RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Relative benefit of a stage of change approach for the prevention of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort: a cluster randomised trial
JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine
JO Occup Environ Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 784
OP 791
DO 10.1136/oemed-2015-102916
VO 72
IS 11
A1 Diana Doda
A1 Paul Rothmore
A1 Dino Pisaniello
A1 Nancy Briggs
A1 Sasha Stewart
A1 Mohammed Mahmood
A1 Janet E Hiller
YR 2015
UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/72/11/784.abstract
AB Objectives To examine the benefit of a psychological Stage of Change (SOC) approach, relative to standard ergonomics advice, for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal pain and discomfort (MSPD).Methods A cluster randomised trial was conducted in South Australia across a broad range of workplaces. Repeated face-to-face interviews were conducted onsite to assess MSPD, safety climate, job satisfaction and other factors. Changes in MSPD across intervention groups and time were investigated using Generalised Estimating Equation (GEE) methods.Results 25 workgroups (involving 242 workers) were randomly allocated to either a standard intervention or an intervention tailored according to SOC. The prevalence of MSPD increased for both groups, but was only significant for the standard group, in respect of lower back MSPD. Workers receiving tailored interventions were 60% less likely to experience lower back MSPD. After adjusting for age, gender and job satisfaction, it was found that company safety climate and length of employment were significantly correlated to the time-intervention effect. There was no correlation with workload.Conclusions Compared with standard ergonomics advice to management, there was evidence of a benefit of stage-matched intervention for MSPD prevention, particularly for low back pain. Organisational safety climate should be taken into account when planning prevention programmes.