Body@Work

The effect of improving physical activity and work style on work-related upper extremity disorders in VDU workers - a randomized controlled trial

PERIOD
10.02 - 10.06
 

FUNDING
Body@Work, Centre for Research on Physical Activity, Work and Health TNO-VUmc
 

INVESTIGATORS
C. Bernaards, PhD
V. Hildebrandt, MD, PhD
 

1 Body@Work, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO-VU
2 Department of Public and Occupational Health, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam
3 TNO Quality of Life, Department of Physical Activity and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands
 

OBJECTIVES
To investigate whether or not advice on physical activity and/or work style improves the process of recovery from work-related complaints in the upper extremities of VDU workers.
 

METHODS
Improving physical activity may play a role in the recovery from work-related upper extremity disorders (WRUEDs) in VDU workers by improving the ability to reduce physical strain, by counterbalancing work-related repetitive movements and by reducing work-related stress. The study population consists of VDU workers with non-specific work-related complaints in neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands (WRUEDs). The design of this study is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) with a follow-up period of six month. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: 1) Work style group. This group will receive advice on workplace design, working posture, frequency of breaks and coping with work-related stress. 2) Combination group. This group will receive the same advice as in group 1 but in addition participants will be stimulated to improve their level of physical activity. 3) Control group. This group will not receive any intervention. Participants in the intervention groups attend four large group meetings (10 participants in one group) and two small group meetings (3 participants in one group). Primary outcome variables are degree of recovery from WRUEDs, presence and intensity of complaints in the upper extremities, and the degree of limitation experienced during work- and daily life activities due to WRUEDs. Secondary outcome variables are level of physical activity, body posture during computer and ergonomics of the workplace, frequency of breaks, cardiovascular fitness, grip strength and stage of change with regard to work style and physical activity. Finally, the process of carrying out the intervention will be evaluated in view of future implementation. Outcome variables will be measured three times: prior to the start of the intervention (T0), at the end of the six month intervention (T1) and 12 months after the start of the intervention (T2).
 

RESULTS
466 VDU workers filled out the baseline questionnaire and were randomized into group 1 (N = 152), group 2 (N = 156) and group 3 (N = 158).

Claire Bernaards
More information:
e-mail: claire.bernaards@tno.nl 
 

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