title: Participatory ergonomics as a return-to-work intervention: a future challenge?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Participatory ergonomics (PE) are often applied for prevention of low back pain (LBP). In this pilot-study, a PE-program is applied to the disability management of workers sick listed due to LBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  The process, implementation, satisfaction, and barriers for implementation concerning the PE-program were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively for 35 workers sick listed 2-6 weeks due to LBP and their ergonomists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two-hundred-and-seventy ergonomic solutions were proposed to the employer. They were targeted more at work design and organization of work (58.9%) than at workplace and equipment design (38.9%). They were planned mostly on a short-term basis (74.8%). Almost half (48.9%) of the solutions for work adjustment were completely or partially implemented within 3 months after the first day of absenteeism. Most workers were satisfied about the PE-program (median score 7.8 on a 10-point scale) and reported a stimulating effect on return-to-work (66.7%). Main obstacles to implementation were technical or organizational difficulties (50.0%) and physical disabilities of the worker (44.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that compliance, acceptance, and satisfaction related to the PE-program were good for all participants. Almost half of the proposed solutions were implemented.
authors.affiliation: TNO Work and Employment, PO Box 718, 2130 AS Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. h.anema@arbeid.tno.nl
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Anema
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Steenstra
authors.forename: I J M
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Urlings
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bongers
authors.forename: E M M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: de Vroome
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Mechelen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003187:Compliance; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires