Ergonomic interventions to improve musculoskeletal disorders among vehicle assembly workers: a one-year longitudinal study
Abstract Background Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) constitute a significant challenge in the realm of occupational health, especially in the manufacturing sector, necessitating the development of efficacious intervention strategies to enhance musculoskeletal health and reduce the incidence of MSDs...
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BMC
2025-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21798-1 |
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| author | Xu Jin Yidan Dong Longao Yang Wenchu Huang Lei Cao Zhongbin Zhang Lihua He |
| author_facet | Xu Jin Yidan Dong Longao Yang Wenchu Huang Lei Cao Zhongbin Zhang Lihua He |
| author_sort | Xu Jin |
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| description | Abstract Background Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) constitute a significant challenge in the realm of occupational health, especially in the manufacturing sector, necessitating the development of efficacious intervention strategies to enhance musculoskeletal health and reduce the incidence of MSDs. The present study is designed to assess the efficacy of a comprehensive ergonomic intervention, specifically tailored to diminish ergonomic risk factors and the prevalence of MSDs among workers engaged in vehicle assembly line operations. Method This interventional study, conducted over a one-year period, was implemented among assembly line workers within a rail bound vehicle manufacturing shop. The study engaged 181 participants who were subjected to a comprehensive ergonomic intervention plan. This intervention encompassed an ergonomic training program, enhancements in auxiliary tool, and the distribution of an ergonomic educational brochure. Workstation ergonomics, including postures and movements, vibrations, and work stress, were evaluated using the Quick Exposure Check (QEC). Participants scored their postural exposure and the intensity, duration, and frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms at nine anatomical sites in the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. All evaluations were conducted at baseline and after a one-year follow-up. Results After the one-year intervention, the QEC scores for the neck, back, shoulders/arms, and wrists/hands decreased significantly (p < 0.01). The self-rated exposure scores for 22 awkward postures and repetitive movements were much lower than at baseline (p < 0.05). Moreover, the self-reported intensity, duration, and frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms in nine body areas all decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusions The findings from this prospective study indicated enhancements in ergonomic conditions and a reduction in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among vehicle assembly workers following a comprehensive ergonomic intervention. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b64fb616b32845d493accf6ad6a930d8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-b64fb616b32845d493accf6ad6a930d82025-08-20T02:01:42ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-03-0125111210.1186/s12889-025-21798-1Ergonomic interventions to improve musculoskeletal disorders among vehicle assembly workers: a one-year longitudinal studyXu Jin0Yidan Dong1Longao Yang2Wenchu Huang3Lei Cao4Zhongbin Zhang5Lihua He6Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking UniversityWest China Second University Hospital of Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking UniversityDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking UniversityChongqing Center for Disease Control and PreventionNational Center for Occupational Safety and Health, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of ChinaDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking UniversityAbstract Background Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) constitute a significant challenge in the realm of occupational health, especially in the manufacturing sector, necessitating the development of efficacious intervention strategies to enhance musculoskeletal health and reduce the incidence of MSDs. The present study is designed to assess the efficacy of a comprehensive ergonomic intervention, specifically tailored to diminish ergonomic risk factors and the prevalence of MSDs among workers engaged in vehicle assembly line operations. Method This interventional study, conducted over a one-year period, was implemented among assembly line workers within a rail bound vehicle manufacturing shop. The study engaged 181 participants who were subjected to a comprehensive ergonomic intervention plan. This intervention encompassed an ergonomic training program, enhancements in auxiliary tool, and the distribution of an ergonomic educational brochure. Workstation ergonomics, including postures and movements, vibrations, and work stress, were evaluated using the Quick Exposure Check (QEC). Participants scored their postural exposure and the intensity, duration, and frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms at nine anatomical sites in the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. All evaluations were conducted at baseline and after a one-year follow-up. Results After the one-year intervention, the QEC scores for the neck, back, shoulders/arms, and wrists/hands decreased significantly (p < 0.01). The self-rated exposure scores for 22 awkward postures and repetitive movements were much lower than at baseline (p < 0.05). Moreover, the self-reported intensity, duration, and frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms in nine body areas all decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusions The findings from this prospective study indicated enhancements in ergonomic conditions and a reduction in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among vehicle assembly workers following a comprehensive ergonomic intervention.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21798-1Occupational healthErgonomicsMusculoskeletal disordersInterventionWork posture |
| spellingShingle | Xu Jin Yidan Dong Longao Yang Wenchu Huang Lei Cao Zhongbin Zhang Lihua He Ergonomic interventions to improve musculoskeletal disorders among vehicle assembly workers: a one-year longitudinal study BMC Public Health Occupational health Ergonomics Musculoskeletal disorders Intervention Work posture |
| title | Ergonomic interventions to improve musculoskeletal disorders among vehicle assembly workers: a one-year longitudinal study |
| title_full | Ergonomic interventions to improve musculoskeletal disorders among vehicle assembly workers: a one-year longitudinal study |
| title_fullStr | Ergonomic interventions to improve musculoskeletal disorders among vehicle assembly workers: a one-year longitudinal study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ergonomic interventions to improve musculoskeletal disorders among vehicle assembly workers: a one-year longitudinal study |
| title_short | Ergonomic interventions to improve musculoskeletal disorders among vehicle assembly workers: a one-year longitudinal study |
| title_sort | ergonomic interventions to improve musculoskeletal disorders among vehicle assembly workers a one year longitudinal study |
| topic | Occupational health Ergonomics Musculoskeletal disorders Intervention Work posture |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21798-1 |
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