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Evaluation of a Workplace Exercise Program for Control of Shoulder Disorders in Overhead Assembly Work
Brian D Lowe1, Peter B Shaw, Sean R Wilson
1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio (Drs Lowe, Shaw, Hudock, Ray, Wurzelbacher); Premise Health, Georgetown, Kentucky (Mr Wilson); Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc., Georgetown, Kentucky (Mr Whitaker, Mr Witherspoon); and Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc., Erlanger, Kentucky (Ms Barrero).
Workplace exercise may offer temporary relief for shoulder pain in assembly line workers. However, the long-term benefits and clinical significance of these exercise interventions remain uncertain for preventing disability.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Overhead assembly work is associated with increased risk of shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms.
- Effective interventions are needed to mitigate these symptoms in industrial settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a workplace exercise program on shoulder pain and discomfort in automotive assembly workers.
- To assess if exercise can prevent the progression of shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A voluntary workplace shoulder exercise program was implemented in two departments, with two similar departments serving as controls.
- 76 workers participated, completing the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) and Discomfort of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) assessments monthly for 7 baseline months and 6 months of intervention.
- Statistical analysis examined group-by-month interactions to determine the effect of exercise.
Main Results:
- Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) scores were higher in the exercise group compared to controls during the intervention period, but not during baseline.
- A significant group-by-month interaction (P < 0.05) was observed, indicating a differential effect over time.
- The temporal trend of symptom improvement was inconsistent, suggesting a complex response to the exercise intervention.
Conclusions:
- Workplace exercise interventions may provide a temporary reduction in shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms for assembly line workers.
- The clinical meaningfulness of short-term improvements and the potential for long-term disability prevention through exercise require further investigation.
- More research is needed to understand the sustained efficacy and predictive value of exercise in managing occupational shoulder complaints.
