Through a randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the effects of an electro-magnetic active seat suspension that reduces exposure of a long-haul truck driver to whole body vibration (WBV) on low back pain (LBP) and disability. Among 276 drivers recruited from six trucking terminals of a major US trucking company, 135 eligible drivers were assigned to either having an active seat (intervention, n = 70) -- the BoseRide electro-magnetic active seat -- or passive seat (reference, n = 65) -- a new version of their current seat (passive air suspension seat) -- installed in their truck via block (terminal) randomization. Low back pain (LBP) severity, on a 0 to 10 scale and the Oswestry LBP Disability Index were collected before and 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months post seat installation. LBP severity and LBP disability scores were significantly lower post seat installation in both groups. At 3 months, LBP severity decreased -1.4 (95% CI -2.1 to -0.7, n = 46) for drivers in the active seat arm, and -1.5 (95% CI -2.3 to -0.8, n = 41) for drivers in the passive seat arm. In a subset of drivers, WBV exposures were collected before and after the seat installation. WBV exposures significantly decreased post seat installation for active seat (p < 0.01) but not for passive seat (p = 0.15). While the new seat-suspension technology reduced WBV exposures, LBP appeared to be improved by multiple factors. These results were limited by the secondary prevention approach and the longer-term loss to follow up due to large rates of driver turnover typical for the industry.
With permission from Excerpta Medica Inc.

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