title: Evaluation of a participatory ergonomic intervention aimed at improving musculoskeletal health.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Participatory ergonomic (PE) interventions have been increasingly utilized to deal with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a longitudinal quasi-experimental design, a PE process was launched at one depot of a large courier company, with a nearby depot serving as a control. Evaluations focused on 122 employees across the two depots who participated in both pre- and post-questionnaires. An evaluation framework assessed the process of implementation, changes in risk factors, and changes in musculoskeletal health outcomes. Partial and multiple regressions explored the relationships in the evaluation framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Changes in work organizational factors had a consistent impact upon changes in health outcomes. Greater participation in the process was associated with increased levels of job influence and communication (P = 0.0059 and P = 0.0940 respectively). Improvements in communication levels were associated with reduced pain intensity and improved work role function (WRF) (P = 0.0077 and P = 0.0248 respectively). Lower levels of pain post-intervention were related to greater WRF (P = 0.0493).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A PE approach can improve risk factors related to WMSD, and meaningful worker participation in the process is an important aspect for the success of such interventions.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. irivilis@iwh.on.ca
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rivilis
authors.forename: Donald C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Mardon B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Frazer
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Selahadin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003142:Communication; D003256:Community Participation; D004526:Efficiency; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D014186:Transportation; D014937:Work