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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Musculoskeletal Pain | Research article

The relationship between readiness to change pain-related exercise participation and perceived work ability: a cross-sectional study of factory workers

Authors: Paul Shawcross, Melinda Lyons, Victoria Filingeri

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Healthy lifestyle behaviours are associated with protection against health disorders and pain. Exercise participation is one such behaviour, associated with improved outcomes in those experiencing pain. Musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent in the workplace, particularly in factory workers and associated loss of work function is recognised as having a great impact on individuals, society and the economy. A worker’s ‘readiness to change pain behaviour’ is an important factor to consider in achieving a healthy lifestyle behaviour and potentially improved function. This study aimed to examine the relationship between a cohort of factory workers ‘readiness to change pain behaviour’ such as exercise and their ‘perceived work ability’.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was used to establish the relationship between ‘readiness to change pain behaviours’ and ‘perceived work ability’. The Multidimensional Pain Related Change Questionnaire 2 (MPRCQ2) was used to measure readiness to change various pain behaviours including exercise. The Work Ability Index (WAI) was used to assess ‘perceived work ability’. Seventy-five factory workers, aged over 18 (66 male, 9 female) were recruited using convenience sampling between September–November 2019. Correlation and multiple regression were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Mean WAI, MPRCQ2 and MPRCQ2 exercise component were 41.89 (SD 5.28), 4.26 (SD 1.01) and 4.40 (SD 1.69). MPRCQ2 and MPRCQ2 exercise component were not significant predictors of WAI in factory workers (F (2, 72) = 2.17, p > 0.001). There was no significant relationship between MPRCQ2 and WAI (rs = .09, p > .05). However, there was a significant positive relationship between MPRCQ2 exercise component and WAI (rs = .23, p < .05).

Conclusions

This study suggests that readiness to change pain-related exercise participation has a positive association with ‘perceived work ability’. Further research should explore the causal relationship and consider strength training as a specific type of exercise.

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Title: The relationship between readiness to change pain-related exercise participation and perceived work ability: a cross-sectional study of factory workers
Authors: Paul Shawcross
Melinda Lyons
Victoria Filingeri
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Musculoskeletal Pain
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04642-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The relationship between readiness to change pain-related exercise participation and perceived work ability: a cross-sectional study of factory workers

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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