A randomised controlled trial among cleaners-Effects on strength, balance and kinesiophobia

BMC Public Health

Research Article

John Ektor-Andersen¹  Gisela Sjøgaard²  Karen Søgaard²  Andreas Holtermann³  Marie Birk Jørgensen⁴ 

[1] Clinical Alchohol Research Lund University, Lund University, Lund, Sweden;Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark;The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark;The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark;Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark;

关键词: Muscle Strength;    Maximal Voluntary Contraction;    Postural Balance;    Pain Coping;    Workplace Intervention;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-11-776

 received in 2011-05-16, accepted in 2011-10-10,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundCleaners constitute a job group with poor health and low socioeconomic resources. Therefore, there is a great need for scientifically documented health promoting initiatives for cleaners. However, both workplace initiatives and high quality intervention studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 3-month workplace trial with interventions to improve physical or cognitive behavioural resources among cleaners.MethodsA cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted among 294 female cleaners from 9 workplaces. The participants were allocated to three groups: Physical coordination training (PCT, n = 95), Cognitive behavioural theory-based training (CBTr, n = 99) and Reference group (REF, n = 100). Interventions were conducted during work hours for an average of 1 hour/week. Muscle strength was measured by maximal voluntary contractions in trunk/extension, and shoulder abduction/elevation. Postural balance was measured on a force platform. Kinesiophobia was measured with Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Test and questionnaires were completed at baseline and at 3-month follow-up and analyses followed the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle with last observation carried forward in case of missing data at follow-up. Reports and analyses are given on true observations as well.ResultsITT-analyses revealed that PCT improved strength of the trunk (p < .05) and postural balance (p < .05) compared to CBTr and REF. Based on true observations the strength and balance improvements corresponded to ~20% and ~16%, respectively. ITT-analyses showed that CBTr reduced kinesiophobia compared to PCT and REF (p < .05). Based on true observations, the improvement corresponded to a ~16% improvement.ConclusionThis workplace-based intervention study including PCT and CBTr among cleaners improved strength and postural balance from PCT, and kinesiophobia from CBTr. The improved strength, postural balance and kinesiophobia may improve the cleaners' tolerance for high physical work demands. Future studies should investigate the potential in the combination of PCT and CBTr in a workplace intervention.Trial registrationCurrent controlled trials ISRCTN96241850

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Jørgensen et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011