Interactive Low Back Pain Intervention Module Based on the Back School Program: A Cluster-Randomized Experimental Study Evaluating Its Effectiveness among Nurses in Public Hospitals

The prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among nurses is high. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive LBP module based on the Back School Program in improving Oswestry Disability Scores (ODSs) among nurses in government hospitals in Penang, Malaysia. A cluster-randomized experimental study was conducted within four public hospitals. These hospitals were randomized to intervention and control groups. A total of 284 nurses from the selected hospitals were randomly selected (142 in each group). An interactive LBP intervention module based on the Back School Program was designed and prescribed. Both the intervention and control groups were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire at baseline and at the end of the third and sixth weeks. Out of 284 participants, 281 completed this study. A between-group comparison revealed that ODSs were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group at the ends of the third (p = 0.006) and sixth weeks (p < 0.001). Within-group changes revealed a significant reduction in ODSs within the intervention group from baseline to the third (p < 0.001) and sixth weeks (p < 0.001) of the intervention. This simple interactive LBP module was effective in reducing symptoms of LBP among nurses as early as three weeks, and this effect was sustained until the sixth week of the intervention.