دانلود رایگان مقاله انگلیسی تأثیر یک برنامه ارگونومیک بر کیفیت زندگی و عملکرد کاری دانشگاهی کارکنان با ناتوانی های جسمی - الزویر 2018

ABSTRACT

Background: Problems related to physical disability may have an extremely negative  impact in the work environment, reducing productivity and contributing to health  problems and a worsening quality of life.  Objective: To assess the effects of an ergonomic intervention program on the quality of life and the work performance of people with physical disabilities working in a university environment. Methods: A pilot clinical trial with three-month follow-up was conducted at the XXX of the Federal University of XXX (Brazil). Eight workers at the university took part in an ergonomic adjustment (using ErgoDis/IBV software) and physiotherapy program at their workplace for twelve weeks, in two 60-minute sessions per week. The measuring instruments used were the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire for quality of life and the Work Ability Index for work ability. A repeated-measures ANOVA analysis and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were also performed. Results: Significant intra-group changes were observed in the QoL subscales for the physical dimension (F=5.487, p=0.017) and the environment dimension (F=7.510, p=0.006). The post-treatment analysis revealed significant changes for both the physical 22dimension (Z=-2.552, p=0.011) and the environment dimension (Z=-2.201, p=0.028). After the three-month follow-up period, only the environment dimension recorded a significant change (Z=-1.965, p=0.049). The effect sizes were large. Regarding work ability, the repeated-measures ANOVA analysis showed a significant time effect (F=5.067, p=0.022), with large pre-post treatment improvement (Z=-2.555, p=0.011, d=0.914).  Conclusions: The program based on ergonomic and physiotherapy program greatly enhanced the subjects’ quality of life and work ability.

Conclusions

The results we present show that participation in an ergonomic intervention program by workers with physical disabilities is beneficial to their QoL and enhances their job performance. Ergonomic adaptations in the workplace and the provision of physiotherapy treatment are effective when they take into account the specific needs of this population. This pilot clinical trial provides a basis for promoting new research and clinical initiatives in the university context. Broader-based studies are now needed to examine the benefits obtained from new strategies aimed at preventing injuries in the workplace and at promoting the integration and welfare of workers with disabilities.