Effectiveness of Ergonomic Intervention

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This Research study aims to investigate the long term effectiveness of a workstation ergonomic intervention for work-related posture and low back pain (LBP) of Video Display Terminal (VDT) workers

Detailed Description
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A non-randomized, crossover trial design was used with follow-up repeated 6, 12, and 30 months from baseline in the first intervention period and then beginning at 6 months following the crossover. The administrative offices in the two main buildings of the town hall of Forlì, Italy. The study population was composed of 400 employees, who used VDTs for at least 20 hours a week, of whom we randomly selected 100 participants from each building. Of the 200 initial participants, 153 completed the study; the dropouts were due to illness/injury or maternity. Participants were assigned to intervention or control during the first period and then crossed over after a 30-month washout. The intervention used in this investigation was an ergonomic adjustment of the VDT workstation design. Our study showed that the workstation ergonomic adjustment improved work-related posture and in reducing LBP in VDT operators among subjects who received the intervention both in the first period and in the crossover, and maintained these positive effects for at least 30 months.

Official Title
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Effectiveness of an Ergonomic Intervention on Work-Related Posture and Low Back Pain in Video Display Terminal Operators: a 3 Year Cross-Over Trial

Conditions
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Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Ergonomic Intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: The study population was composed of 400 employees, who used VDTs for at least 20 hours a week Exclusion Criteria: Subjects were excluded if pregnant or had a medical history of serious injury, spinal surgery, malignant pathology, or severe disability

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br>The first Arm received the intervention between baseline and the first follow-up, whereas the second Arm was the Control group | Other: Ergonomic Intervention<br>* The intervention used in this investigation was an ergonomic adjustment of the VDT workstation design<br>* Other names: Preventive Intervention of Musculoskeletal Disorders;|
| Experimental: 2<br>The second Arm received the intervention between the third and the fourth follow-up, whereas the first Arm was the Control group | Other: Ergonomic Intervention<br>* The intervention used in this investigation was an ergonomic adjustment of the VDT workstation design<br>* Other names: Preventive Intervention of Musculoskeletal Disorders;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| R.E.B.A. (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) method |  | Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, 30 months, 36 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain Drawing with a Visual Analogue Scale |  | Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, 30 months, 36 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Ergonomic intervention, Musculoskeletal disorders, Low back pain, Posture, Video display terminal