Abstract
BackgroundCleaners constitute a job group with poor health and low socioeconomic resources. Therefore, there is a great need for scientifically documented health promoting initiatives for cleaners. However, both workplace initiatives and high quality intervention studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 3-month workplace trial with interventions to improve physical or cognitive behavioural resources among cleaners.MethodsA cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted among 294 female cleaners from 9 workplaces. The participants were allocated to three groups: Physical coordination training (PCT, n = 95), Cognitive behavioural theory-based training (CBTr, n = 99) and Reference group (REF, n = 100). Interventions were conducted during work hours for an average of 1 hour/week. Muscle strength was measured by maximal voluntary contractions in trunk/extension, and shoulder abduction/elevation. Postural balance was measured on a force platform. Kinesiophobia was measured with Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Test and questionnaires were completed at baseline and at 3-month follow-up and analyses followed the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle with last observation carried forward in case of missing data at follow-up. Reports and analyses are given on true observations as well.ResultsITT-analyses revealed that PCT improved strength of the trunk (p < .05) and postural balance (p < .05) compared to CBTr and REF. Based on true observations the strength and balance improvements corresponded to ~20% and ~16%, respectively. ITT-analyses showed that CBTr reduced kinesiophobia compared to PCT and REF (p < .05). Based on true observations, the improvement corresponded to a ~16% improvement.ConclusionThis workplace-based intervention study including PCT and CBTr among cleaners improved strength and postural balance from PCT, and kinesiophobia from CBTr. The improved strength, postural balance and kinesiophobia may improve the cleaners' tolerance for high physical work demands. Future studies should investigate the potential in the combination of PCT and CBTr in a workplace intervention.Trial registrationCurrent controlled trials ISRCTN96241850
Highlights
Cleaners constitute a job group with poor health and low socioeconomic resources
Seventeen and eighteen percent did not receive the intervention at any time in the physically intensive strength coordination training (PCT) and cognitive behavioural theory-based training (CBTr), respectively
E.g. for kinesiophobia cognitive behavioural training is tested against physical coordination training+reference and for all other outcomes physical coordination training is tested against cognitive behavioural training+reference
Summary
Cleaners constitute a job group with poor health and low socioeconomic resources. There is a great need for scientifically documented health promoting initiatives for cleaners Both workplace initiatives and high quality intervention studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 3month workplace trial with interventions to improve physical or cognitive behavioural resources among cleaners. Cleaners defined as people whose main job task is cleaning work (janitors, custodians, cleaning assistants) constitute a job group with poor health and low socioeconomic resources [1,2,3,4]. No previous high quality studies have investigated the effects of physical training on physical resources among cleaners. Interventions to improve muscle strength and postural control such as coordination training may be relevant for preventing deterioration in this job group
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
