Effectiveness of Ergonomic Training and Exercise in Automotive Factory Workers With Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain

Effectiveness of Ergonomic Training and Exercise in Automotive Factory Workers With Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study compares the effectiveness of ergonomic training and exercise in automotive factory workers with chronic low back pain of unknown cause.

The study was planned as a randomized controlled study. Workers between the ages of 18-60 who have back pain and work in an automotive factory in Galway, Ireland will be included in the study. Participants will be divided into two groups. The factory workers included in the study will be divided into a study group and a control group using a simple random method. Randomization will be done using the sealed envelope method. The study group will be given stretching and strengthening exercises along with ergonomics training. The control group will be given only ergonomics training. The exercises they will do and the ergonomics training will be explained to the participants individually and supported with a brochure. The participants will be asked to do the given exercises 3 days a week and continue for 12 weeks. The given exercises will be followed up with an exercise follow-up chart. In order to collect data on the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, a personal information form will be prepared by the researcher and the participants will be asked to fill it out. In order to collect data from the participants; Visual Analog Scale will be used to collect information about pain, International Physical Activity Questionnaire to collect information about physical activity levels, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire to determine sleep quality, Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale for functionality assessment, Manual Muscle Testing to determine muscle strength. These questionnaires will be repeated before starting the study and at the end of the study. The data to be obtained will be evaluated using SPSS 24 package program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being between 18-60 years old
• Having worked in the same factory for at least 2 years
• Working full time
• Having complained of back pain for at least 3 months
• visual analog scale>4, pain 4 and above on visual analog scale

Exclusion Criteria

• Being under 18 years old or over 60 years old
• Having worked for less than 2 years
• Working part time
• Having complained of back pain for less than 3 months
• visual analog scale Presence of psychological problems
• Using sleeping pills
• Having undergone surgical intervention in the last 6 months