Efficacy of an intervention based on workplace exercises regarding burnout and musculoskeletal pain

• Published in: European journal of public health Vol. 30; no. Supplement_5
• Main Authors: Amaral, A P, Santos, G, Pocinho, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford Publishing Limited (England) 01-09-2020
• Subjects: Burnout; Cynicism; Efficacy; Exhaustion; Health policy; Intervention; Inventory; Mental health; Occupational health; Pain; Public health; Workers; Workplaces
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.1003

Background Work stress is associated with a wide range of mental and physical symptoms and presents a challenge in public health. In this study, we highlighted burnout syndrome and musculoskeletal pain. The main goal was to test the efficacy of an intervention based on compensatory workplace exercises in the reduction of burnout levels and musculoskeletal pain. The questions were: 1) How high are the levels of burnout and musculoskeletal pain before the intervention? 2) Does the intervention contribute to reduce the levels of burnout and musculoskeletal pain? Methods This study was conducted in a hospital and employed a pre pos-test design using the following measures: Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The participants are 49 administrative employees, 61.2% females with a mean age of 38.3 years (SD = 11.6). The intervention program consisted of 18 sessions of compensatory workplace exercises, held for five weeks, with a frequency of three sessions per week. Results In relation to burnout, the results obtained before the intervention (mean values) suggest moderate Exhaustion (2.50±0.94), higher Cynicism (3.27±0.92) and lower Professional Efficacy (1.81±0.41). Concerning musculoskeletal pain, it was more prevalent in the shoulders (69.4%) and back (upper 67.3% and lower 65.3%), followed by the thighs and neck (both 61.2%). After intervention, the results showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease of burnout and all musculoskeletal symptoms evaluated. Conclusions The results support the effectiveness of the compensatory workplace exercises in the reduction of burnout and musculoskeletal symptoms contributing to mental and physical health of the workers involved. This study was innovative due to the studied link between burnout and compensatory workplace exercises. Moreover, this study led to changes in the hospital, which implemented better practices for a healthier life of the workers. Key messages The intervention based on compensatory workplace exercises reduced burnout and musculoskeletal pain in a sample of administrative employees and had impact in the health policies of the hospital. The implemented intervention promoted workers' physical and mental health and led to better health practices in the hospital.