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Effectiveness of an ergonomic intervention on the productivity of workers with upper-extremity disorders--a randomized controlled trial.

K. Martimo,R. Shiri,H. Miranda,R. Ketola,H. Varonen,E. Viikari-Juntura

Published 2010 in Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an ergonomic intervention on productivity loss at work caused by upper-extremity disorders (UED). METHODS Workers with medically verified UED were invited to participate. The intervention consisted of a physician contacting the worker's supervisor and an occupational physiotherapist conducting an ergonomic assessment at the worksite. Before and after the intervention, the employees self-assessed UED-related productivity loss (ie, decreased quality and quantity of the daily work output). We tested for differences between groups at 8 and sub-sequently 12 weeks. We also applied generalized estimating equation (GEE) to analyze repeated measures data. RESULTS Altogether 177 employees were randomized. The overall participation rate was 88%. At baseline, 54% of the intervention group and 58% of the control group reported productivity loss. The magnitude of productivity loss was 17% and 20%, respectively. At 8 weeks, both the proportion and magnitude of productivity loss were lower in the intervention than the control group, but the differences were statistically significant only at 12 weeks (proportion 25% versus 51%, magnitude 7% versus 18%, P=0.001 for both). Using GEE analyses, we also found the differences to be statistically significant (proportion 38% versus 52%, magnitude 12% versus 18%). The intervention only benefitted employees with 0-20% loss of productivity at baseline, not those with a higher initial productivity loss. CONCLUSIONS Early ergonomic intervention, in addition to adequate medical care, is effective in preventing and restoring self-reported productivity loss associated with UED.

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