title: A randomised controlled trial on whether a participatory ergonomics intervention could prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the efficacy of a participatory ergonomics intervention in preventing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers. Participatory ergonomics is commonly recommended to reduce musculoskeletal disorders, but evidence for its effectiveness is sparse.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cluster randomised controlled trial among the 504 workers of 119 kitchens in Finland was conducted during 2002-2005. Kitchens were randomised to an intervention (n = 59) and control (n = 60) group. The duration of the intervention that guided the workers to identify strenuous work tasks and to seek solutions for decreasing physical and mental workload, was 11 to 14 months. In total, 402 ergonomic changes were implemented. The main outcome measures were the occurrence of and trouble caused by musculoskeletal pain in seven anatomical sites, local fatigue after work, and sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders. Individual level data were collected by a questionnaire at baseline and every 3 months during the intervention and 1-year follow-up period. All response rates exceeded 92%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No systematic differences in any outcome variable were found between the intervention and control groups during the intervention or during the 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention did not reduce perceived physical work load and no evidence was found for the efficacy of the intervention in preventing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers. It may be that a more comprehensive redesign of work organisation and processes is needed, taking more account of workers' physical and mental resources.
authors.affiliation: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FI-00250, Helsinki, Finland. Eija.Haukka@ttl.fi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haukka
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leino-Arjas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Viikari-Juntura
authors.forename: E-P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Takala
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malmivaara
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hopsu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mutanen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ketola
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Virtanen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pehkonen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holtari-Leino
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nykänen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stenholm
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nykyri
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riihimäki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003296:Cooking; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016526:Workload; D055815:Young Adult