An overview of strategies to reduce whole-body vibration exposure on drivers: A systematic review

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) at the workplace cost a lot. These MSD, low back pain in particular, can be caused by exposure to whole body vibration (WBV). Preventive strategies to reduce vibration exposure may contribute to a decrease in MSD. Therefore the aim of this study was to explore which evidence-based preventive strategies reduce vibration exposure on drivers. A systematic literature search was performed using the following key words and synonyms: Whole body vibration, occupational, and prevention. Preliminary, inclusion and selection criteria were defined. 37 studies were included: 15 laboratory studies, 17 field studies, 4 laboratory/field studies and I intervention study. Only one, the intervention study, described an intervention strategy to reduce WBV exposure in the workplace. All other studies only presented factors that have effects on vibration exposure. These factors are categorized into two different categories: (1) design considerations and (2) skills and behavior. Most studies focus on factors within category (1) while factors within category (2) may be promising as well, as these factors are often less expensive and more easy to implement. Factors from both categories should be combined in preventive strategies as there is a lack of evidence of effective preventive strategies to reduce vibration exposure on drivers. This might lead to a decrease in the incidence of low back pain due to exposure to whole body vibration. Relevance to industry This review provides employers, occupational health physicians and interested research groups with an overview of successful factors to reduce vibration exposure to drivers. The preventive strategies, which are needed to reduce low back pain problems due to WBV, should be based on these factors when developed in the near future. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.