Efficacy of a new protocol for the prevention of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders in dental hygiene students: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Objective The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to assess the efficacy of a new muscle stretching and strengthening protocol for the prevention of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in dental hygiene students. Methods Students attending the 2nd and 3rd year of a Dental Hygiene Degree Course of a University Hospital were randomly allocated into treatment group (muscle stretching and strengthening sessions) and control group (no treatment). Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), quality of life, the intensity of the pain and the Global Perceived Effect (GPE) Scale were assessed at the baseline (T0), after 4 weeks (T1) and after 16 weeks (T2). Results Of 37 subjects screened for eligibility, 28 patients (aged 28.25 ± 8.89 years) were enrolled and divided into treatment and control groups. The NWQ showed significant between‐group differences in the following regions from T0 to T2: neck (p = 0.0003), shoulders (p = 0.0057) and lower back (p = 0.0136). In terms of pain, a significant between‐group difference was reported from T2 (p