Evaluation of Two Preventive Interventions for Reducing Musculoskeletal Complaints in Operators of Video Display Terminals

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a preventive ergonomic intervention, which was provided by physical therapists, on spinal and upper-extremity work-related posture and symptom complaints of workers who use video display terminals (VDT). Two hundred employees who spent at lea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical therapy 2007-05, Vol.87 (5), p.536-544
Main Authors: Pillastrini, Paolo, Mugnai, Raffaele, Farneti, Chiara, Bertozzi, Lucia, Bonfiglioli, Roberta, Curti, Stefania, Mattioli, Stefano, Violante, Francesco Saverio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Back
Care and treatment
Computer operators
Computer Terminals
Ergonomics
Female
Health aspects
Humans
Intervention
Italy
Logistic Models
Male
Musculoskeletal diseases
Musculoskeletal System - physiopathology
Neck pain
Occupational Diseases - prevention & control
Occupational safety
Pain - physiopathology
Pain - prevention & control
Pain Measurement
Physical therapy
Physiological aspects
Posture - physiology
Prevention
Risk factors
VDTs
Video display terminals
Workers
Wrist
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a preventive ergonomic intervention, which was provided by physical therapists, on spinal and upper-extremity work-related posture and symptom complaints of workers who use video display terminals (VDT). Two hundred employees who spent at least 20 hours per week at a VDT were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group E received the ergonomic intervention and an informative brochure, and group I received only the brochure. Both groups were evaluated at the beginning of the study and at a follow-up 5 months later. The following tools were used: a pain drawing and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method to assess spinal and upper-extremity work-related posture. Group E had a lower REBA score and reduced lower back, neck, and shoulder symptoms compared with group I. The results suggest that a personalized preventive ergonomic intervention can improve spinal and upper-extremity work-related posture and musculoskeletal symptoms for workers who use VDTs.
ISSN:0031-9023
1538-6724
DOI:10.2522/ptj.20060092