Prolonged Standing and Low Back Pain Among Workers: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Prolonged standing is a common occupational demand across multiple sectors and has been identified as a potential risk factor for low back pain (LBP), one of the most prevalent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However, evidence regarding this association remains inconsistent.
Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the association between prolonged standing and low back pain among workers.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Five databases—Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and ScienceDirect—were searched for studies published between 2016 and 2026. Eligible studies employed a cross-sectional design and examined prolonged standing as an exposure variable for LBP. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist.
Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Six studies (75%) reported a statistically significant association between prolonged standing and LBP (p < 0.05), with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.24 to 8.19. Significant associations were most consistently observed among teachers, healthcare professionals, and food service workers with longer work experience. The remaining two studies reported non-significant findings, likely due to confounding factors and heterogeneity in exposure definitions and measurement methods. Based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) 2011 criteria, the evidence was classified as Level 3 with moderate certainty.
Conclusion: Prolonged standing is associated with low back pain among workers, although the strength of this relationship varies depending on methodological and population factors. Workplace interventions targeting posture variation and exposure reduction are recommended.