Chronic low back pain and sleep disturbances among agro-industrial and industrial workers: a scoping review

Abstract Aim To map and synthesize the available scientific evidence on the relationship between chronic low back pain and sleep-related outcomes among agro-industrial and industrial workers exposed to high physical demands. Subject and methods A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and LILACS for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Quantitative observational studies in Portuguese, English, or Spanish involving adult workers in industrial or agricultural settings were included. Results Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, predominantly with cross-sectional designs from Brazil and the United States. Chronic low back pain was consistently associated with poorer sleep quality, increased daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and sleep fragmentation. No study utilized objective diagnostic tools, such as polysomnography, for obstructive sleep apnea; evidence relied exclusively on self-reported measures. Biomechanical overload and psychosocial factors were identified as key modulators of this relationship. Conclusion There is a consistent association between chronic low back pain and sleep disturbances in high-demand occupational settings. However, the lack of longitudinal data and objective sleep apnea diagnoses remains a significant gap. Integrated occupational health strategies addressing musculoskeletal health and sleep as interdependent components are essential for worker health surveillance.