Effect of a work-based physiotherapy and ergonomics programme on work-related upper-extremity musculo skeletal disorders in car-seat seamstresses

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Although evidence for the effectiveness of single physiotherapy modalities in treating work-related upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders (WRUEMDs) exists, only limited effectiveness has been shown for integrated physiotherapy intervention programmes. MOTHODS: A retrospective study to describe the effect of a work-based physiotherapy and ergonomics programme on WRUEMDs in seamstresses in a car-seat manufacturing plant in South Africa over a three-year period was conducted (N = 43). The intervention comprised ergonomic adaptations, health education and conventional physiotherapy. RESULTS: The incidence of WRUEMDs decreased signifi cantly over the study duration as did the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel syndrome group was older than the other group. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The findings provided weak evidence that this integrated programme was effective but further research with larger samples is recommended.