The Effects of a Participatory Ergonomics Program on Musculoskeletal Disorders and General Health of Surgical Technologists: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Mahshid  Ahmadi; Mohammad Sadegh  Sohrab; Mohammad Javad  Tarrahi; Soheila  Bakhtiari

doi:10.18502/jhsw.v15i4.21454

Mahshid Ahmadi Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Mohammad Sadegh Sohrab School of Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Mohammad Javad Tarrahi School of Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Soheila Bakhtiari School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jhsw.v15i4.21454

Keywords: Ergonomics, Musculoskeletal disorders, General health, Randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical technologists encounter a challenging work environment, and therefore, theyrequire well-organized workplaces and appropriate health-related training. This study aimed to determinethe effect of a participatory ergonomics program on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and general healthamong surgical technologists

Material and Methods: This single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2023-2024in operating rooms of teaching hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. The study population comprised 88 surgicaltechnologists meeting the inclusion criteria. One hospital was randomly selected as the interventionsite, while the remaining hospitals served as the control group. Data were collected using a demographicquestionnaire, the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), and the 28-item GeneralHealth Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Initially, all participants in both groups completed baseline assessments.The intervention group received a participatory ergonomics program. Follow-up assessments wereconducted at 3 and 6 months post-intervention in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods, with a significance level set at 0.05.

Results: Before the intervention, no significant differences were observed between the interventionand control groups in terms of mean scores for general health and MSDs (p=0.55). Three months post-intervention, a significant difference was found in the mean score of lower extremity MSDs between thegroups (p=0.033). Six months post-intervention, a significant difference was observed in the mean scoreof Trunk region MSDs between the groups (p=0.038). Significant differences in mean general health scoreswere observed between the groups at 3 months (p=0.001) and 6 months (p=0.001) post-intervention,with the intervention group reporting better general health compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The implementation of a participatory ergonomics program can improve general health andreduce MSDs among surgical technologists