Table 1.
Assessment and physiotherapy intervention
| Assessment 1 (preintervention) | |
|---|---|
| One theoretical group session (week 1) | Health education |
| Work-related musculoskeletal diseases, pain and contributing factors (20’) | |
| Postural hygiene and healthy habits at the workstation (20’) | |
| Participants questions (10’) | |
| Individual workplace ergonomics supervision (week 1) | Workplace ergonomic |
| Adjustments of equipment and workers’ use (15’) | |
| Four practical group sessions (weeks 1 to 4) | Therapeutic exercises and pain education |
| Session 1 (week 1) | |
| Breathing exercises (10’) | |
| Body awareness in static positions and dynamic activities (10’) | |
| Activation-relaxation techniques for the cervical and oculomotor muscles (15’) | |
| Self-stretching of cervical and upper extremity muscles (levator scapulae, upper trapezius, pectoralis major, medial and lateral epicondyle muscles) (15’) | |
| Educational support about participants’ pains, beliefs and coping strategies during the exercises | |
| Session 2 (week 2) | |
| Breathing exercises (5’) | |
| Body awareness in static positions and dynamic activities (5’) | |
| Activation-relaxation techniques for the cervical and oculomotor muscles (5’) | |
| Self-stretching of cervical and upper extremity muscles: levator scapulae, upper trapezius, pectoralis major, medial and lateral epicondyle muscles (10’) | |
| Spinal motor control exercises (15’) | |
| Self-stretching of pelvic and lower extremity muscles: iliopsoas, hip external rotators, rectus femoris, and hamstrings (15’) | |
| Educational support about participants’ pains, beliefs, and coping strategies during the exercises | |
| Session 3 (week 3) | |
| Activation-relaxation techniques for the cervical and oculomotor muscles (5’) | |
| Self-stretching of cervical and upper extremity muscles: levator scapulae, upper trapezius, pectoralis major, medial and lateral epicondyle muscles (5’) | |
| Spinal motor control exercises (10’) | |
| Self-stretching of pelvic and lower extremity muscles: iliopsoas, hip external rotators, rectus femoris, and hamstrings (10’) | |
| Strengthening exercises of abdominal and pelvic floor muscles (15’) | |
| Myofascial release of tender points using the 3-tool (10’) | |
| Educational support about participants’ pains, beliefs and coping strategies during the exercises | |
| Session 4 (week 4) | |
| Breathing exercises (5’) | |
| Body awareness in static positions and dynamic activities (5’) | |
| Activation-relaxation techniques for the cervical and oculomotor muscles (5’) | |
| Self-stretching of cervical and upper extremity muscles: levator scapulae, upper trapezius, pectoralis major, medial and lateral epicondyle muscles (5’) | |
| Spinal motor control exercises (5’) | |
| Self-stretching of pelvic and lower extremity muscles: iliopsoas, hip external rotators, rectus femoris, and hamstrings (5’) | |
| Strengthening exercises for abdominal and pelvic floor muscles (10’) | |
| Myofascial release of tender points using the 3-tool (10’) | |
| Educational support about participants’ pains, beliefs and coping strategies during the exercises | |
| Assessment 2 (postintervention) | |
| Follow up phase (weeks 5- 7) | Therapeutic exercises and workplace ergonomics |
| Autonomous performance by workers with audiovisual support | |
| Weekly supervision by the physical therapist in the workplace | |
| Assessment 3 (Follow-up) | |