title: Ergonomic intervention, workplace exercises and musculoskeletal complaints: a comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most prevalent occupational disorders in different jobs such as office work. Some interventions such as ergonomic modifications and workplace exercises are introduced as the methods for alleviating these disorders. In this study we compared the effect of ergonomic modifications and workplace exercises on musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in a group of office workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an interventional study on office workers, the effect of two interventions was compared. Ergonomic modification consisted of correcting the arrangement of workstation and changing some equipment; workplace exercises included stretching exercises focusing on neck, shoulders, low back, and hand and wrist. Musculoskeletal complaints were assessed and compared before and after 1 month interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of musculoskeletal complaints was high before the study. Both interventions significantly reduced complaints in a similar manner except for low back pain which was reduced in exercise group more than the other group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study we found a beneficial short-term effect for both ergonomic modifications and stretching work-place exercises on reducing musculoskeletal pain in office workers.
authors.affiliation: 1. Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. ahmehrparvar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amir Houshang
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mehrparvar
authors.affiliation: 2. Occupational Medicine Specialist, Department of Occupational Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heydari
authors.affiliation: 3. Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Medicine And Industrial Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. jalilmirmohamadi2@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Seyyed Jalil
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mirmohammadi
authors.affiliation: 4. Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. mehrdadmostaghaci@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehrdad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mostaghaci
authors.affiliation: 5. Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. drmhdavari@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Davari
authors.affiliation: 6. Occupational Medicine Specialist, Department of Occupational Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taheri
keywords: Ergonomic modification; Musculoskeletal diseases; Office worker; Stretching exercises