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A randomised controlled trial on whether a participatory ergonomics intervention could prevent musculoskeletal disorders
  1. E Haukka1,
  2. P Leino-Arjas1,
  3. E Viikari-Juntura1,
  4. E-P Takala1,
  5. A Malmivaara2,
  6. L Hopsu1,
  7. P Mutanen1,
  8. R Ketola1,
  9. T Virtanen1,
  10. I Pehkonen1,
  11. M Holtari-Leino3,
  12. J Nykänen4,
  13. S Stenholm5,
  14. E Nykyri1,
  15. H Riihimäki1
  1. 1
    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
  2. 2
    National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Helsinki, Finland
  3. 3
    Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate of Turku and Pori, Turku, Finland
  4. 4
    Helsinki City Social Services Department, Helsinki, Finland
  5. 5
    National Public Health Institute, Turku, Finland
  1. Eija Haukka, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FI-00250, Helsinki, Finland; Eija.Haukka{at}ttl.fi

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the efficacy of a participatory ergonomics intervention in preventing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers. Participatory ergonomics is commonly recommended to reduce musculoskeletal disorders, but evidence for its effectiveness is sparse.

Methods: A cluster randomised controlled trial among the 504 workers of 119 kitchens in Finland was conducted during 2002–2005. Kitchens were randomised to an intervention (n = 59) and control (n = 60) group. The duration of the intervention that guided the workers to identify strenuous work tasks and to seek solutions for decreasing physical and mental workload, was 11 to 14 months. In total, 402 ergonomic changes were implemented. The main outcome measures were the occurrence of and trouble caused by musculoskeletal pain in seven anatomical sites, local fatigue after work, and sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders. Individual level data were collected by a questionnaire at baseline and every 3 months during the intervention and 1-year follow-up period. All response rates exceeded 92%.

Results: No systematic differences in any outcome variable were found between the intervention and control groups during the intervention or during the 1-year follow-up.

Conclusions: The intervention did not reduce perceived physical work load and no evidence was found for the efficacy of the intervention in preventing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers. It may be that a more comprehensive redesign of work organisation and processes is needed, taking more account of workers’ physical and mental resources.

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Footnotes

  • Funding: The Academy of Finland (Health Promotion Research Programme), the Finnish Work Environment Fund, the Ministry of Labour and the Local Government Pensions Institution.

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: The Ethics Committee of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health approved the study proposal.

  • Patient consent: Obtained.