Effects of participatory ergonomic intervention on the development of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and disability in office employees using a computer. Issue 3 (16th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baydur, Hakan; Ergör, Alp; Demiral, Yücel; Akalın, Elif
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational health. Volume 58:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 297
• Page End: 309
• Publication Date: 2016-06-16
• Subjects: Participatory ergonomics -- Office ergonomics -- Risk assessment -- Musculoskeletal disorders -- Upper limb disorders; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Industrial hygiene -- Periodicals; Medicine, Industrial; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health; Occupational Medicine; Periodicals; Periodical; Electronic journals; 613.62
• DOI: 10.1539/joh.16-0003-OA
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1341-9145

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To evaluate the participatory ergonomic method on the development of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and disability in office employees. Methods: This study is a randomized controlled intervention study. It comprised 116 office workers using computers. Those in the intervention group were taught office ergonomics and the risk assessment method. Cox proportional hazards model and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used. Results: In the 10‐month postintervention follow‐up, the possibility of developing symptoms was 50.9%. According to multivariate analysis results, the possibility of developing symptoms on the right side of the neck and in the right wrist and hand was significantly less in the intervention group than in the control group (p<0.05). Neck disability/symptom scores over time were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The participatory ergonomic intervention decreases the possibility of musculoskeletal complaints and disability/symptom level in office workers.