Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Vincent Hildebrandt
ORCID ID
Contact details
P.O. Box 2215
Leiden
2301 CE
Netherlands
+31 71 5181744
vh.hildebrandt@pg.tno.nl
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
WC 2002-044
Study information
Scientific title
Acronym
RSI@Work study
Study hypothesis
A lifestyle physical activity intervention has an added value in addition to a work style intervention focused on ergonomics, breaks and coping with high work demands on the recovery from neck and upper limb symptoms in computer workers.
Ethics approval
The study was approved by the medical ethics committee of the VU University Medical Center (07/09/2004), protocol number 2004/027.
Study design
Randomised controlled trial with two intervention groups and a control group.
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Condition
Neck and upper limb symptoms
Intervention
The interventions for the two intervention groups both consist of six group meetings in a six month period that take place at the workplace, during work time and under the supervision of a specially trained counsellor. In both intervention groups the goal of the group meetings is to improve workplace ergonomics, the number and quality of breaks and coping behaviour with regard to high work demands. In the work style and physical activity group the additional goal is to increase moderate to heavy physical activity. Both intervention groups are compared with a control group that does not receive any advice.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Specified
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
1. Degree of recovery
2. Pain intensity
3. Disability
4. Presence and number of days with neck and upper limb symptoms
5. Number of months without neck and upper limb symptoms
Secondary outcome measures
1. Physical activity
2. Body posture and workplace ergonomics
3. The use of breaks and exercise reminder software
4. Extrinsic effort and reward
5. Decision authority
6. Phase of behavioral change with regard to physical activity and work style
7. Cardiorespiratory fitness
8. Maximum grip strength
9. Absenteeism
10. Worker productivity
Overall trial start date
01/10/2002
Overall trial end date
01/10/2005
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Computer workers aged 18-64
2. Frequent or long-term neck and upper limb symptoms in the preceding six months
3. Frequent or long-term neck and upper limb symptoms in the preceding two weeks
By using a six month period and a two week period, we intend to include workers with chronic and recurrent symptoms as well as workers with recent symptoms.
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
405 computer workers with neck and upper limb symptoms
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Performing computer work at less than three days a week or during less than three hours a day
2. A working contract shorter than one year
3. Under care of a doctor or (physical) therapist for complaints in the neck, shoulders arms, wrists and/or hands
4. Non-work related pathologies or clear somatic afflictions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, cervical hernia, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome)
5. Sickness absence of 50% or more
6. Pregnant
Recruitment start date
01/10/2002
Recruitment end date
01/10/2005
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Netherlands
Trial participating centre
P.O. Box 2215
Leiden
2301 CE
Netherlands
Sponsor information
Organisation
Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine (The Netherlands)
Sponsor details
Research Center Physical Activity
Work and Health
TNO-VUmc
VU University Medical Center
Van der Boechorststraat 7
Amsterdam
1081 BT
Netherlands
+ 31 20 4448206
i.vanderleden@vumc.nl
Sponsor type
Research organisation
Website
Funders
Funder type
Research organisation
Funder name
Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine of the VU University Medical Center (EMGO-institute) and TNO Quality of Life (Netherlands). The study is internally funded.
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
1. 2006 protocol in http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17062141
2. 2007 results in http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17768009
3. 2011 results in http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20864468
Publication citations
-
Protocol
Bernaards CM, Ariëns GA, Hildebrandt VH, The (cost-)effectiveness of a lifestyle physical activity intervention in addition to a work style intervention on the recovery from neck and upper limb symptoms in computer workers., BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2006, 7, 80, doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-7-80.
-
Results
Bernaards CM, Ariëns GA, Knol DL, Hildebrandt VH, The effectiveness of a work style intervention and a lifestyle physical activity intervention on the recovery from neck and upper limb symptoms in computer workers., Pain, 2007, 132, 1-2, 142-153, doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.06.007.
-
Results
Bernaards CM, Bosmans JE, Hildebrandt VH, van Tulder MW, Heymans MW, The cost-effectiveness of a lifestyle physical activity intervention in addition to a work style intervention on recovery from neck and upper limb symptoms and pain reduction in computer workers., Occup Environ Med, 2011, 68, 4, 265-272, doi: 10.1136/oem.2008.045450.