Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Implementation Science
Published in: Implementation Science 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Process evaluation of a participatory ergonomics programme to prevent low back pain and neck pain among workers

Authors: Maurice T Driessen, Karin I Proper, Johannes R Anema, Paulien M Bongers, Allard J van der Beek

Published in: Implementation Science | Issue 1/2010

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Both low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP) are major occupational health problems. In the workplace, participatory ergonomics (PE) is frequently used on musculoskeletal disorders. However, evidence on the effectiveness of PE to prevent LBP and NP obtained from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is scarce. This study evaluates the process of the Stay@Work participatory ergonomics programme, including the perceived implementation of the prioritised ergonomic measures.

Methods

This cluster-RCT was conducted at the departments of four Dutch companies (a railway transportation company, an airline company, a steel company, and a university including its university medical hospital). Directly after the randomisation outcome, intervention departments formed a working group that followed the steps of PE during a six-hour working group meeting. Guided by an ergonomist, working groups identified and prioritised risk factors for LBP and NP, and composed and prioritised ergonomic measures. Within three months after the meeting, working groups had to implement the prioritised ergonomic measures at their department. Data on various process components (recruitment, reach, fidelity, satisfaction, and implementation components, i.e., dose delivered and dose received) were collected and analysed on two levels: department (i.e., working group members from intervention departments) and participant (i.e., workers from intervention departments).

Results

A total of 19 intervention departments (n = 10 with mental workloads, n = 1 with a light physical workload, n = 4 departments with physical and mental workloads, and n = 4 with heavy physical workloads) were recruited for participation, and the reach among working group members who participated was high (87%). Fidelity and satisfaction towards the PE programme rated by the working group members was good (7.3 or higher). The same was found for the Stay@Work ergocoach training (7.5 or higher). In total, 66 ergonomic measures were prioritised by the working groups. Altogether, 34% of all prioritised ergonomic measures were perceived as implemented (dose delivered), while the workers at the intervention departments perceived 26% as implemented (dose received).

Conclusions

PE can be a successful method to develop and to prioritise ergonomic measures to prevent LBP and NP. Despite the positive rating of the PE programme the implementation of the prioritised ergonomic measures was lower than expected.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN27472278
Literature
1.
Andersson GB: Epidemiological features of chronic low-back pain. Lancet. 1999, 354: 581-585. 10.1016/S0140-6736(99)01312-4.CrossRefPubMed
2.
Côté P, van der Velde G, Cassidy JD, Carroll LJ, Hogg-Johnson S, Holm LW, Carragee EJ, Haldeman S, Nordin M, Hurwitz EL, Guzman J, Peloso PM: The burden and determinants of neck pain in workers: results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008, 33: S60-S74.CrossRef
3.
Westgaard RH, Winkel J: Ergonomic intervention research for improved musculoskeletal health: A critical review. Int J Ind Ergon. 1997, 20: 463-500. 10.1016/S0169-8141(96)00076-5.CrossRef
4.
Boocock MG, McNair PJ, Larmer PJ, Armstrong B, Collier J, Simmonds M, Garrett N: Interventions for the prevention and management of neck/upper extremity musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review. Occup Environ Med. 2007, 64: 291-303. 10.1136/oem.2005.025593.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Brewer S, Van Eerd D, Amick BC, Irvin E, Daum KM, Gerr F, Moore JS, Cullen K, Rempel D: Workplace interventions to prevent musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and disorders among computer users: a systematic review. J Occup Rehabil. 2006, 16: 325-358. 10.1007/s10926-006-9031-6.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Burton AK, Balague F, Cardon G, Eriksen HR, Henrotin Y, Lahad A, Leclerc A, Müller , van der Beek AJ: Chapter 2. European guidelines for prevention in low back pain: November 2004. Eur Spine J. 2006, 15 (Suppl 2): S136-S168. 10.1007/s00586-006-1070-3.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
7.
Roquelaure Y: Workplace intervention and musculoskeletal disorders: the need to develop research on implementation strategy. Occup Environ Med. 2008, 65: 4-5. 10.1136/oem.2007.034900.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Haines H, Wilson JR, Vink P, Koningsveld E: Validating a framework for participatory ergonomics (the PEF). Ergonomics. 2002, 45: 309-327. 10.1080/00140130210123516.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Jensen LK, Friche C: Effects of training to implement new working methods to reduce knee strain in floor layers. A two-year follow-up. Occup Environ Med. 2008, 65: 20-27. 10.1136/oem.2006.028803.CrossRefPubMed
10.
van der Molen HF, Sluiter JK, Hulshof CT, Vink P, van Duivenbooden C, Holman R, Frings-Dresen MHW: Implementation of participatory ergonomics intervention in construction companies. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2005, 31: 191-204.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Vink P, Koningsveld EA, Molenbroek JF: Positive outcomes of participatory ergonomics in terms of greater comfort and higher productivity. Appl Ergon. 2006, 37: 537-546. 10.1016/j.apergo.2006.04.012.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Vink P, Imada AS, Zink KJ: Defining stakeholder involvement in participatory design processes. Appl Ergon. 2008, 39: 519-526. 10.1016/j.apergo.2008.02.009.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Bero LA, Grilli R, Grimshaw JM, Harvey E, Oxman AD, Thomson MA: Closing the gap between research and practice: an overview of systematic reviews of interventions to promote the implementation of research findings. The Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care Review Group. BMJ. 1998, 317: 465-468.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
14.
Grol R, Wensing M: What drives change? Barriers to and incentives for achieving evidence-based practice. Med J Aust. 2004, 180: S57-S60.PubMed
15.
Bohr PC, Evanoff BA, Wolf LD: Implementing participatory ergonomics teams among health care workers. Am J Ind Med. 1997, 32: 190-196. 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199709)32:3<190::AID-AJIM2>3.0.CO;2-1.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Carrivick PJ, Lee AH, Yau KK, Stevenson MR: Evaluating the effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics approach in reducing the risk and severity of injuries from manual handling. Ergonomics. 2005, 48: 907-914. 10.1080/0014013042000327698.CrossRefPubMed
17.
de Jong AM, Vink P: Participatory ergonomics applied in installation work. Appl Ergon. 2002, 33: 439-448. 10.1016/S0003-6870(02)00033-9.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Evanoff BA, Bohr PC, Wolf LD: Effects of a participatory ergonomics team among hospital orderlies. Am J Ind Med. 1999, 35: 358-365. 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199904)35:4<358::AID-AJIM6>3.0.CO;2-R.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Rosecrance JC, Cook TM: The use of participatory action research and ergonomics in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the newspaper industry. Appl Occup Environ Hyg. 2000, 15: 255-262. 10.1080/104732200301575.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Laing AC, Frazer MB, Cole DC, Kerr MS, Wells RP, Norman RW: Study of the effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics intervention in reducing worker pain severity through physical exposure pathways. Ergonomics. 2005, 48: 150-170. 10.1080/00140130512331325727.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Rivilis I, Cole DC, Frazer MB, Kerr MS, Wells RP, Ibrahim S: Evaluation of a participatory ergonomic intervention aimed at improving musculoskeletal health. Am J Ind Med. 2006, 49: 801-810. 10.1002/ajim.20382.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Haukka E, Leino-Arjas P, Viikari-Juntura E, Takala EP, Malmivaara A, Hopsu L, Mutanen P, Ketola R, Virtanen T, Pehkonen I, Holtari-Leino M, Nykänen J, Stenholm S, Nykyri E, Riihimäki H: A randomised controlled trial on whether a participatory ergonomic intervention could prevent muskuloskeletal disorders. Occup Environ Med. 2008, 65: 849-956. 10.1136/oem.2007.034579.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Driessen MT, Anema JR, Proper KI, Bongers PM, van der Beek AJ: Stay@Work: Participatory Ergonomics to prevent low back and neck pain among workers: design of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2008, 9: 145-10.1186/1471-2474-9-145.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
24.
Nielsen K, Fredslund H, Christensen K, Albertsen K: Succes or failure? Interpreting and understanding the impact of interventions in four similar worksites. Work & Stress. 2006, 20: 272-287.CrossRef
25.
Hawe P, Shiell A, Riley T: Complex interventions: how 'out of control' can a randomised controlled trial be?. BMJ. 2004, 328: 1561-1563. 10.1136/bmj.328.7455.1561.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
26.
Hulscher MEJL, Laurant MGH, Grol RPTM: Process evaluation on quality improvement interventions. Qual Saf Health Care. 2003, 12: 40-46. 10.1136/qhc.12.1.40.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
27.
Oakley A, Strange V, Bonell C, Allen E, Stephenson J: Process evaluation in randomised controlled trials of complex interventions. BMJ. 2006, 332: 413-416. 10.1136/bmj.332.7538.413.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
28.
Waters E, Doyle J: Evidence-based public health practice: improving the quality and quantity of the evidence. J Public Health Med. 2002, 24: 227-229. 10.1093/pubmed/24.3.227.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Grol R, Baker R, Moss F: Quality improvement research: understanding the science of change in health care. Qual Saf Health Care. 2002, 11: 110-111. 10.1136/qhc.11.2.110.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
30.
Grol R, Grimshaw J: From best evidence to best practice: effective implementation of change in patients' care. Lancet. 2003, 362: 1225-1230. 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14546-1.CrossRefPubMed
31.
de Zwart BC, Broersen JP, van der Beek AJ, Frings-Dresen MH, van Dijk FJ: Occupational classification according to work demands: an evaluation study. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 1997, 10: 283-295.PubMed
32.
Weinstein MG, Hecker SF, Hess JA, Kincl L: A roadmap to Diffuse Ergonomic Innovations in the Construction Industry: There Is Nothing So Practical as a Good Theory. Int J Occup Environ Health. 2007, 13: 46-55.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Farmer AP, Légaré F, Turcot L, Grimshaw J, Harvey E, McGowan JL, Wolf F: Printed educational materials: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008, CD004398-
34.
Linnan L, Steckler A: Process evaluation for Public Health Interventions and Research; an overview. Process Evaluation for Public Health Interventions and Research. 2002, Jossey-Bass Incorporated, Publishers, 1-23.
35.
Murta SG, Sanderson K, Oldenburg B: Process evaluation in occupational stress management programs: a systematic review. Am J Health Promot. 2007, 21: 248-254.CrossRefPubMed
36.
van Dieën JH, vander Beek AJ: Work-Related Low-Back Pain: Biomechanical Factors and Primary Prevention. Ergonomics for Rehabilitation Professionals. Edited by: Kumar S. 2009, FL: Boca Raton, 359-395.
37.
Pransky G, Robertson MM, Moon SD: Stress and work-related upper extremity disorders: implications for prevention and management. Am J Ind Med. 2002, 41: 443-455. 10.1002/ajim.10040.CrossRefPubMed
38.
van der Molen HF, Sluiter JK, Hulshof CT, Vink P, Frings-Dresen MH: Effectiveness of measures and implementation strategies in reducing physical work demands due to manual handling at work. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2005, 31 (Suppl 2): 75-87.PubMed
39.
Straker L, Burgess-Limerick R, Pollock C, Egeskov R: A randomized and controlled trial of a participative ergonomics intervention to reduce injuries associated with manual tasks: physical risk and legislative compliance. Ergonomics. 2004, 47: 166-188. 10.1080/00140130310001617949.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Pehkonen I, Takala EP, Ketola R, Viikari-Juntura E, Leino-Arjas P, Hopsu L, Virtanen T, Haukka E, Holtari-Leino M, Nykyri E, Riihimäki H: Evaluation of a participatory ergonomic intervention process in kitchen work. Appl Ergon. 2009, 40: 115-123. 10.1016/j.apergo.2008.01.006.CrossRefPubMed
41.
Koppelaar E, Knibbe JJ, Miedema HS, Burdorf A: Determinants of implementation of primary preventive interventions on patient handling in healthcare: a systematic review. Occup Environ Med. 2009, 66: 353-360. 10.1136/oem.2008.042481.CrossRefPubMed
42.
St Vincent M, Bellemare M, Toulouse G, Tellier C: Participatory ergonomic processes to reduce musculoskeletal disorders: summary of a Quebec experience. Work. 2006, 27: 123-135.PubMed
43.
Haims MC, Carayon P: Theory and practice for the implementation of 'in-house', continuous improvement participatory ergonomic programs. Appl Ergon. 1998, 29: 461-472. 10.1016/S0003-6870(98)00012-X.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Process evaluation of a participatory ergonomics programme to prevent low back pain and neck pain among workers
Authors
Maurice T Driessen
Karin I Proper
Johannes R Anema
Paulien M Bongers
Allard J van der Beek
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Implementation Science / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1748-5908
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-5-65

Other articles of this Issue 1/2010

Implementation Science 1/2010 Go to the issue

Research article

A systematic review of the use of theory in the design of guideline dissemination and implementation strategies and interpretation of the results of rigorous evaluations

Research article

The impact of provider-initiated (opt-out) HIV testing and counseling of patients with sexually transmitted infection in Cape Town, South Africa: a controlled trial

Methodology

Factors influencing success in quality-improvement collaboratives: development and psychometric testing of an instrument

Research article

Process evaluation of appreciative inquiry to translate pain management evidence into pediatric nursing practice

Research article

Employing external facilitation to implement cognitive behavioral therapy in VA clinics: a pilot study

Research article

Collaborative research between clinicians and researchers: a multiple case study of implementation