Effects of occupationally-oriented rehabilitation on farmers' work techniques, musculoskeletal symptoms, and work ability

Abstract

Changes in work techniques, musculoskeletal symptoms and work ability were studied after occupationally-oriented rehabilitation courses for farmers experiencing low back or shoulder pain. Fifty-two women and 43 men participated. The OWAS analysis of work postures, biomechanical modeling of lifting techniques, and a questionnaire were used before and after the courses and after 1 year of follow-up. Bent and twisted postures or postures with the arms over the shoulders occurred more seldom after the courses and the follow-up. Changes in lifting techniques were minor. The musculoskeletal pain index decreased by 12 and 3 points for the women and men, respectively. The mean work ability index increased from 33.5 (men and women) to 36.5 (women) and 35.1 (men). This study showed that rehabilitation can produce significant, long-lasting effects on rehabilitees' work techniques, work ability, and subjective well-being.

Effectiveness of multidisciplinary primary prevention in decreasing the risk of work disability in a low-risk population

“…These studies were mostly uncontrolled, had small study populations, and focused on secondary non-vocational outcomes of VOMR. They reported inconsistent evidence of the effects of VOMR on subjective physical and mental strain at work, severity of neck-shoulder and low-back pain, physical performance, subjective work ability, improvement in ergonomics, and the use of healthcare services (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). Although VOMR has been widely used since the early 1980s, we could not find any studies that primarily focused on evaluating the effectiveness of VOMR on attaining its main goal -decreasing the risk of long-term work disability -except for a recently published investigation by our study group (29).…”

“…Despite the fact that VOMR is the commonest type of rehabilitation targeting the Finnish working population, few studies on its effectiveness have been conducted thus far (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). Most of these studies did not have a natural control group, were conducted on a small number of participants, or were focused on secondary outcomes of VOMR (22-25, 27, 28).…”

“…Some studies of VOMR have reported positive effects on subjective physical and mental strain at work (22), the severity of neck-shoulder and low-back pain (22,23), and physical performance (22,26,27), as well as improved ergonomics (23)(24)(25)28), while others found no effects on these outcomes (23,27). The effects of VOMR on the use of healthcare, subjective work ability, and the duration of sick leaves related to back pain have been found to be minor or insignificant (22,23,(26)(27)(28).…”

“…The effects of VOMR on the use of healthcare, subjective work ability, and the duration of sick leaves related to back pain have been found to be minor or insignificant (22,23,(26)(27)(28). In a recent study conducted by our research group, VOMR seemed to be effective in reducing the incidence of sickness absence and early retirement on health grounds for three subsequent years, but no longer than that, and the economic benefit was considered to be small when compared with the cost of the intervention (29).…”

Does perceived work ability improve after a multidisciplinary preventive program in a population with no severe medical problems – the Finnish Public Sector Study

“…In addition, two previous studies on the effectiveness of VOMR have reported a positive effect on PWA (28,29). However, these studies were limited to short periods of follow-up (up to 1 year) and small study samples (87 -122 participants).…”