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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research article

Effects on musculoskeletal pain, work ability and sickness absence in a 1-year randomised controlled trial among cleaners

Authors: Marie B Jørgensen, Anne Faber, Jørgen V Hansen, Andreas Holtermann, Karen Søgaard

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

Only a few workplace initiatives among cleaners have been reported, even though they constitute a job group in great need of health promotion. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the effect of either physical coordination training or cognitive behavioural training on musculoskeletal pain, work ability and sickness absence among cleaners.

Methods

A cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted among 294 female cleaners allocated to either physical coordination training (PCT), cognitive behavioural training (CBTr) or a reference group (REF). Questionnaires about musculoskeletal pain and work ability were completed at baseline and after one year's intervention. Sickness absence data were obtained from the managers' records. Analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat-principle (ITT).

Results

No overall reduction in musculoskeletal pain, work ability or sickness absence from either PCT or CBTr compared with REF was found in conservative ITT analyses. However, explorative analyses revealed a treatment effect for musculoskeletal pain of the PCT. People with chronic neck/shoulder pain at baseline were more frequently non-chronic at follow-up after PCT compared with REF (p = 0.05).

Conclusions

The PCT intervention appeared effective for reducing chronic neck/shoulder pain among the female cleaners. It is recommended that future interventions among similar high-risk job groups focus on the implementation aspects of the interventions to maximise outcomes more distal from the intervention such as work ability and sickness absence.

Trial registration

ISRCTN: ISRCTN96241850
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Effects on musculoskeletal pain, work ability and sickness absence in a 1-year randomised controlled trial among cleaners
Authors
Marie B Jørgensen
Anne Faber
Jørgen V Hansen
Andreas Holtermann
Karen Søgaard
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-840

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