The effects of workplace intervention programs to manage work-related musculoskeletal pain among poultry slaughterhouse workers: A randomized controlled trial
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: The prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal pain (WMSP) among poultry slaughterhouse workers (PSW) has been reported in the shoulder, arm, and hand due to the involvement of repetitive and forceful upper limb movements. An intervention program is needed to reduce upper limb pain and improve upper limb functions among PSW.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of workplace intervention programs on musculoskeletal pain, upper limb functions, and work ability among PSW.
Materials and methods: A total of 48 participants (21 males and 27 females) who met the inclusion criteria were recruited into the study. The participants were allocated into two groups: The workplace intervention group (WIG, N=24; 10 males; 14 females) and the control group (CG, N=24; 11 males; 13 females). The WIG performed the exercise training with elastic resistance bands (ERB) and stretching exercises for eight weeks, and the CG did not perform any activity. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), shoulder reach flexibility test, active range of motion (AROM), the disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (KKU-DASH), and Thai Work Ability Index (Thai WAI) were used as outcome evaluations. The two-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) with repeated measures (group x time) were used for statistical analyses, and the statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: Approximately 79.1% (N=19) of the participants in WIG reported significantly decreased pain intensity of upper limb 3.06 (0.83 to -5.4) in the right side (p<0.01) and 1.96 (1.6 to -5.6) in the left side (p<0.001) after the 8-week intervention. Meanwhile, shoulder flexibility in WIG significantly increased (p<0.001) to around 3.55 cm. (0.67 to 8.20) on the right side and 5.61 cm. (2.0 to 10.67) on the left side. For AROM in WIG, neck flexion, lateral neck flexion, neck rotation, and left shoulder flexion significantly increased (p<0.05), as well as KKU-DASH and Thai WAI scores (p<0.001). There was no significant difference within-group in all variables in CG.
Conclusion: The workplace intervention program significantly reduced upper limb pain and increased neck movement and shoulder flexion among PSW. The training programs also improved work ability and reduced disability with upper extremity musculoskeletal conditions among PSW.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
References
Tingulstad A, Meneses-Echavez J, Evensen LH, Bjerk M, Berg RC. Effectiveness of work-related interventions for return to work in people on sick leave: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Syst Rev. 2022; 11(1): 192. doi:10.1186/s13643- 022-02055-7.
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). National income of Thailand 2020,
chain volume measures [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2022 Nov 16]. Available from: https://www.nesdc.go.th/ ewt_dl_link.php?nid=12298&filename=ni_page.
Tirloni AS, Reis DC, Borgatto AF, Moro ARP. Association between perception of bodily discomfort and individual and work organisational factors in Brazilian slaughterhouse workers: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2019; 9(2): e022824. doi:10.1136/bmjopen- 2018-022824.
Hancharoenkul B, Joseph L, Khamwong P, Pirunsan U. An investigation of the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain and related disability among poultry slaughterhouse workers: A cross-sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2022; 96(3): 463-72. doi: 10.1007/s00420-022-01940-x.
Reis DCD, Tirloni AS, Ramos E, Moro ARP. Assessment of risk factors of upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in a chicken slaughterhouse. Jpn J Ergon. 2017; 53 (Supplement2): S458-S61. doi:10.5100/jje.53.S458.
Schulz MR, Grzywacz JG, Chen H, Mora DC, Arcury TA, Marín AJ, et al. Upper body musculoskeletal symptoms of Latino poultry processing workers and a comparison group of Latino manual workers. Am J Ind Med. 2013; 56(2): 197-205. doi:10.1002/ ajim.22100.
Tirloni AS, Reis DC, Santos JB, Reis PF, Barbosa A, Moro AR. Body discomfort in poultry slaughterhouse workers. Work. 2012; 41 Suppl 1: 2420-5. doi:10.3233/ WOR- 2012-0651-2420.
Sundstrup E, Seeberg KGV, Bengtsen E, Andersen LL. A systematic review of workplace interventions to rehabilitate musculoskeletal disorders among employees with physical demanding work. J Occup Rehabil. 2020; 30(4): 588-612. doi: 10.1007/s10926- 020-09879-x.
Sundstrup E, Jakobsen MD, Jay K, Brandt M, Andersen LL. High intensity physical exercise and pain in the neck and upper limb among slaughterhouse workers: Cross-sectional study. Biomed Res Int. 2014; 218546. doi:10.1155/ 2014/218546.
Sundstrup E, Jakobsen MD, Brandt M, Jay K, Aagaard P, Andersen LL. Strength training improves fatigue resistance and self-rated health in workers with chronic pain: A randomized controlled trial. Biomed Res Int. 2016; 2016: 4137918. doi: 10.1155/2016/4137918.
Sundstrup E, Jakobsen MD, Andersen CH, Jay K, Persson R, Aagaard P, et al. Effect of two contrasting interventions on upper limb chronic pain and disability: A randomized controlled trial. Pain Physician. 2014; 17(2): 145-54.
World Health Organization. Preventing disease through a healthier and safer workspace. 2018 [cited 2020 Sep 15]. Available from: https://www. who.int/publications/i/item/preventing-diseasethrough-a-healthier-and-safer-workspace.
Aboodarda SJ, Page PA, Behm DG. Muscle activation comparisons between elastic and isoinertial resistance: A meta-analysis. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2016; 39: 52-61. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech. 2016.09.008.
Seguin RC, Cudlip AC, Holmes MWR. The efficacy of upper-extremity elastic resistance training on shoulder strength and performance: A systematic review. Sports (Basel). 2022; 10(2): 24. doi:10.3390/ sports10020024.
Hammami M, Gaamouri N, Wagner H, Pagaduan JC, Hill L, Nikolaidis PT, et al. Effects of strength training with elastic band programme on fitness components in young female handball players: A randomized controlled trial. Biol Sport. 2022; 39(3): 537-45. doi:10.5114/biolsport.2022.106390.
Iversen V, Vasseljen O, Mork P, Berthelsen I, Børke J-B, Bertheussen G, et al. Resistance training in addition to multidisciplinary rehabilitation for patients with chronic pain in the low back: Study protocol. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2017; 6: 115-21. doi:10. 1016/j.conctc.2017.04.001.
Iversen V, Vasseljen O, Mork P, Gismervik S, Bertheussen G, Salvesen O, et al. Resistance band training or general exercise in multidisciplinary rehabilitation of low back pain? A randomized trial. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2018; 28(9): 2074-83. doi:10.1111/sms.13091.
Sundstrup E, Jakobsen MD, Andersen CH, Jay K, Persson R, Aagaard P, et al. Participatory ergonomic intervention versus strength training on chronic pain and work disability in slaughterhouse workers: Study protocol for a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2013; 14: 67. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-14-67.
Mansoori SS, Moustafa IM, Ahbouch A, Harrison DE. Optimal duration of stretching exercise in patients with chronic myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. J Rehabil Med. 2021; 53(1): jrm00142. doi:10.2340/ 16501977-2781.
Assumpção A, Matsutani LA, Yuan SL, Santo AS, Sauer J, Mango P, et al. Muscle stretching exercises and resistance training in fibromyalgia: Which is better? A three-arm randomized controlled trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2018; 54(5): 663-70. doi:10.23736/ S1973-9087.17.04876-6.
Decathlon Sports Thailand. Pilates equipment. 2022 [cited 2023 Jan 25]. Available from: https://www. decathlon.co.th/en/pilates-equipment/pilatesequipment-15778.
Morishita S, Tsubaki A, Takabayashi T, Fu J. Relationship between the rating of perceived exertion scale and the load intensity of resistance training. Strength Cond J. 2018; 40(2): 94-109. doi:10.1519/ SSC.0000000000000373.
Bove A, Lynch A, DePaul S, Terhorst L, Irrgang J, Fitzgerald G. Test-retest reliability of rating of perceived exertion and agreement with 1-repetition maximum in adults. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2016; 46(9): 768-74. doi:10.2519/ jospt.2016.6498.
Boonstra AM, Schiphorst Preuper HR, Reneman MF, Posthumus JB, Stewart RE. Reliability and validity of the visual analogue scale for disability in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Int J Rehabil Res. 2008; 31(2): 165-9. doi:10.1097/ MRR.0b013e3282fc0f93.
Angthong C, Chernchujit B, Suntharapa T, Harnroongroj T. Visual analogue scale foot and ankle: validity and reliability of Thai version of the new outcome score in subjective. J Med Assoc Thai. 2011; 94(8): 952-7.
Hueter-Becker A, Doelken M, Fründ A. Physical therapy examination and assessment. New York : Thieme; 2015.
Bucht H, Donath L. Sauna yoga superiorly improves flexibility, strength, and balance: A two-armed randomized controlled trial in healthy older adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019; 16(19): 3721. doi:10.3390/ijerph16193721.
Kim SG, Kim EK. Test-retest reliability of an active range of motion test for the shoulder and hip joints by unskilled examiners using a manual goniometer. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016; 28(3): 722-4. doi:10.1589/ jpts.28.722.
Jianmongkol S, Kosuwon W, Thammaroj T, Boonard M. Validity of the thai version of Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (KKU-DASH) in patients with brachial plexus injury. J Med Assoc Thai. 2011; 94(1): 71-7.
Kaewboonchoo O, Ratanasiripong P. Psychometric properties of the Thai version of the work ability index (Thai WAI). J Occup Health. 2015;57(4):371-7. doi:10.1539/joh.14-0173-OA.
Mordkoff JT. A Simple Method for Removing Bias From a Popular Measure of Standardized Effect Size: Adjusted Partial Eta Squared. Adv Methods Pract Psychol Sci. 2019; 2(3):228-32. doi:10.1177/ 2515245919855053.
Dworkin RH, Turk DC, McDermott MP, Peirce-Sandner S, Burke LB, Cowan P, et al. Interpreting the clinical importance of group differences in chronic pain clinical trials: Impact recommendations. Pain. 2009; 146(3): 238-44. doi:10.1016/j. pain.2009.08.019.
Paungmali A, O’Leary S, Souvlis T, Vicenzino B. Naloxone fails to antagonize initial hypoalgesic effect of a manual therapy treatment for lateral epicondylalgia. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004; 27(3):180-5. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2003.12.022.
van den Berg T, Elders L, de Zwart B, Burdorf A. The effects of work-related and individual factors on the work ability index: A systematic review. Occup Environ Med. 2009; 66(4): 211-20. doi:10.1136/ oem.2008.039883.
Bhimani R, Hang JY. Prevalence and characteristics of muscle tightness in young adults. Orthop Nurs. 2022; 41(3): 221-6. doi:10.1097/NOR.0000000000000817.
Shariat A, Cleland JA, Danaee M, Kargarfard M, Sangelaji B, Tamrin SBM. Effects of stretching exercise training and ergonomic modifications on musculoskeletal discomforts of office workers: A randomized controlled trial. Braz J Phys Ther. 2018; 22(2): 144-53. doi:10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.09.003.
Ylinen J, Kautiainen H, Wirén K, Häkkinen A. Stretching exercises vs manual therapy in treatment of chronic neck pain: A randomized, controlled cross-over trial. J Rehabil Med. 2007; 39(2): 126-32. doi:10.2340/ 16501977-0015.
Opplert J, Babault N. Acute effects of dynamic stretching on muscle flexibility and performance: An analysis of the current literature. Sports Med. 2018; 48(2): 299-325. doi:10.1007/s40279-017-0797-9.
Westcott W. ACSM strength training guidelines: Role in body composition and health enhancement. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2009; 13(4): 14-22. doi:10.1249/ FIT. 0b013e3181aaf460.
Lagally K, Amorose A. The validity of using prior ratings of perceived exertion to regulate resistance exercise intensity. Percept Mot Skills. 2007; 104(2): 534-42. doi:10.2466/pms.104.2.534-542.