The effect of ergonomics training given to office workers on musculoskeletal disorders and working postures

Objectives. This study aimed to determine the impact of ergonomics training given to office workers on their risk scores for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and their working postures. Methods. The study was conducted in a university located in a province in the east of Turkey's Black Sea region, with a total of 60 office workers randomly assigned to two groups (30 in the experimental group, 30 in the control group). The results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon and Friedman tests. Results. After the training, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the average scores of rapid office strain assessment (ROSA), rapid upper limb assessment (RULA), and spine and upper extremity discomfort, whereas no significant change was found in lower extremity discomfort (p > 0.05). In pairwise comparisons, 1 week after the training there was a decrease in the average scores of ROSA and RULA compared to before the training (p < 0.001), and this trend was maintained in the RULA score average after 12 weeks (p < 0.001), while it could not be maintained in the ROSA score average (p > 0.05). Conclusion. The ergonomics training intervention provided to the office employees was effective in improving their working postures and reducing MSDs, thereby creating awareness.