The Effectiveness of a Chair to Ergonomic Pain Relief of Agriculture Karen Ethnic Group in Mea Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study employed a one-group pretest-posttest design to investigate the effectiveness of an ergonomic pain relief chair developed for ethnic farmers. A total of 30 participants were recruited. Data were collected over a four-week period using structured questionnaires, a pain score assessment, and a satisfaction survey. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (paired t-test).

The findings revealed that the majority of participants were female (56.7%), aged between 30 and 44 years (46.7%), with a normal body mass index (36.7%). Most had completed primary education (43.3%), were married (80%), and had a household income ranging from 3,001 to 6,000 Baht per month (80%). A statistically significant reduction in mean muscle pain scores was observed following the intervention (p < 0.05), with scores decreasing from 3.97 at baseline to 1.87, 1.97, and 1.17 at subsequent measurement points.

The study concludes that the ergonomic pain relief chair, developed by Karen ethnic farmers in Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province, is effective in mitigating muscle pain associated with agricultural work. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the chair. The findings underscore the importance of promoting accessible ergonomic innovations among ethnic farming communities. Further research should explore the applicability of such interventions across different ethnic groups and agricultural sectors to enhance farmers’ occupational health and overall quality of life.