Workplace-Based Exercise Intervention Improves Work Ability in Office Workers: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial

Joshua Zheng Rui Ting, Xiaoqi Chen and Venerina Johnston
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Joshua Zheng Rui Ting: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Xiaoqi Chen: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Venerina Johnston: RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4006, Australia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-10

Abstract: Neck pain is a burden to employers and employees amenable to improvement with neck/shoulder strengthening exercises. However, the benefits of such interventions on office workers’ work ability remains unknown. This study evaluated the effects of a 12-week combined ergonomics and neck/shoulder strengthening exercise intervention (EET, n = 177, mean age 41.7 years, 26% female), versus a 12-week combined ergonomics and health promotion intervention (EHP, n = 173, mean age 43 years, 29% female) on work ability among office workers. Work ability was measured by a single question. Differences in the work ability score were analyzed using the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (i.e., adherence ?70%) analyses for between- and within-group differences at baseline, 12 weeks, and 12 months. A sub-group analysis was performed for neck cases, defined as reporting neck pain as ?3 (out of 10). No significant between-group differences for work ability were observed in the general population, and subgroup of neck cases. A significant group-by-time interaction effect at 12 weeks and the trend for significance at 12 months favored the EET group in the per-protocol analysis of the neck cases. EET was effective in increasing work ability post-intervention and potentially, in the long-term, in symptomatic participants with ?70% adherence to the intervention. However, EET was not superior to EHP.

Keywords: work ability; neck/shoulder strengthening exercises; office workers; neck pain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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