title: Relative benefit of a stage of change approach for the prevention of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort: a cluster randomised trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the benefit of a psychological Stage of Change (SOC) approach, relative to standard ergonomics advice, for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal pain and discomfort (MSPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cluster randomised trial was conducted in South Australia across a broad range of workplaces. Repeated face-to-face interviews were conducted onsite to assess MSPD, safety climate, job satisfaction and other factors. Changes in MSPD across intervention groups and time were investigated using Generalised Estimating Equation (GEE) methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  25 workgroups (involving 242 workers) were randomly allocated to either a standard intervention or an intervention tailored according to SOC. The prevalence of MSPD increased for both groups, but was only significant for the standard group, in respect of lower back MSPD. Workers receiving tailored interventions were 60% less likely to experience lower back MSPD. After adjusting for age, gender and job satisfaction, it was found that company safety climate and length of employment were significantly correlated to the time-intervention effect. There was no correlation with workload.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with standard ergonomics advice to management, there was evidence of a benefit of stage-matched intervention for MSPD prevention, particularly for low back pain. Organisational safety climate should be taken into account when planning prevention programmes.
authors: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Faculty of Medicine, University of Sam Ratulangi, Manado, Indonesia.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Doda
authors: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Rothmore
authors: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Dino
authors: D
authors: Pisaniello
authors: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Briggs
authors: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Sasha
authors: S
authors: Stewart
authors: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Mohammed
authors: M
authors: Mahmood
authors: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Janet E
authors: JE
authors: Hiller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D004651:Employment; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011590:Psychology, Industrial; D012449:Safety; D016526:Workload; D017132:Workplace