DEP. OF EXERCISE > Publications > PhD thesis > 2011 > Marie Birk Jørgensen
Physical and behavioural training among cleaners
Effects of a randomised controlled workplace intervention trial
PhD thesis by Marie Birk Jørgensen
2011, 174 pages, DKR 100,-
ISBN: 978 87 917 7137 8
High physical demands at work seem to interact with physical and psychosocial pathologies to increase the risk and recurrence of musculoskeletal pain and impaired work ability. A number of different interventions have been suggested to reduce musculoskeletal pain.
Especially physical training and cognitive behavioural training have been efficacious among patients. However, few studies have evaluated their effect among workers. This is in spite of the fact, that job groups cluster workers with similar health-related determinants such as work exposure and socio-economic status.
In the cleaning sector for example, an increased proportion of the workers have low or no education, are immigrants and are paid a low salary. These characteristics resemble those job groups that seldom are introduced to workplace health promotion. Furthermore, cleaners report high levels of musculoskeletal pain and are therefore in a need for preventive initiatives.
The current thesis evaluates the effect of physical coordination training or cognitive behavioural training in a workplace intervention trial. The primary effect evaluation follows a strict randomised, controlled design, however also an evaluation of the practical implications and external validity of the study is given.
The results motivate a discussion of the potential of the workplace as an arena for preventive actions and suggestions for future workplace initiatives are provided.
Preface (pdf, 30 kb)
Contents (pdf, 39 kb)
List of papers (pdf, 30 kb)
Thesis at a glance (pdf, 35 kb)
Introduction (pdf, 74 kb)
Summary (pdf, 34 kb)
