Impact of Corrective Exercise Training on Work-Related Neck and Shoulder Musculoskeletal Disorders and Quality of Life in Manufacturing Workers.

Abstract

Context: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), especially in the neck and shoulder, are common among manufacturing workers and negatively affect quality of life (QoL) and productivity.

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of an 8-week corrective exercise program in reducing neck and shoulder WMSDs and improving QoL in industrial workers.

Settings and design: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at a cable and wire factory in Iran.

Methods and materials: Forty male workers with WMSDs were assigned to either an intervention (n = 20) or a control (n = 20) group. The intervention group participated in supervised corrective exercises based on the Movement Direction Control model, three times per week for eight weeks. Outcomes were measured using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36).

Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistics, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) for musculoskeletal disorders and QoL dimensions were used. All analyses were performed using SPSS v22 (International Business Machines Cooperation (IBM)) with a significance level set at P < 0.05.

Results: The intervention group showed significant improvement in neck and shoulder pain severity and QoL dimensions. ANCOVA and MANCOVA indicated statistically significant group differences (P < 0.001), with large effect sizes.

Conclusions: Corrective exercise training appears effective in reducing neck and shoulder WMSDs and enhancing QoL among manufacturing workers. Integration of such programs into workplace health strategies is recommended.