title: The Healthy LifeWorks project: The effect of a comprehensive workplace wellness program on the prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal disorders in a Canadian government department.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a comprehensive workplace wellness program on the prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal disorders in a Canadian government department.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Healthy LifeWorks program was developed, implemented, and evaluated over a 4-year period. A total of 233 employees completed the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire before and after the program to determine the prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an approximately 10% decrease in the 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, ranging from 4% for hip/thigh problems to 12% for lower and upper back problems. The proportion of people reporting that a musculoskeletal disorder interfered with their normal work during the past 12 months decreased from 83% to 46%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comprehensive wellness, including educational sessions on posture, ergonomics, and joint health, results in improved musculoskeletal health.
authors.affiliation: Creative Wellness Solutions Inc and School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Curwin
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Allt
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Szpilfogel
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Makrides
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm; D006804:Ergonomics; D006077:Government Agencies; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006615:Hip; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009674:Nova Scotia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016272:Occupational Health; D011187:Posture; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013848:Thigh