Summary of characteristics of studies that included workplace interventions aiming to improve employee health and well-being in male-dominated industries
Author (year) | Design | Industry | Participants, context/setting/% of men | Intervention | Outcomes | Follow-up time points | Risk of bias | Intervention evaluation |
Anderson and Dusenbury (1999)32 | Quasi-experimental; participants assigned to intervention 1 (n=61), intervention 2 (n=35) and control (n=118). | Construction. | 234 blue-collar employees from worksites/USA/52.5%. | Intervention 1: group education classes for risk factors, nutrition. Intervention 2: online individual programme for risk factors, nutrition. | Cholesterol; blood pressure; height; weight; behavioural risk factor survey; 10-item questionnaire. | Baseline, 6 and 12 months. | Unclear. | Local government and research study. |
Blake et al (2019)31 | Cluster RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=196) and control (n=86). | Information technology. | 282 office workers/China/50.3%. | 10 min Qigong exercise session delivered twice per day at set times for 12 weeks via video. | Physical activity (IPAQ); work performance (WHO HPQ); weekday sitting hours. | Baseline and 12 weeks. | Low. | Research study. |
Braeckman et al (1999)11 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=272) and control (n=366). | Construction. | 638 workers from four local worksites/Belgium/100%. | Adopt a low-fat diet. Received personal counselling, feedback and 2-hour group session. | BMI; high-density cholesterol; non-fasting total serum cholesterol; 24-hour food record. | Baseline and 3 months. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Evans et al (1999)40 | Controlled trial; participants assigned to the intervention (n=10) and control (n=31). | Transport. | 41 full-time bus operators/Sweden/67.5%. | Changes on a major bus route: separate bus lanes, priority traffic signal system. | Blood pressure; heart rate; Swedish measure of perceived stress; on-the-job hassles. | Baseline and 18 months. | High. | Local government and research study. |
Faude et al (2015)33 | Longitudinal controlled trial; participants assigned to the intervention (n=45) and control (n=25). | Construction. | 70 employees from one construction company/Switzerland/ND. | Neuromuscular training for 15 min daily for 13 weeks. | COP path length; beam balancing (3 cm); beam balancing; jump height; Freiburg Physical Activity Questionnaire. | Baseline, 8 and 13 weeks. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Gram et al (2012)12 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=35) and control (n=32). | Construction. | 67 employees from three construction companies/Denmark/100%. | Exercise programme of 3×20 min sessions per week. Participants kept a training log. | Pain intensity; work ability; productivity; perceived physical exertion; sick leave. | Baseline and 6 months. | Low. | Research study. |
Gram et al (2012)13 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=35) and control (n=32). | Construction. | 67 employees from three construction companies/Denmark/100%. | Exercise programme of 3×20 min sessions per week. Participants kept a training log. | Pain intensity; work ability; productivity; perceived physical exertion; sick leave. | Baseline and 6 months. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Groeneveld et al (2010)15 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=408) and control (n=408). | Construction. | 816 construction workers/the Netherlands/100%. | 3×60 min and 4×30 min sessions. Chose diet, physical activity or smoking cessation. | Body weight; BMI; systolic and diastolic blood pressure; HDL cholesterol; total cholesterol; HbA1c. | Baseline 6 and 12 months. | Low. | Research study. |
Groeneveld et al (2011)14 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=408) and control (408). | Construction. | 816 construction workers/the Netherlands/100%. | 3×60 min and 4×30 min sessions. Chose diet, physical activity or smoking cessation. | Body weight; BMI; systolic and diastolic blood pressure; HDL cholesterol; total cholesterol; HbA1c. | Baseline, 6 and 12 months. | Low. | Research study. |
Gupta et al (2018)34 | Cluster RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=193) and control (n=122). | Manufacturing. | 415 employees from three manufacturing plants/Denmark/70.4%. | Participated in visual mapping talk with line management. Leaders, union and H&S representatives also participated. | Worker’s recovery; work ability; mental health; well-being; physical work demands; resources; productivity. | Baseline, 10 and 12 months. | Low. | Research study. |
Hammer et al (2015)41 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=167) and control (n=125). | Construction. | 264 employees from an urban municipal department/USA/90%. | Supervisors participated in FSSB and SBS computer-based training. All employees participated in workshop planning. | Blood pressure; SF-12; safety behaviours. | Baseline and 12 months. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Holmström and Ahlborg (2005)16 | Cluster RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=30) and control (n=17). | Construction. | 57 employees from a construction company/Sweden/ND. | 10 min exercises before work for 3 months. | Neck mobility; spine mobility; shoulder joint mobility. | Baseline and 3 months. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Kang et al (2018)35 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=12) and control (n=12). | Manufacturing. | 24 employees from an automobile assembly plant/South Korea/ND. | Performed exercises for 30 min each day for 6 weeks. | Back muscle strength; stork balance stand test; VAS; Oswestry Disability Index; Beck Depression Inventory. | Baseline and 6 weeks. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Kawakami et al (1999)26 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=81) and control (n=77). | Manufacturing. | 158 employees from a manufacturing plant/Japan/81%. | Participants received personalised letters with their stress levels and recommendations to help improve. | GHQ; blood pressure; serum cholesterol; triglycerides; sick leave. | Baseline and 12 months. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Kobayashi et al (2008)27 | Controlled trial; participants assigned to the intervention (n=348) and control (n=918). | Manufacturing. | 1266 employees from a manufacturing plant/Japan/92.9%. | Participated in a mental health workshop, identify three actions to improve the workplace. | Absenteeism; BJSQ; job stress assessment diagram. | Baseline and 12 months. | Low. | Company and research study. |
Limaye et al (2017)30 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=133) and control (n=132). | Information technology. | 266 employees from two information technology industries/India/74.8%. | Attended group session and OW/OB participants aimed to lose 5% weight via four goals. | BMI; waist circumference; blood pressure; plasma glucose; triglyceride; total cholesterol; HDL cholesterol; lifestyle questionnaire. | Baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. | Low. | Research study. |
Limm et al (2011)42 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=75) and control (n=79). | Manufacturing. | 174 employees from a manufacturing plant/Germany/99%. | Participated in 24×45 min group sessions on individual work stress situations. | Stress reactivity scale; effort-reward imbalance model; cortisol; α-amylase; HADS. | Baseline and 12 months. | Low. | Research study. |
Maes et al (1998)28 | Quasi-experimental; participants assigned to the intervention (n=234) and control (n=130). | Manufacturing. | 264 employees from Brabantia assembly sites/the Netherlands/ND. | Year 1: lifestyle changes with three weekly sessions. Years 2 and 3: quality of work changes with leadership session. | BMI; heart rate; systolic and diastolic blood pressure; total cholesterol; absenteeism; wellness at work; Symptom Checklist-90; Work Stress Questionnaire. | Baseline, years 1, 2 and 3. | Unclear. | Company and evaluated as a research study. |
Matsugaki et al (2019)39 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=30) and control (n=30). | Manufacturing. | 60 employees from manufacturing companies/Japan. | Monthly, face-to-face personalised physical activity and nutrition education programme for 6 months. | 30 s chair stand; grip strength; balance; body composition. | Baseline and 6 months. | Low. | Research study. |
McCraty et al (2003)43 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=18) and control (n=14). | Information technology. | 38 employees from an information technology company/America/71.5%. | Participated in a 16-hour programme addressing positive emotion refocusing and emotional restricting techniques. | Blood pressure, emotional health; workplace-related measures. | Baseline and 3 months. | Unclear. | Company and evaluated as a research study. |
Milner et al (2018)18 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=343) and control (n=302). | Construction. | 682 employees from construction companies/Australia/100%. | Access to the Contact+Connect programme with 1 weekly message for 6 weeks. | Self-Stigma of Depression Scale; suicidal ideation; suicide communication; SBQ-R. | Baseline and 6 weeks. | Low. | Company and evaluated as a research study. |
Milner et al (2020)17 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=227) and control (n=215). | Construction. | 442 employees from construction companies/Australia/100%. | Access to the Contact+Connect programme with 1 weekly message for 6 weeks. | Self-Stigma of Depression Scale; suicidal ideation; suicide communication; SBQ-R. | Baseline and 6 weeks. | Low. | Company and evaluated as a research study. |
Molek-Winiarska and Żołnierczyk-Zreda (2018)19 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=32) and control (n=34). | Mining. | 66 employees from a mining company/Poland. | Received the MBSR intervention, sessions were held in 4×8-hour meetings and one mindfulness days. | JCQ; GHQ-28. | Baseline and 3 months. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Muñoz-Poblete et al (2019)38 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=53) and control (n=56). | Manufacturing. | 109 employees from manufacturing companies/Chile/80.8%. | Received a resistance-based exercise programme, 3 times a week for 15 min. Control group received stretching exercises. | VAS; DASH questionnaire; psychosocial risk measurement; physical risk measurement. | Baseline and 16 weeks. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Muyor et al (2012)20 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=27) and control (n=31). | Manufacturing. | 58 employees from a manufacturing company/Spain/0%. | Hamstring stretches/exercises three times a week for 12 weeks. | Straight leg raise (right and left leg); toe-touch test. | Baseline and 12 weeks. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Nakao et al (2007)21 | Cohort; participants assigned to the intervention (n=283) and control (n=22). | Information technology. | 305 employees from an information technology company/Japan/100%. | Offered counselling via email/phone and referred to psychiatric clinic. Attended five seminars. | HAM-D and JCQ. | Baseline and 2 years. | Unclear. | Company and research study. |
Nishinoue et al (2012)44 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=62) and control (n=62). | Information technology. | 127 employees from an information technology company/Japan/85.75%. | Sleep hygiene education session followed by individual session discussing their chosen behaviour modification. | PSQI. | Baseline and 3 months. | Unclear. | Research study. |
Oude Hengel et al (2012)22 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=171) and control (n=122). | Construction. | 293 employees from six construction companies/the Netherlands/99%. | Individual training sessions with three physical goals. Two group mental health sessions. | JCQ; Utrecht Work Engagement Scale; physical workload; VBBA. | Baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. | Low. | Research study. |
Oude Hengel et al (2013)23 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=171) and control (n=122). | Construction. | 293 employees from six construction companies/the Netherlands/99%. | Individual training sessions with three physical goals. Two group mental health sessions. | Absenteeism; Work Ability Index; SF-12; Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. | Baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. | Low. | Research study. |
Pidd et al (2018)36 | Cluster non-RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=169) and control (n=148). | Manufacturing. | 317 employees from three manufacturing companies/Australia/87.4%. | Formal alcohol workplace policy, employee programme, manager training session and employee referral pathway. | 3-item AUDIT-C; European alcohol workplace and alcohol baseline questionnaire; alcohol-related harm in the workplace; policy awareness. | Baseline and 12 months. | Unclear. | Company and research study. |
Rasotto et al (2015)25 | Cluster RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=30) and control (n=30). | Manufacturing. | 60 employees from a manufacturing company/Italy/0%. | Exercise programme for 30 min twice a week for 6 months. | VAS (neck, elbow, shoulder, wrist); SH (el, ab); FL head; EX head; LI head; RO head; DASH questionnaire; NPDS-1. | Baseline and 6 months. | Low. | Research study. |
Umanodan et al (2009)45 | Controlled trial; participants assigned to the intervention (n=96) and control (n=53). | Manufacturing. | 149 employees from a steel company/Japan/90%. | 6-monthly sessions lasting 30 min following a multicomponent SMT programme. | BJSQ; MBI-GS; WHO HPQ. | Baseline and 6 months. | High. | Research study. |
Umanodan et al (2014)46 | Cluster RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=142) and control (n=121). | Manufacturing. | 263 employees from a manufacturing company/Japan/92.6%. | Computer-based SMT intervention, each split into two sessions. Suggested pace of 1 per week. | BJSQ; UWES-J; WHO HPQ; BSCP. | Baseline, 9 and 19 weeks. | Low. | Research study. |
Viester et al (2018)24 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=162) and control (n=152). | Construction. | 314 employees from construction companies/the Netherlands/100%. | Individual coaching sessions to change lifestyle behaviour over 6 months. | BMI; waist circumference; blood pressure; total cholesterol; SQUASH questionnaire. | Baseline, 6 and 12 months. | Research study. | |
Zebis et al (2011)37 | RCT; participants assigned to the intervention (n=282) and control (n=255). | Manufacturing. | 537 employees from two manufacturing companies/Denmark/15.5%. | Exercise programme for 1 hour per week over 20 weeks. | Modified Nordic Questionnaire; training frequency. | Baseline and 6 weeks. | Low. | Research study. |
AUDIT-C, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption; BSCP, Brief Scales for Coping Profile; FSSB, Family-Supportive Supervisor Behaviours; HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HAM-D, Hamilton Depressing Rating Scale; HbA1c, Haemoglobin A1c; H&S, Health and Safety; MBI-GS, Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey; MBSR, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction; PSQI, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; SBS, Supervisor Based Safety; SH (el, ab), Shoulder (elevation, abduction); SMT, Stress Management Training; UWES-J, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale - Japanese.