Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the acute effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises added to soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy on pain intensity, functional disability, and pressure pain threshold in operating room nurses experiencing upper trapezius pain after surgery-related work activities. Participants will be operating room nurses working in a hospital operating theater who report upper trapezius pain and tenderness within 30 minutes after completing a surgical procedure. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving soft tissue mobilization, percussive therapy, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises, or a control group receiving soft tissue mobilization and percussive therapy alone. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional disability using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and mechanical pain sensitivity using Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) measurements. Assessments will be performed immediately before and after a single treatment session. The study aims to determine whether the addition of diaphragmatic breathing exercises provides additional benefits in reducing pain and improving function in the acute postoperative working period of operating room nurses.

Cleaning work, particularly in hospital settings, is an occupation that demands high physical load on both the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Hospital cleaning workers are at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to prolonged standing, heavy lifting, bending, pushing-pulling, and repetitive movements. This situation reduces employees' quality of life and leads to workforce loss and economic burden on the health system. Despite this, the risk levels of cleaning workers are often not adequately assessed and preventive interventions remain limited. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of the Posture Protection Program (POSKOP), developed for hospital cleaning workers, on musculoskeletal discomfort, ergonomic risk levels, and postural awareness. The study is planned as a quasi-experimental design to be conducted with 60 cleaning staff working in two public hospitals. Ergonomic risk assessment will be performed using the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS) and will be objectively analyzed through developed software. The intervention program consists of multi-component elements such as training, individual observation, instant feedback, exercise practices, visual materials (posters and pocket cards), and digital reminders (WhatsApp messages). The intervention is expected to reduce employees' musculoskeletal discomfort levels and increase their ergonomic awareness.

This study investigates the long-term effects of implementing a passive back-support exoskeleton during manual order-picking work in a real-world warehouse environment. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, particularly low back pain, are common among logistics workers due to frequent lifting, repetitive movements, and awkward postures. Although laboratory studies suggest that occupational exoskeletons can reduce biomechanical load, evidence from long-term, real-world workplace implementations remains limited. The RELAX project is an 18-month controlled in-field intervention study conducted in two departments of a Danish warehouse. Approximately 90 full-time warehouse workers will participate. Workers in the intervention department will use a passive back-support exoskeleton during manual order-picking tasks, while workers in the control department will continue their work as usual. The primary outcomes include sickness absence, employee turnover, perceived work intensity, and musculoskeletal discomfort. Secondary outcomes include productivity, user acceptance of the exoskeleton, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Outcomes will be assessed through company records, repeated questionnaires, and focus-group interviews over the 18-month period. By combining longitudinal quantitative outcomes with qualitative process evaluation, the study aims to determine whether long-term use of a passive back-support exoskeleton can improve worker well-being and reduce work-related musculoskeletal burden without negatively affecting productivity. The results may inform workplace policies and future implementation of occupational exoskeletons in physically demanding industries.

The purpose of this study is to develop a multidimensional screening tool for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) and to evaluate its psychometric properties. The study involves a cross-sectional survey of approximately 250 workers in the bio-pharmaceutical industry to assess the tool's structural validity, internal consistency, construct validity, and measurement invariance following COSMIN guidelines.

The goal of this observational study is to learn if a combination of postural exercise programs and ergonomics education can provide protective and therapeutic effects against work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in academic and administrative office staff at Bahçeşehir University (aged 20-55, working at least 3 months in an office setting). The main questions it aims to answer are: Does a 6-week program of ergonomics training and regular posture exercises reduce the frequency and severity of musculoskeletal pain? Can structured ergonomics education improve the alignment of the office environment with international safety standards (OSHA)? Is there a measurable improvement in the sleep quality of office workers following these interventions? Researchers will compare the pre-intervention baseline data to post-intervention results (after 6 weeks) to see if the interventions lead to a statistically significant reduction in physical discomfort and an increase in ergonomic compliance. Participants will: Undergo a comprehensive baseline assessment, including the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, New York Posture Analysis, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Attend a one-day intensive training program covering both theoretical ergonomics and practical postural exercises. Receive an instructional brochure with a QR code providing access to exercise videos.Perform the prescribed ergonomic adjustments and exercises during workdays for a duration of 6 weeks.Complete a follow-up assessment after 6 weeks to evaluate changes in pain levels, posture, and environmental compliance.

This study evaluates an ergonomics intervention to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dental healthcare workers in Dubai government hospitals, where up to 90% prevalence affects the lower back, neck, shoulders, and upper extremities due to repetitive tasks and postures. Using a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) across three hospitals (55 participants per intervention/control group), it assesses MSD prevalence/severity, mental health, physical activity, and KAP scores at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Analyses include logistic regression, ANOVA, and GEE. Expected outcomes: identify predictors and demonstrate intervention efficacy via education, environmental, and behavioral changes, informing UAE occupational health policies.

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of neck and low back pain among full-time staff at the Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching and Research Complex (FMSTRC), The University of the West Indies, Mona. It also seeks to assess staff members' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding spine health and to evaluate the effectiveness of an eight-week standardised spine-specific exercise programme in reducing musculoskeletal discomfort among those experiencing neck and low back pain. The study will be conducted in two phases using a descriptive cross-sectional design followed by a prospective randomised controlled trial, in which participants reporting pain will be allocated to either a spine-specific exercise intervention group or a non-spine-specific exercise control group for comparative analysis of outcomes.

This study evaluates a workstation ergonomics program at Al-Baha University aimed at reducing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among university employees who use computers regularly. The program includes an ergonomics self-assessment of the workstation, individualized guidance on proper workstation setup and posture, and practical recommendations to improve daily work habits. Participants will be followed for approximately four weeks, and changes in musculoskeletal symptoms and related outcomes will be assessed before and after the program, compared with a usual-practice control group.