Conclusion This study provides strong evidence for the effectiveness of pedometer walking interventions in increasing PA levels for patients with MSDs .
Our findings suggest that a combination of interventions is likely to be the most effective strategy to maximize health benefits in the short term .
Background Physical activity ( PA ) plays an important role in the prevention and management of a number of chronic conditions .
Aim : to investigate the evidence for effectiveness of pedometer-driven walking programs to promote physical activity among patients with musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) .
Effect of physical exercise interventions on musculoskeletal pain in all body regions among office workers: a one-year randomized controlled trial.
This study investigated effects of physical exercise on  musculoskeletal pain symptoms in all regions of the body , as well as on other musculoskeletal pain in association with neck pain . A single blind r and omized controlled trial testing a one-year exercise intervention was performed among 549 office workers ;  specific neck/shoulder resistance training , all-round physical exercise , or a reference intervention . Pain symptoms were determined by question naire screening of twelve selected body regions . Case individuals were identified for each body region as those reporting pain intensities at baseline of 3 or more ( scale of 0 - 9 ) during the last three months . For neck cases specifically , the additional number of pain regions was counted . Intensity of pain decreased significantly more in the neck , low back , right elbow and right h and in cases of the two exercise groups compared with the reference group ( P<0.0001 - 0.05 ) . The additional number of pain regions in neck cases decreased in the two exercise groups only ( P<0.01 - 0.05 ) . In individuals with no or minor pain at baseline , development of pain was minor in all three groups . In conclusion , both specific resistance training and all-round physical exercise for office workers caused better effects than a reference intervention in relieving musculoskeletal pain symptoms in exposed regions of the upper body
Conclusion This study provides strong evidence for the effectiveness of pedometer walking interventions in increasing PA levels for patients with MSDs .
Our findings suggest that a combination of interventions is likely to be the most effective strategy to maximize health benefits in the short term .
Background Physical activity ( PA ) plays an important role in the prevention and management of a number of chronic conditions .
Aim : to investigate the evidence for effectiveness of pedometer-driven walking programs to promote physical activity among patients with musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) .