The Preventive Programs for the Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Telephone Directory Assistance Workplace

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of an in-house work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) preventive programs in a telephone directory assistance workplace. METHODS: The subjects (N=177) were divided into four groups (nonparticipants, 41; preventive exercise, 31; self-physical therapy, 40; both, 65) by program participation type. The results of WMSDs program were obtained by questionnaire, which consisted of upper extremities'(neck, shoulder, arm, hand) symptom prevalence, self-rating symptom severity, and before-after symptom change between 1995 and 1998 data and workers'satisfaction by program participation. RESULTS: The prevalence of symptoms related WMSDs was only reduced in neck region of nonparticipants, other groups not in significant. The pain scale (5-likert) of each region was significantly decreased in neck, arm and hand of nonparticipants. In other groups, there was no significant change in the prevalence of WMSDs. The change of visual analogue scale was decreased by 21.7% in self-physical therapy group (p=0.043). The subjects mostly were satisfied with this in-house programs. Above all, preventive exercise and both program groups showed content over 80%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of before-after symptoms change was not inconsistent, but subjects were showed high satisfaction about the preventive programs. In attempts to improve the WMSDs related symptoms, the best results will be achieved with ongoing in-house preventive programs practice and periodic outcomes assessments.