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Effectiveness of an occupational health intervention program to reduce whole body vibration exposure: An evaluation study with a controlled pretest–post‐test design
Author(s) -
Tiemessen Ivo J.H.,
Hulshof Carel T.J.,
FringsDresen Monique H.W.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20769
Subject(s) - medicine , whole body vibration , physical therapy , intervention (counseling) , randomized controlled trial , test (biology) , randomization , environmental health , nursing , surgery , paleontology , physics , quantum mechanics , vibration , biology
Background An effective intervention program aiming to reduce whole body vibration (WBV) exposure at work will reduce the number of low back complaints in the near future. Methods An evaluation study with a controlled pretest–post‐test design. Nine companies and 126 drivers were included in the study. Cluster randomization on company level divided the drivers and their employers in an intervention group and a “care‐as‐usual” group. At baseline (T0) and intervention program was implemented and evaluated after 7 months (T1). The main outcome measure was WBV exposure. Process measures included knowledge, attitude, and (intended) behavior towards reduction of WBV exposure for the drivers and knowledge and WBV policy for the employers. Results At T1, no significant reduction was found in WBV exposure within both groups compared with T0. Conclusions Probably due to poor to moderate compliance, the intervention program was not effective in reducing the WBV exposure on group level but small reductions in WBV exposure are possible when intervention compliance is high. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:943–952, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.