Comparing the Impact of Workplace Lifestyle Interventions: A 7-Month Study on Musculoskeletal Disorders

This non-randomized controlled parallel-group study evaluated the effects of a workplace multicomponent lifestyle intervention compared with active breaks and health education on work-related musculoskeletal disorders in industrial workers. A total of 266 manufacturing company employees were allocated to a lifestyle intervention (resistance training plus active breaks, and health education), an active breaks intervention (active breaks plus health education), or a health education-only condition. work-related musculoskeletal disorders prevalence and pain intensity were assessed at baseline and after 7 months using the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. At baseline, symptoms were most common in the neck, shoulders, hips/thighs, knees, and ankles/feet. Among initially symptomatic participants, all groups reduced 7-day symptom prevalence in multiple regions, with additional improvements in elbows and hips/thighs in the multicomponent program. New work-related musculoskeletal disorders cases were similar across groups at follow-up.