A survey of the experience of low back pain amongst professional licensed London taxi drivers.

Item

Title: A survey of the experience of low back pain amongst professional licensed London taxi drivers.
Title: A survey of the experience of low back pain amongst professional licensed London taxi drivers.
Author(s): Orwell Peter
Abstract: Background: London taxi drivers differ from other professional drivers in their exposures to physical and psychosocial hazards in the work environment because they drive purpose built taxis, of which there are currently only two models in production (TX2 and TX4). London taxi drivers are expected to assist disabled and wheelchair passengers and those with luggage. Furthermore, they are frequently asked to deliver parcels. Working in a fast paced inner city environment may also expose them to the day to day life of the people who work there, often passengers who are highly stressed. London’s roads are also subject to constant update and repair, often causing major congestion for other road users and delays for taxi passengers. Epidemiological data on low back pain (LBP) in London taxi drivers is scarce. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the experience of existing LBP amongst professional licensed London taxi drivers and to assess what factors such as prolonged driving hours, types of taxi and little or no exercise influenced the severity and or duration of their existing LBP. Methods: A specially designed questionnaire was created and combined with a modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to collect information on demographic data, driving time profiles, hours of exercise and the severity and or duration of LBP. Questionnaires were distributed to 4 taxi driver rest stations and 141 completed questionnaires were returned. Results: Of the 141 drivers who completed questionnaires, 53% drove TX taxis (new model) while 47% drove Fairway taxis (old model). The average age of drivers was 44 years, 93% were male and 7% female. 87% of drivers reported LBP in the last week. 92% of TX drivers reported LBP in the last week, (n=69), compared to 80% of Fairway drivers, which was a significant difference. TX drivers also reported more severe LBP in the last week (u=2051.50, p=0.046), with a median score of 3 (moderate pain) compared to the Fairway median of 2 (mild pain). Significantly, older experienced drivers who worked fewer hours and exercised more, reported less severe LBP. Conclusions: Prolonged driving hours and little or no exercise were associated with an increase of the severity but not the duration of LBP in London taxi drivers. Drivers of newer models of taxi (TX) worked longer hours per day compared to drivers of older models of taxi (Fairway). The Fairway models of taxi are no longer in production and with the current emission levels set at Euro 5 standards, European Commission (2008/9) they are due for decommissioning in 2012. TX taxi drivers worked longer hours, they were also more likely to own their taxi which may account for the longer driving hours as the starting price for a standard TX taxi is £28,995, The London Taxi Company (2010). This may lead to a significant rise in the levels of severe LBP being reported by London taxi drivers. The author feels there is a need for further research to explore if regular rest periods and frequent exercise would lead to a decrease in the duration and or the severity of the reported levels of LBP seen in London taxi drivers. Furthermore, research into the driver compartment and seat ergonomics (i.e. types of seats available) of the models of taxi in current production may assist osteopaths and other health care professionals in their management and treatment of London taxi drivers with LBP.
Abstract: Background: London taxi drivers differ from other professional drivers in their exposures to physical and psychosocial hazards in the work environment because they drive purpose built taxis, of which there are currently only two models in production (TX2 and TX4). London taxi drivers are expected to assist disabled and wheelchair passengers and those with luggage. Furthermore, they are frequently asked to deliver parcels. Working in a fast paced inner city environment may also expose them to the day to day life of the people who work there, often passengers who are highly stressed. London’s roads are also subject to constant update and repair, often causing major congestion for other road users and delays for taxi passengers. Epidemiological data on low back pain (LBP) in London taxi drivers is scarce. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the experience of existing LBP amongst professional licensed London taxi drivers and to assess what factors such as prolonged driving hours, types of taxi and little or no exercise influenced the severity and or duration of their existing LBP. Methods: A specially designed questionnaire was created and combined with a modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to collect information on demographic data, driving time profiles, hours of exercise and the severity and or duration of LBP. Questionnaires were distributed to 4 taxi driver rest stations and 141 completed questionnaires were returned. Results: Of the 141 drivers who completed questionnaires, 53% drove TX taxis (new model) while 47% drove Fairway taxis (old model). The average age of drivers was 44 years, 93% were male and 7% female. 87% of drivers reported LBP in the last week. 92% of TX drivers reported LBP in the last week, (n=69), compared to 80% of Fairway drivers, which was a significant difference. TX drivers also reported more severe LBP in the last week (u=2051.50, p=0.046), with a median score of 3 (moderate pain) compared to the Fairway median of 2 (mild pain). Significantly, older experienced drivers who worked fewer hours and exercised more, reported less severe LBP. Conclusions: Prolonged driving hours and little or no exercise were associated with an increase of the severity but not the duration of LBP in London taxi drivers. Drivers of newer models of taxi (TX) worked longer hours per day compared to drivers of older models of taxi (Fairway). The Fairway models of taxi are no longer in production and with the current emission levels set at Euro 5 standards, European Commission (2008/9) they are due for decommissioning in 2012. TX taxi drivers worked longer hours, they were also more likely to own their taxi which may account for the longer driving hours as the starting price for a standard TX taxi is £28,995, The London Taxi Company (2010). This may lead to a significant rise in the levels of severe LBP being reported by London taxi drivers. The author feels there is a need for further research to explore if regular rest periods and frequent exercise would lead to a decrease in the duration and or the severity of the reported levels of LBP seen in London taxi drivers. Furthermore, research into the driver compartment and seat ergonomics (i.e. types of seats available) of the models of taxi in current production may assist osteopaths and other health care professionals in their management and treatment of London taxi drivers with LBP.
presented at: British School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted: 2011
Date Submitted: 3.2.2012 00:00:00
Type: osteo_thesis
Language: English
Pub-Identifier: 15091
Inst-Identifier: 780
Keywords: Low back pain, taxi, occupational driving, TX and Fairway
Recommended: 0

Item sets: Thesis

Orwell Peter, “A survey of the experience of low back pain amongst professional licensed London taxi drivers.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/1747