Casarotto RA1, Harari D1
1University of São Paulo, Department of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most prevalent and costly health conditions and one of the main causes of absenteeism at work. Because MSDs are multifactorial, single-factor workplace interventions to manage them may not be sufficient. Ergonomics, Workplace Exercises and Physical Therapy are all elements that individually have already shown positive effects of variable and limited sizes on MSDs and they potentially constitute important components of a multifaceted intervention. The adherence of the workers to occupational health programs at the workplace are not easy, thus to enhance the participation rate, the intervention could be performed at the employees' workstations and apply physical therapy techniques easy to perform with the workers in a seated position as acupuncture, for example.
Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of a workplace-based multifaceted intervention focused on managing MSDs in reducing absenteeism among workers of a medium-sized company.
Methods: A program consisting of Participatory Ergonomics (PE), Workplace Exercise (WE) and acupuncture as the main resource of Physical Therapy (PT) performed at the workstations was conducted for 22 months with 88 workers of a hearing aid company. PE followed four steps: 1) identification and analysis of work tasks related to physical and mental overload, 2) solution building to improve theses aspects;3) implementation of ergonomics interventions modifications and 4) evaluation of the implemented modifications. WE were performed once a week for 15 minutes and included warming up, stretching, stabilizing joints, balancing exercises, massage and postural education. PT was applied at the workstations using acupuncture and/or physical exercises orientation. The outcomes were absenteeism measured by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and analyzed by an exact statistical test based on the binomial distribution to compare the total days lost due to MSD complaints pre- and post-intervention. And workers' perceptions about the intervention by using a Likert-based questionnaire addressing absenteeism/sick leaves were analyzed descriptively.
Results: Absenteeism was significantly reduced (p=0.020). Of the 10 subjects who reported having lost work days because of MSD complaints in the preceding year at baseline, only 2 had missed work days post-intervention. Furthermore, of those who had not lost work days pre-intervention (n=78), only 1 (1%) subject reported having lost work days after the intervention. Most workers (72%-77%) agreed that the intervention made them avoid absenteeism and sick leaves.
Conclusion(s): A multifaceted intervention consisting of PE, WE and acupuncture as the main resource of PT performed at the workstations aiming to manage MSDs may be relevant to reduce absenteeism in working populations.
Implications: This study applied an innovative program containing an aspect of treatment of MSDs at employees' workstations using unusual techniques, such as acupuncture, in addition to individualized ergonomic adjustments. By reducing absenteeism, the findings of our study could potentially benefit both workers and employers, as well as reducing costs associated with social welfare.
Keywords: Musculoskeletal Diseases, Occupational Health, Absenteeism
Funding acknowledgements: This study was unfunded by any source.
Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of a workplace-based multifaceted intervention focused on managing MSDs in reducing absenteeism among workers of a medium-sized company.
Methods: A program consisting of Participatory Ergonomics (PE), Workplace Exercise (WE) and acupuncture as the main resource of Physical Therapy (PT) performed at the workstations was conducted for 22 months with 88 workers of a hearing aid company. PE followed four steps: 1) identification and analysis of work tasks related to physical and mental overload, 2) solution building to improve theses aspects;3) implementation of ergonomics interventions modifications and 4) evaluation of the implemented modifications. WE were performed once a week for 15 minutes and included warming up, stretching, stabilizing joints, balancing exercises, massage and postural education. PT was applied at the workstations using acupuncture and/or physical exercises orientation. The outcomes were absenteeism measured by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and analyzed by an exact statistical test based on the binomial distribution to compare the total days lost due to MSD complaints pre- and post-intervention. And workers' perceptions about the intervention by using a Likert-based questionnaire addressing absenteeism/sick leaves were analyzed descriptively.
Results: Absenteeism was significantly reduced (p=0.020). Of the 10 subjects who reported having lost work days because of MSD complaints in the preceding year at baseline, only 2 had missed work days post-intervention. Furthermore, of those who had not lost work days pre-intervention (n=78), only 1 (1%) subject reported having lost work days after the intervention. Most workers (72%-77%) agreed that the intervention made them avoid absenteeism and sick leaves.
Conclusion(s): A multifaceted intervention consisting of PE, WE and acupuncture as the main resource of PT performed at the workstations aiming to manage MSDs may be relevant to reduce absenteeism in working populations.
Implications: This study applied an innovative program containing an aspect of treatment of MSDs at employees' workstations using unusual techniques, such as acupuncture, in addition to individualized ergonomic adjustments. By reducing absenteeism, the findings of our study could potentially benefit both workers and employers, as well as reducing costs associated with social welfare.
Keywords: Musculoskeletal Diseases, Occupational Health, Absenteeism
Funding acknowledgements: This study was unfunded by any source.
Topic: Occupational health & ergonomics
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of São Paulo
Ethics committee: Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine
Ethics number: nº. 334/10
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
