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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2010 May 27:11:99.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-11-99.

Effectiveness of a questionnaire based intervention programme on the prevalence of arm, shoulder and neck symptoms, risk factors and sick leave in computer workers: a cluster randomised controlled trial in an occupational setting

Erwin M Speklé  1 , Marco J M Hoozemans, Birgitte M Blatter, Judith Heinrich, Allard J van der Beek, Dirk L Knol, Paulien M Bongers, Jaap H van Dieën
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of a questionnaire based intervention programme on the prevalence of arm, shoulder and neck symptoms, risk factors and sick leave in computer workers: a cluster randomised controlled trial in an occupational setting

Erwin M Speklé et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Arm, shoulder and neck symptoms are very prevalent among computer workers. In an attempt to reduce these symptoms, a large occupational health service in the Netherlands developed a preventive programme on exposure to risk factors, prevalence of arm, shoulder and neck symptoms, and sick leave in computer workers. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this intervention programme.

Methods: The study was a randomised controlled trial. The participants were assigned to either the intervention group or the usual care group by means of cluster randomisation. At baseline and after 12 months of follow-up, the participants completed the RSI QuickScan questionnaire on exposure to the risk factors and on the prevalence of arm, shoulder and neck symptoms. A tailor-made intervention programme was proposed to participants with a high risk profile at baseline. Examples of implemented interventions are an individual workstation check, a visit to the occupational health physician and an education programme on the prevention of arm, shoulder and neck symptoms. The primary outcome measure was the prevalence of arm, shoulder and neck symptoms. Secondary outcome measures were the scores on risk factors for arm, shoulder and neck symptoms and the number of days of sick leave. Sick leave data was obtained from the companies. Multilevel analyses were used to test the effectiveness.

Results: Of the 1,673 persons invited to participate in the study, 1,183 persons (71%) completed the baseline questionnaire and 741 persons participated at baseline as well as at 12-month follow-up. At 12-month follow-up, the intervention group showed a significant positive change (OR = 0.48) in receiving information on healthy computer use, as well as a significant positive change regarding risk indicators for work posture and movement, compared to the usual care group. There were no significant differences in changes in the prevalence of arm, shoulder and neck symptoms or sick leave between the intervention and usual care group.

Conclusions: The effects of the RSI QuickScan intervention programme were small, possibly as a result of difficulties with the implementation process of the proposed interventions. However, some significant positive effects were found as to an increase in receiving education and a decrease in exposure to adverse postures and movements. With regard to symptoms and sick leave, only small and non-significant effects were found.

Trial registration: Netherlands National Trial Register NTR1117.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow of clusters and participants through the phases of the trial. Units that discontinued the intervention, did receive full feedback on their RSI QuickScan questionnaire results, but declined other proposed interventions as a result of financial constraints.
Figure 2
Figure 2
An example of the individual feedback on the questionnaire results.
Figure 3
Figure 3
An example of the feedback on the questionnaire results of a group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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