Effect of a Workplace-Based Work-Conditioning Program on Management of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a workplace-based work-conditioning program (WCP) on the management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in an automobile-parts manufacturing company. In total, 1,110 subjects with WRMDs participated in workplace-based WCP emphasizing function-centered management and ergonomics. We investigated the incidence of WRMDs variables (number of persons diagnosed with industrial accident-related WRMDs, number of cases of WRMD) and financial benefits (cost of workers’ compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs) per year before and after WCP. Additionally, we compared self-reported pain intensity and functional disability in subjects with musculoskeletal pain before and after the WCP. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), and functional disability was measured by the neck disability index (NDI) and the Oswestry disability Index (ODI). The number of person diagnosed with industrial accident-related WRMDs, the number of cases of WRMD, the cost of workers’ compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs per year decreased by 51%, 37%, 34%, and 47%, respectively, and VAS, NDI, and ODI scores decreased significantly after implementation of WCP (p<.05). Thus, the results of the present study suggest that function-centered, workplace-based WCP was effective in managing WRMDs at an automobile-parts manufacturing company.