[Effect of Rest Pauses Combined with Information Leaflets on the Decrease in Musculoskeletal Pain in Administrative...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Public Health

Background:

• Musculoskeletal pain is prevalent among administrative workers.
• Prolonged sitting and repetitive tasks contribute to discomfort.
• Effective interventions are needed to mitigate pain in office environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of combining work pauses with information leaflets on reducing musculoskeletal pain.
• To assess the effectiveness of this intervention in administrative staff at a public institution in Lima, Peru.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental study design with an intervention and a control group.
• The intervention group received weekly information leaflets and a program of rest pauses (breathing exercises, stretching).
• The control group received only weekly information leaflets. Pain rates and intensity were measured.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed significant reductions in neck (20%) and lumbar spine (17%) pain.
• The control group experienced a decrease in lumbar spine pain only.
• Overall, the intervention group reported less pain across all evaluated body regions.

Conclusions:

• Combining rest pauses with information leaflets effectively decreases musculoskeletal pain in administrative workers.
• This intervention strategy is a viable option for implementation in various institutional settings.
• The findings support proactive measures to improve workplace well-being.