Effect of Workplace Intervention on Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms on University Employees in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: We examined the effect of twelve week non supervised exercise programme on prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms on university employees at work place in Saudi Arabia. We also followed up participants in intervention group for six months after twelve weeks of exercise programme to examine if non supervised exercise programme has a sustainable effect. Methods/Statistical Analysis: We randomized twenty-seven males whose age was from (27–57 y) into two groups; intervention (n = 13) and control group (n = 14). Twelve weeks of non-supervised programme was given to intervention group. Exercise sessions were offered two times in each week constituting 30 min of aerobic and eight core exercises for resistance training. Intervention group participants were followed six months after 12 weeks of exercise. Findings: No significant difference in prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms during past 12 months and past 7 days between intervention and control after 12 weeks of exercise at workplace. Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed significant difference with in intervention group after 6 month follow up only on depression (Z = -2.530, P = .011), fasting blood sugar with in intervention group (Z = -2.313, P = .021) and low density lipoprotein (Z = -1.958, P = .050). Application/Improvement: Twelve weeks of non-supervised intervention at work place was not effective in bringing significant change in prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in participating subjects. After six month follow up no significant change was seen in most of the parameters except fasting blood sugar, low density lipoprotein and depression.