Ann Rehabil Med.  2015 Oct;39(5):726-734. 10.5535/arm.2015.39.5.726.

Change in Musculoskeletal Pain in Patients With Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder After Tailored Rehabilitation Education: A One-Year Follow-Up Survey

• Lee DH
• Kang B
• Choi S
• Kim T
• Jang SH
• Lee KH
• Kim MJ
• Park SB
• Han SH

• KMID: 2148203
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2015.39.5.726

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To apply tailored rehabilitation education to video display terminal (VDT) workers with musculoskeletal pain and to assess changes in musculoskeletal pain after rehabilitation education.
METHODS
A total of 8,828 VDT workers were screened for musculoskeletal disorders using a self-report questionnaire. Six hundred twenty-six VDT workers selected based on their questionnaires were enrolled in musculoskeletal rehabilitation education, which consisted of education on VDT syndrome and confirmed diseases, exercise therapy including self-stretching and strengthening, and posture correction. One year later, a follow-up screening survey was performed on 316 VDT workers, and the results were compared with the previous data.
RESULTS
Compared with the initial survey, pain intensity was significantly decreased in the neck area; pain duration and frequency were significantly decreased in the low back area; and pain duration, intensity, and frequency were significantly decreased in the shoulder and wrist after tailored rehabilitation education. In addition, pain duration, intensity, and frequency showed a greater significant decrease after tailored rehabilitation education in the mild pain group than in the severe pain group.
CONCLUSIONS
This study found that work-related musculoskeletal pain was reduced after tailored rehabilitation education, especially in the shoulder, wrist, and low back.

Keyword

Video display terminal worker; Work-related musculoskeletal pain; Tailored rehabilitation education

MeSH Terms

Computer Terminals
Education*
Exercise Therapy
Follow-Up Studies*
Humans
Mass Screening
Musculoskeletal Pain*
Neck
Posture
Rehabilitation*
Shoulder
Wrist

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Musculoskeletal rehabilitation education flow chart. CT, computed tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; EMG, electromyography; U/S, ultrasonography.

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  Fig. 2 Comparison of pain intensity between pre- and post-musculoskeletal rehabilitation education (*p<0.05). Score 1, mild pain; score 2, moderate pain; score 3, severe pain.

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  Fig. 3 Comparison of pain duration between pre- and post-musculoskeletal rehabilitation education (*p<0.05). Score 1 indicates pain for less than one day. Score 2 represents pain for at least one day to less than one week. Score 3 indicates pain for one week to less than six months. Score 4 represents pain for longer than six months.

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  Fig. 4 Comparison of pain frequency between pre- and post-musculoskeletal rehabilitation education (*p<0.05). Score 1, once a year; score 2, once a month; score 3, once a week; score 4, daily.

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