of high-quality studies, there was limited evidence for no association between physical activity and neck pain in workers and strong evidence for no association in school children. Conflicting evidence was found for the association between physical activity and low back pain in both general population and school children. Literature with respect to the effect of physical activity on neck and low back pain was too heterogeneous and more research is needed before any final conclusion can be reached.

Biopsychosocial risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms of the spine in salespeople.

This study aimed to identify biopsychosocial factors associated with the self-reported prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the spine in saleswomen in department stores. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in which 1310 saleswomen in 18 department stores received a self-administered questionnaire. Returns were 1200 (92%) questionnaires, and after screening for exclusion criteria, 1189 saleswomen were eligible for the study. Standing/walking for > 10 hours/day, as well as frequent working in static postures and twisting the body during work were each significantly associated with a high prevalence of experiencing head/neck symptoms. A significant association was found between standing/walking for > 10 hours/ day and a high prevalence of experiencing upper back symptoms. Working for > 10 hours/day, standing/walking for > 5 hours/day without rest breaks, as well as frequent working in static postures and sitting during work were each significantly related to a high prevalence of experiencing lower back symptoms. Surprisingly, poor self-rated perceptions of physical work environments significantly correlated with a low prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in all spinal regions.

Biopsychosocial factors and musculoskeletal symptoms of the lower extremities of saleswomen in department stores in Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: To identify individual, work-related physical and psychosocial factors associated with the self-reported prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the hip, knee and ankle/foot of saleswomen in department stores in Thailand. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in which 1,310 saleswomen in 18 department stores received a self-administered questionnaire. Returns were 1,200 (92%) questionnaires, and after screening for exclusion criteria, 1,189 saleswomen were found to be eligible for the study. RESULTS: Having a child, number of working hours per day, frequency of body twisting during work and self-rated perception of light intensity in the workplace were each significantly associated with the prevalence of experiencing hip symptoms. Significant associations were found between age, number of hours per day required to stand or walk and self-rated perception of temperature in the workplace, and the prevalence of experiencing knee symptoms. The number of working hours per day and working days per week as well as frequency of working in static postures and rest breaks during work were each significantly related to the prevalence of experiencing ankle/foot symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Among saleswomen, various individual and work-related physical factors were identified as risks and preventive factors for musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower extremities. Further research should focus on these modifiable factors in order to develop effective strategies for reducing the occurrence of such symptoms in saleswomen.

Biopsychosocial factors and perceived disability in saleswomen with concurrent low back pain.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify disability level in salespeople with concurrent low back pain (LBP) and to determine the relative associations between demographic, occupational, psychosocial and clinical factors and back disability. LBP is the most common cause of work-related disability in people under 45 years of age and the most expensive cause of work-related disability, in terms of workers' compensation and medical expenses. Evidence suggests high prevalence of LBP in salespeople. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in which 184 saleswomen with a current episode of self-reported LBP working in a large up-scale department store filled out a battery of 6 self-administered questionnaires and received a standardised physical examination. RESULTS: Saleswomen with concurrent LBP had low disability levels. Factors significantly associated with disability were pain intensity, measured by a visual analogue scale, in the past week (p < 0.001), physical and mental health status (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, respectively), fear avoidance scores for both work and physical activities (p = 0.031, p = 0.014, respectively), past history of LBP (p = 0.019), and self-reported frequency of pushing or pulling objects placed in high positions during work (p = 0.047). A significant level (45%) of the variance in disability status was explained by these variables. CONCLUSION: In clinical management of LBP workers who required prolonged standing, such as salespeople, clinicians should look for modifiable risk factors associated with disability. Specific measures need to be taken to prevent disability due to LBP among salespeople.