Evaluating the Changes in the Functional Status of the Musculoskeletal System before and after an Intervention among Sewing Machine Operators with Partial Work Ability

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational diseases in Estonia and in the European Union as a whole. Sewing machine operators’ work is very monotonous, in continuous sitting position, with repetitive one-side movements of the upper limbs and legs. Working in an awkward posture and doing the same movements for a long period of time increases the risk of musculoskeletal system disorders, and in longer perspective, could cause work disability. The aim of the study was to analyse the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, intensity and duration of pain in a different body regions and to assess the changes of the functional status of the musculoskeletal system before and after the intervention among workers with partial work ability. The target group was 57 sewing machine operators, who were presented with an anonymous online questionnaire and agreed to participate in the intervention program. The study group was 12 sewing machine operators with partial work ability. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) method was used for evaluating ergonomic workstations. The pain assessment was studied by NPRS, Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Online questionnaires were based on BQ (Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire) and NMQ (The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire). The results showed that musculoskeletal status among workers with partial work ability improved after the intervention. Associations between individual and job related factors and musculoskeletal pain were observed. The research allows to make actual proposals for workplace layout of sewing machine operators, to provide ergonomic deployment and offer suitable exercise movements for rest breaks.