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 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology
Published in: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Methodology

The office work and stretch training (OST) study: an individualized and standardized approach for reducing musculoskeletal disorders in office workers

Authors: Fabian Holzgreve, Laura Maltry, Jasmin Lampe, Helmut Schmidt, Andreas Bader, Julia Rey, David A. Groneberg, Anke van Mark, Daniela Ohlendorf

Published in: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology | Issue 1/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a common health problem in office workers. In Germany, MSD (mainly back pain related) are the main cause of workdays lost to incapacity. This is not only bothersome for the employees, but also causes higher costs for the health system and employers. Workplace health promotion programmes (WHPP) can help to reduce this as they reach large target groups and are easily accessible. In this context, stretch training exercises have already proven to be effective. In the present study, a new approach focusing on trunk extension is to be investigated.

Methods

To evaluate the training device “five-Business”, 250 office workers will train two times a week for 3 months. The control group will consist of 100 office employees. The device “five-Business” enables five different full body exercises. The intervention will be evaluated before week one and after week twelve via three assessments: a) the Short Form-36 (SF-36) to record the general health status and health-related quality of life, taking into account physical, psychological and social factors, b) the Nordic Questionnaire to evaluate complaints of the musculoskeletal system, c) Range of Motion (ROM) measurements using a digital inclinometer and a measuring tape respectively.

Conclusion

The “five-Business” combines elements of yoga and the McKenzie fundamentals, taking into account the Myers myofascial pathways in a highly torso-oriented, standardized stretching program. Due to the given exercise execution on the device and the individual adjustment possibilities of the stretching position (body size and range of motion) by the abutment, all exercises are individualized and standardized at the same time. In comparison to existing stretching interventions, this is a new approach in the framework of reducing musculoskeletal disorders and improving the quality of life in workplace health promotion.
Literature
1.
2.
Abraham C, Graham-Rowe E. Are worksite interventions effective in increasing physical activity? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychol Rev. 2009;3(1):108–44.CrossRef
3.
Ellegast RP, Kraft K, Groenesteijn L, Krause F, Berger H, Vink P. Comparison of four specific dynamic office chairs with a conventional office chair: impact upon muscle activation, physical activity and posture. Appl Ergon. 2012;43(2):296–307.PubMedCrossRef
4.
Shariat ATB, Arumugam M, Ramasamy R, Danaee M. Prevalence rate of musculoskeletal discomforts based on severity level among office workers. Acta Medica Bulgarica. 2016;43(1):54–63.CrossRef
5.
Janwantanakul P, Pensri P, Jiamjarasrangsri V, Sinsongsook T. Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers. Occup Med (Lond). 2008;58(6):436–8.CrossRef
6.
Ye S, Jing Q, Wei C, Lu J. Risk factors of non-specific neck pain and low back pain in computer-using office workers in China: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2017;7(4):e014914.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
7.
Shariat A, Cardoso JR, Cleland JA, Danaee M, Ansari NN, Kargarfard M, et al. Prevalence rate of neck, shoulder and lower back pain in association with age, body mass index and gender among Malaysian office workers. Work (Reading, Mass). 2018;60(2):191–9.
8.
Rongen A, Robroek SJ, van Lenthe FJ, Burdorf A. Workplace health promotion: a meta-analysis of effectiveness. Am J Prev Med. 2013;44(4):406–15.PubMedCrossRef
9.
Maakip I, Keegel T, Oakman J. Predictors of musculoskeletal discomfort: a cross-cultural comparison between Malaysian and Australian office workers. Appl Ergon. 2017;60:52–7.PubMedCrossRef
10.
Celik S, Celik K, Dirimese E, Tasdemir N, Arik T, Buyukkara I. Determination of pain in musculoskeletal system reported by office workers and the pain risk factors. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2018;31(1):91–111.PubMed
11.
Jun D, Zoe M, Johnston V, O'Leary S. Physical risk factors for developing non-specific neck pain in office workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2017;90(5):373–410.PubMedCrossRef
12.
Shariat A, Mohd Tamrin SB, Arumugam M, Danaee M, Ramasamy R. Office exercise training to reduce and prevent the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders among office workers: a hypothesis. Malays J Med Sci. 2016;23(4):54–8.PubMedPubMedCentral
13.
Oswald W, Hutting N, Engels JA, Bart Staal J, der Sanden MWG N-v, Heerkens YF. Work participation of patients with musculoskeletal disorders: is this addressed in physical therapy practice? J Occup Med Toxicol. 2017;12(1):27.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
14.
15.
Marschall Jörg HS, Hanna S, Hans-Dieter N. Gesundheitsreport 2017. Analyse der Arbeitsunfähigkeitsdaten. Hamburg: DAK. p. 2017.
16.
(BAuA) BfAuA. Volkswirtschaftliche Kosten durch Arbeitsunfähigkeit 2016. 2018.
17.
Shrestha N, Kukkonen-Harjula KT, Verbeek JH, Ijaz S, Hermans V, Pedisic Z. Workplace interventions for reducing sitting at work. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;6:CD010912.PubMed
18.
Mehmood A, Maung Z, Consunji RJ, El-Menyar A, Peralta R, Al-Thani H, et al. Work related injuries in Qatar: a framework for prevention and control. J Occup Med Toxicol. 2018;13:29.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
19.
Mette J, Velasco Garrido M, Harth V, Preisser AM, Mache S. “It’s still a great adventure” - exploring offshore employees’ working conditions in a qualitative study. J Occup Med Toxicol. 2017;12:35.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
20.
Backé E-M, Kreis L, Latza U. Interventionen am Arbeitsplatz, die zur Veränderung des Sitzverhaltens anregen. Arbeitsschutz und Ergonomie: Zentralblatt für Arbeitsmedizin; 2018.CrossRef
21.
Tunwattanapong P, Kongkasuwan R, Kuptniratsaikul V. The effectiveness of a neck and shoulder stretching exercise program among office workers with neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2016;30(1):64–72.PubMedCrossRef
22.
Mothna MF, Naji L. Benefits of exercise training for computer-based staff: a Meta analyses. Int J Kinesiology Sports Sci. 2017;5(2):16–23.CrossRef
23.
Shariat A, Lam ET, Kargarfard M, Tamrin SB, Danaee M. The application of a feasible exercise training program in the office setting. Work (Reading, Mass). 2017;56(3):421–8.
24.
Caputo GM, Di Bari M, Naranjo OJ. Group-based exercise at workplace: short-term effects of neck and shoulder resistance training in video display unit workers with work-related chronic neck pain—a pilot randomized trial. Clin Rheumatol. 2017;36(10):2325–33.PubMedCrossRef
25.
Myers TW. Anatomy trains: myofascial meridians for manual and movement therapists: Elsevier; 2014.
26.
Urban JPG, Smith S, Fairbank JCT. Nutrition of the intervertebral disc. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2004;29(23):2700–9.CrossRef
27.
Hartfiel N, Burton C, Rycroft-Malone J, Clarke G, Havenhand J, Khalsa SB, et al. Yoga for reducing perceived stress and back pain at work. Occup Med (Lond). 2012;62(8):606–12.CrossRef
28.
Hartfiel N, Clarke G, Havenhand J, Phillips C, Edwards RT. Cost-effectiveness of yoga for managing musculoskeletal conditions in the workplace. Occup Med (Lond). 2017;67(9):687–95.CrossRef
29.
McKenzie R, May S. The Lumbar Spine Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy: Spinal Publications New Zealand; 2003.
30.
Saner-Bissig J. McKenzie - mechanische Diagnose und Therapie: 3 Tabellen: Thieme; 2007.
31.
Roux C, Guillemin F, Boini S, Longuetaud F, Arnault N, Hercberg S, et al. Impact of musculoskeletal disorders on quality of life: an inception cohort study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64(4):606–11.PubMedCrossRef
32.
Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sorensen F, Andersson G, et al. Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon. 1987;18(3):233–7.PubMedCrossRef
33.
Ayanniyi O, Ukpai BO, Adeniyi AF. Differences in prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among computer and non-computer users in a Nigerian population: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010;11:177.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
34.
Johansson JÅ. Work-related and non-work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon. 1994;25(4):248–51.PubMedCrossRef
35.
Malinska M, Bugajska J. The influence of occupational and non-occupational factors on the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in users of portable computers. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2010;16(3):337–43.PubMedCrossRef
36.
Piranveyseh P, Motamedzade M, Osatuke K, Mohammadfam I, Moghimbeigi A, Soltanzadeh A, et al. Association between psychosocial, organizational and personal factors and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2016;22(2):267–73.PubMedCrossRef
37.
Blåder S, Barck-Holst U, Danielsson S, Ferhm E, Kalpamaa M, Leijon M, et al. Neck and shoulder complaints among sewing-machine operators: a study concerning frequency, symptomatology and dysfunction. Appl Ergon. 1991;22(4):251–7.PubMedCrossRef
38.
Chakrabarty S, Sarkar K, Dev S, Das T, Mitra K, Sahu S, et al. Impact of rest breaks on musculoskeletal discomfort of Chikan embroiderers of West Bengal, India: a follow up field study. J Occup Health. 2016;58(4):365–72.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
39.
Nejad NH, Choobineh A, Rahimifard H, Haidari HR, Tabatabaei SH. Musculoskeletal risk assessment in small furniture manufacturing workshops. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2013;19(2):275–84.PubMedCrossRef
40.
Williams NR, Dickinson CE. Musculoskeletal complaints in lock assemblers, testers and inspectors. Occup Med. 1997;47(8):479–84.CrossRef
41.
Chanchai W, Songkham W, Ketsomporn P, Sappakitchanchai P, Siriwong W, Robson MG. The Impact of an Ergonomics Intervention on Psychosocial Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Thai Hospital Orderlies. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016;13:5.CrossRef
42.
Liss GM, Jesin E, Kusiak RA, White P. Musculoskeletal problems among Ontario dental hygienists. Am J Ind Med. 1995;28(4):521–40.PubMedCrossRef
43.
Ramadan PA, Ferreira M Jr. Risk factors associated with the reporting of musculoskeletal symptoms in workers at a laboratory of clinical pathology. Ann Occup Hyg. 2006;50(3):297–303.PubMed
44.
Shadmehr A, Haddad O, Azarnia S, Sanamlo Z. Disorders of the musculoskeletal system among Tehran, Iranian Dentists. J Musculoskelet Pain. 2014;22(3):256–9.CrossRef
45.
Ware JE Jr, Sherbourne CD. The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Med Care. 1992;30(6):473–83.CrossRef
46.
Arian M, Mirmohammadkhani M, Ghorbani R, Soleimani M. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM) patients assessed by 36-item short form health survey (SF-36): a meta-analysis. Qual Life Res. 2018.
47.
Gong QF, Tu L, Zhou L, Chen H. Associations between dietary factors and self-reported physical health in Chinese scientific workers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015;12(12):16060–9.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
48.
Graves JM, Fulton-Kehoe D, Jarvik JG, Franklin GM. Early imaging for acute low back pain: one-year health and disability outcomes among Washington state workers. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2012;37(18):1617–27.CrossRef
49.
Gross DP, Algarni FS, Niemelainen R. Reference values for the SF-36 in Canadian injured workers undergoing rehabilitation. J Occup Rehabil. 2015;25(1):116–26.PubMedCrossRef
50.
Lu CH, Wang PX, Lei YX, Luo ZC. Influence of health-related quality of life on health service utilization in Chinese rural-to-urban female migrant workers. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2014;12:121.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
51.
Morfeld M, Kirchberger I, Bullinger M. SF-36 Fragebogen zum Gesundheitszustand: Deutsche Version des Short Form-36 Health Survey; 2011.
52.
Cieza A, Ewert T, Ustun TB, Chatterji S, Kostanjsek N, Stucki G. Development of ICF Core Sets for patients with chronic conditions. J Rehabil Med. 2004(44 Suppl):9–11.
53.
Gauvin MG, Riddle DL, Rothstein JM. Reliability of clinical measurements of forward bending using the modified fingertip-to-floor method. Phys Ther. 1990;70(7):443–7.PubMedCrossRef
54.
Gill K, Krag MH, Johnson GB, Haugh LD, Pope MH. Repeatability of four clinical methods for assessment of lumbar spinal motion. Spine. 1988;13(1):50–3.PubMedCrossRef
55.
Heikkila S, Viitanen JV, Kautiainen H, Kauppi M. Sensitivity to change of mobility tests; effect of short term intensive physiotherapy and exercise on spinal, hip, and shoulder measurements in spondyloarthropathy. J Rheumatol. 2000;27(5):1251–6.PubMed
56.
57.
Merritt JL, McLean TJ, Erickson RP, Offord KP. Measurement of trunk flexibility in normal subjects: reproducibility of three clinical methods. Mayo Clin Proc. 1986;61(3):192–7.PubMedCrossRef
58.
Spallek M, Kuhn W. Funktionsorientierte körperliche Untersuchungssystematik: die fokus-Methode zur Beurteilung des Bewegungsapparates in der Arbeits- und Allgemeinmedizin: ecomed Medizin; 2009.
59.
Antonaci F, Ghirmai S, Bono G, Nappi G. Current methods for cervical spine movement evaluation: a review. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2000;18(2 Suppl 19):S45–52.PubMed
60.
Bierma-Zeinstra SM, Bohnen AM, Ramlal R, Ridderikhoff J, Verhaar JA, Prins A. Comparison between two devices for measuring hip joint motions. Clin Rehabil. 1998;12(6):497–505.PubMedCrossRef
61.
Clapis PA, Davis SM, Davis RO. Reliability of inclinometer and goniometric measurements of hip extension flexibility using the modified Thomas test. Physiother Theory Pract. 2008;24(2):135–41.PubMedCrossRef
62.
Green S, Buchbinder R, Forbes A, Bellamy N. A standardized protocol for measurement of range of movement of the shoulder using the Plurimeter-V inclinometer and assessment of its intrarater and interrater reliability. Arthritis Care Res. 1998;11(1):43–52.PubMedCrossRef
63.
Hole DE, Cook JM, Bolton JE. Reliability and concurrent validity of two instruments for measuring cervical range of motion: effects of age and gender. Man Ther. 1995;1(1):36–42.PubMedCrossRef
64.
Hoving J, Buchbinder R, Green S, Forbes A, Bellamy N, Brand C, et al. How reliably do rheumatologists measure shoulder movement? Ann Rheum Dis. 2002;61(7):612–6.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
65.
Kolber MJ, Saltzman SB, Beekhuizen KS, Cheng MS. Reliability and minimal detectable change of inclinometric shoulder mobility measurements. Physiother Theory Pract. 2009;25(8):572–81.PubMedCrossRef
66.
Petherick M, Rheault W, Kimble S, Lechner C, Senear V. Concurrent validity and intertester reliability of universal and fluid-based goniometers for active elbow range of motion. Phys Ther. 1988;68(6):966–9.PubMedCrossRef
67.
Rheault W, Miller M, Nothnagel P, Straessle J, Urban D. Intertester reliability and concurrent validity of fluid-based and universal goniometers for active knee flexion. Phys Ther. 1988;68(11):1676–8.PubMedCrossRef
68.
Valentine RE, Lewis JS. Intraobserver reliability of 4 physiologic movements of the shoulder in subjects with and without symptoms. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2006;87(9):1242–9.PubMedCrossRef
69.
Vigotsky AD, Lehman GJ, Beardsley C, Contreras B, Chung B, Feser EH. The modified Thomas test is not a valid measure of hip extension unless pelvic tilt is controlled. PeerJ. 2016;4:e2325.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
70.
Smolenski UC, Buchmann J, Beyer L, Harke G, Pahnke J, Seidel W. Janda Manuelle Muskelfunktionsdiagnostik: Theorie und Praxis - 5., komplett überarbeitete Auflage: Elsevier Health Sciences Germany; 2016.
71.
Smidt N, van der Windt DA, Assendelft WJ, Mourits AJ, Deville WL, de Winter AF, et al. Interobserver reproducibility of the assessment of severity of complaints, grip strength, and pressure pain threshold in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;83(8):1145–50.PubMedCrossRef
72.
Perret C, Poiraudeau S, Fermanian J, Colau MM, Benhamou MA, Revel M. Validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the fingertip-to-floor test. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001;82(11):1566–70.PubMedCrossRef
73.
Riddle DL, Rothstein JM, Lamb RL. Goniometric reliability in a clinical setting. Shoulder measurements. Phys Ther. 1987;67(5):668–73.PubMedCrossRef
74.
Low JL. The reliability of joint measurement. Physiotherapy. 1976;62(7):227–9.PubMed
75.
Hartvigsen J, Leboeuf-Yde C, Lings S, Corder EH. Is sitting-while-at-work associated with low back pain? A systematic, critical literature review. Scand J Public Health. 2000;28(3):230–9.PubMed
76.
Appel P, Schuler M, Vogel H, Oezelsel A, Faller H. Short questionnaire for workplace analysis (KFZA): factorial validation in physicians and nurses working in hospital settings. J Occup Med Toxicol. 2017;12(1):11.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
77.
Girbig M, Freiberg A, Deckert S, Druschke D, Kopkow C, Nienhaus A, et al. Work-related exposures and disorders among physical therapists: experiences and beliefs of professional representatives assessed using a qualitative approach. J Occup Med Toxicol. 2017;12:2.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
78.
Ohlendorf D, Wanke EM, Filmann N, Groneberg DA, Gerber A. Fit to play: posture and seating position analysis with professional musicians - a study protocol. J Occup Med Toxicol. 2017;12:5.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
79.
Wilke J, Krause F, Vogt L, Banzer W. What is evidence-based about myofascial chains: a systematic review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016;97(3):454–61.PubMedCrossRef
80.
Ensink FB, Saur PM, Frese K, Seeger D, Hildebrandt J. Lumbar range of motion: influence of time of day and individual factors on measurements. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996;21(11):1339–43.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
The office work and stretch training (OST) study: an individualized and standardized approach for reducing musculoskeletal disorders in office workers
Authors
Fabian Holzgreve
Laura Maltry
Jasmin Lampe
Helmut Schmidt
Andreas Bader
Julia Rey
David A. Groneberg
Anke van Mark
Daniela Ohlendorf
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6673
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-018-0220-y

Other articles of this Issue 1/2018

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 1/2018 Go to the issue

Research

Noise exposure and auditory thresholds of military musicians: a follow up study

Research

Evaluating a framework for tuberculosis screening among healthcare workers in clinical settings, Inner Mongolia, China

Short report

Disaster preparedness training for Latino migrant and seasonal farm workers in communities where they work

Short report

Acute diesel exhaust exposure and postural stability: a controlled crossover experiment

Research

Leadership position and physician visits – results of a nationally representative longitudinal study in Germany

Research

Impact of shift work on the diurnal cortisol rhythm: a one-year longitudinal study in junior physicians