Work Productivity Research Articles

How does knowledge based human resource management practices enhance organizational performance? The mediating role of knowledge workers productivity

This research aims to investigate the impact of knowledge-based human resource management (KBHRM) practices on organizational performance through the mediating role of quality and quantity of knowledge worker productivity (QQKWP). The data were collected from 325 employees working in different private universities of Pakistan by using convenience and purposive sampling techniques. The quantitative research technique was used to perform analysis on WarpPLS software. The result revealed that only knowledge-based recruiting practices have a positive and significant direct effect on organizational performance. While knowledge-based performance appraisal practices, training and development practices and compensation practices all were insignificant in this regard. However, through mediator QQKWP, the knowledge-based recruiting practices (KBRP), knowledge-based training and development (KBTD), and knowledge-based compensation practices (KBCP) all were positively and significantly influencing organizational performance but only knowledge-based performance appraisal (KBPA) was insignificant in this mediating relationship. Lastly, the current study provides useful insights into the knowledge management (KM) literature in the context of private higher educational institutes of developing countries like Pakistan. The future studies should consider the impact of KBHRM practices on knowledge workers’ productivity and firms’ performances in the context of public universities.

Latent class analysis of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Symptoms post-SARS-CoV-2 infection may persist for months and cause significant impairment and impact to quality of life. Acute symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are well studied, yet data on clusters of symptoms over time, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), are limited. We aim to characterize PASC phenotypes by identifying symptom clusters over a six-month period following infection in individuals vaccinated (boosted and not) and those unvaccinated. Subjects with ≥1 self-reported symptom and positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 at CVS Health US test sites were recruited between January and April 2022. Patient-reported outcomes symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) were captured at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-acute infection. Phenotypes of PASC were determined based on subject matter knowledge and balanced consideration of statistical criteria (lower AIC, lower BIC, and adequate entropy) and interpretability. Generalized estimation equation approach was used to investigate relationship between QoL, WPAI and number of symptoms and identified phenotypes, and relationship between phenotypes and vaccination status as well. LCA identified three phenotypes that are primarily differentiated by number of symptoms. These three phenotypes remained consistent across time periods. Subjects with more symptoms were associated with lower HRQoL, and worse WPAI scores. Vaccinated individuals were more likely to be in the low symptom burden latent classes at all time points compared to unvaccinated individuals.

Evaluating effects of community-based social healing model on Ubuntu, mental health and psychosocial functioning in post-genocide Rwanda: protocol for cluster randomized control trial.

The community-based social healing (CBSH) model, developed by Ubuntu Centre for Peace, aims to support individuals with traumatic experiences and mental health challenges in achieving better mental health. CBSH combines BREATH-BODY-MIND™ (BBM) practices with collective narrative and rituals, facilitated by Community Healing Assistants in therapeutic groups. A previous pilot study involving 1889 Rwandan CBSH participants showed significant mental health improvements, including reductions in depression, anxiety, and PTSD, along with enhanced work productivity, and decreased intimate partner violence. The trial investigates the CBSH model's impact on Ubuntu and mental health. Ubuntu, a concept that encompasses humanness, compassion, and interconnectedness, is deeply rooted in the African philosophy. This cluster randomized controlled trial will involve 54 villages randomly selected in the Kirehe district, with 1080 participants randomly allocated equally to the CBSH intervention or a wait-list control group. While the trial will be conducted at the village (cluster) level, both primary and secondary outcomes will be measured individually for participants within each cluster. The Primary outcome "Ubuntu" will be measured using a context-adapted Ubuntu measurement scale. Secondary outcomes include psychosocial indicators which will be assessed through standardized tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire for depression (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale (WEMWS), Connor-Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISK-10), Somatic Symptom Severity Scale (PHQ-15), Revised Conflict Tactics scale (CTS2S), and Adapted Social Capital Assessment Tool (SASCAT). This trial aims to evaluate the CBSH model's impacts on Ubuntu, mental health, and social functioning among trauma-affected Rwandans, including those impacted by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, mass killings, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. The findings could be of value to the Ubuntu Centre for Peace, policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and other stakeholders, by highlighting the significance of promoting Ubuntu as a foundation for addressing mental health challenges and the consequences of psychosocial trauma. ISRCTN ISRCTN17659369. Registered on February 09, 2024.

Analysis of Industrial Performance Indicators Effects On Enhance The Competitiveness of The Food Sector and The Possibility Of Support in The Iraqi Economy (2003-2020)

This study was aimed on analyze the competitiveness of the food industry sector, and showed the level of industrial and competitive performance of these industries, and the possibility of supporting and enhancing their competitiveness in the Iraqi economy for the period 2003-2020. Competitiveness is considered one of the most important indicators of the efficiency of the food industry tool in local and foreign markets, as competitiveness represents the ability of productive sectors of different types to distribute their products and increase their sales level. Therefore, the food industry in Iraq is considered one of the most important sectors of the manufacturing industries that suffer from problems and obstacles including a decrease in the level of competitive and industrial performance. It is believed that the problem of the research is the weak competitiveness of the food industry in Iraq due to the decline in the quality of manufactured products and the weak level of competitiveness of these products compared to imported products. The results of the study showed a decrease and fluctuation in the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the gross domestic product (GDP) in Iraq. The economic policy was not providing the possibility of an investment climate to support and enhance the private sector in industrial investment. The indicators of production requirements such as labor productivity, worker productivity, and the value added index of the food industries sector began to fluctuate between decrease and increase, and to measure the extent of the reciprocal effects between all parts of the standard model and the extent of its contribution to developing the competitive capacity of this sector.

Spirituality and workplace performance: a theoretical insight

Purpose The primary objective of the study is to explore and elucidate the relationship between spirituality and workplace performance. This study aims to fill a gap in the existing literature by presenting a theoretical–methodological framework that incorporates various aspects and research propositions, differentiating them based on specific mediating variables. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a systematic literature review methodology, analyzing 95 articles published over 20 years (2002–2022). This approach is designed to collate and synthesize evidence supporting the proposed relationship between spirituality and workplace performance and to understand the nuances of spirituality’s influence on performance. Findings The systematic review reveals recurring mediating constructs and various established theoretical–empirical relationships between spirituality and workplace performance throughout the study period. It highlights the significant role of spirituality in enhancing worker well-being, engagement and productivity. Social implications This study addresses the impacts on societal views of work, employee well-being and organizational culture, especially considering the growing discussions around holistic and spiritually inclusive workplaces. Originality/value This paper introduces originality by presenting a theoretical–methodological framework that emphasizes five distinct research propositions. These propositions, rooted in a comprehensive literature review, provide insights into how spirituality might influence workplace performance through various mediating variables.

Using a computational cognitive model to simulate the effects of personal and social network experiences on seasonal influenza vaccination decisions

IntroductionSeasonal influenza poses significant societal costs, including illness, mortality, and reduced work productivity. Vaccination remains the most effective strategy for preventing the disease, yet vaccination rates in the United States fall below 50% for adults. Understanding the factors influencing vaccination decisions is crucial for designing interventions to improve uptake. This study investigates how personal experiences and the experiences of social contacts affect individual decisions to get vaccinated against influenza.MethodsA multi-year longitudinal survey study was conducted to examine the impact of personal and social network experiences on vaccination decisions. Participants' vaccination behaviors and experiences with influenza were tracked over time. To model these influences, we developed a memory-based vaccination decision model using the Adaptive Control of Thought – Rational (ACT-R) integrated cognitive architecture, which incorporates cognitive processes associated with memory and decision-making.ResultsThe survey results demonstrated that both personal experiences with influenza and the experiences of close social contacts significantly influenced vaccination decisions. The memory-based model, built within the ACT-R framework, effectively captured these effects, providing a computational representation of how personal and social factors contribute to vaccination behaviors.DiscussionThe findings suggest that personal and social experiences play a critical role in shaping vaccination decisions, which can inform the development of targeted interventions to increase vaccination uptake. By incorporating cognitive processes into the model, we identified potential strategies to enhance vaccine promotion efforts, such as recalling past experiences with illness to motivate individuals to get vaccinated.

THE INFLUENCE OF JOB PROMOTION, COMPETENCE, DISCIPLINE AND MOTIVATION ON EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY

The study serves to determine the effect of job promotion, competence, discipline, and motivation on employee productivity. The population of the above research is operators and supervisors. To calculate the number of samples using the Slovin formula and obtained a total of 86 people as a sample. This type of research uses quantitative research. The data collection method used is an online questionnaire. The results of the study state that job promotion has no positive and insignificant effect on employees. Competence has a positive and significant effect on employees. Discipline has a positive and significant effect on employees. Motivation produces a positive and insignificant effect on employees. Job promotion, competence, discipline and motivation simultaneously have a significant effect on employee work productivity.

QOL-06. OPTIMIZING NEUROFIBROMATOSIS CARE: A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF A SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE CENTER’S IMPACT ON PATIENT OUTCOMES

Abstract Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2) and other schwannomatoses represent a spectrum of genetic disorders characterized by the development of tumors on nerve tissues, profoundly impacting patients’ quality of life and posing complex challenges. Recognizing the imperative for comprehensive care delivery, we undertook to implement a Neurofibromatosis Expertise Center (CE) at the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Quebec, Canada. Employing a robust analysis framework, we aimed to assess the economic viability of the CE by quantifying the Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) gained through centralized multidisciplinary neurofibromatosis care (cost-utility ratio = CAD/QALY gained). Leveraging data from validated questionnaires including the SF-6D, our preliminary analysis revealed significant enhancements in patients’ quality of life across diverse domains, including physical pain, visible cutaneous lesions, cognitive dysfunction, hearing loss, malignancies, psychiatric comorbidities, unemployment, physical disability, and social isolation. Notably, among the respondents (N = 115), patients receiving CE services reported a 12% increase in general health compared to a 25% decline among those without CE services. Moreover, 28% of CE patients reported improved overall health compared to 12% of those without CE services. Using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI-GH), we found that cohorts followed in CE for ≥ 1 year (N = 45) experienced less work productivity losses compared to the most recent cohort (N = 32), which presented scores exceeding 6 on a 1-to-10 scale. We hypothesize that the establishment of the CE will yield profound improvements in patient health outcomes and alleviate financial strains on the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux du Québec (MSSS). Therefore, our next steps include discussing a strategy for funding application to the MSSS to ensure the accessibility of necessary care for patients. Continuing data collection and analysis will also provide a more comprehensive overview of patient characteristics and needs.

“Human Beings Are Too Cheap in India”: Wages and Work Organization as Business Strategies in Bombay's Late Colonial Textile Industry

Abstract This article examines the business strategies employed by early twentieth-century Bombay mill owners in work organization and wage differentiation. The traditionally highly segmented and fluctuating domestic textile markets in India were further complicated by colonial free trade policies, making them highly competitive. This prompted Bombay mills to adopt various strategies, including maintaining a flexible workforce, product diversification, tailoring sales strategies to the Indian market, and increasing labour inputs, related to their heavy reliance on short-stapled Indian raw cotton. Using detailed and disaggregated data reported by textile mills in Bombay during the 1920s and 1930s, this article investigates how employers adopted these strategies in tandem with distinct wage-setting systems as management tools to depress the wage bill. By analysing the motivations behind the adoption of or resistance to these tools across different operations within the production process – such as weaving, spinning, reeling, and winding – the article reveals how gendered and social-class stratifications shaped these strategies and led to wage disparities across the industry. Ultimately, these labour-intensive strategies, conditioned by the broader colonial context in which India's textile industry developed, were at the root of the lower productivity of Indian workers, with long-run adverse consequences for India's general industrial development.

International capital flows in the process of longevity catch-up

Abstract Using a polynomial cointegration technique, this paper shows that the bilateral US current account balance with China has a U-shaped relationship with the life expectancy gap between the US and China. A narrowing gap initially increases the US deficit with China, but eventually, this increased US deficit falls with the further catching-up of Chinese life expectancy. The life expectancy gap between the two countries has been below the threshold level since 2013, and this demographic trend has the potential to improve the US deficit with China. This U-shaped relationship can be theoretically reproduced. A two-country overlapping generations model indicates that the effect of life expectancy is decomposed into four components: retirement savings, social security burden, the number of elderly workers, and the productivity of elderly workers. The total effect of foreign life expectancy on the home current account balance exhibits a sign change in the catching-up of foreign life expectancy.

Collaboration in Occupational Health Nursing: A Concept Analysis Review.

Establishing collaboration with occupational health staff is essential to support workers and organizations in the field of occupational health. Accordingly, occupational health nurses (OHNs) have recognized the need to collaborate with other professionals, including non-health care professionals. This review aimed to examine the components of collaboration in OHNs. This review was conducted using Walker and Avant's eight-step analysis method on 267 papers (174 in Japanese and 93 in English) identified through an extensive literature review. Key attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents helped shape an operational definition of the concept of collaboration. Collaboration among OHNs is a process that integrates individuals, organizations, and systems. Further, OHNs are responsible for ensuring that employers and workers collaborate to actively promote and facilitate occupational health activities. In addition, OHNs assess the health status of individuals and organizations to determine whether collaboration is needed through the occupational nursing process. The quality and outcomes of collaboration are influenced by social trends and the health culture of each organization. Through collaboration with various stakeholders, OHNs contribute to making the workplace a better environment, improving labor efficiency, increasing worker productivity, and ensuring health and safety. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of collaboration in occupational health nursing. Collaboration among OHNs is notably characterized by its "integration." OHNs can facilitate collaboration between employers and employees in occupational health activities, potentially benefiting both businesses and health care. The clarification of collaboration in this review has the potential to enhance OHN practices and guide future research.

Assessing the Work Productivity Impact of Overactive Bladder Syndrome Among Employees at a Brazilian Hospital.

Few studies have investigated the relationship between work productivity (WP) and overactive bladder syndrome (OABS). The majority of those that do use generic productivity questionnaires or only include WP as a secondary outcome. We evaluated the impact of OABS on specific domains of WP, with the hypothesis that OABS has an impact on the domains of efficiency, concentration, vigor, and irritability, lost working hours, interruptions, and impairment to the work schedule. An observational, cross-sectional study with 576 female employees (without SBH 447, dry OABS 63, wet OABS 66) was carried out. The 8-item Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-V8), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder (ICIQ-OAB), and a WP questionnaire developed by the authors were used. Non-parametric tests were adopted to associate OABS with productivity. The correlation between the instruments was performed using the Spearman test, adopting a value of p = 0.05. There was a significant impact of urinary symptoms on WP (p = 0.03) in the domains of productivity/efficiency (p = 0.03), restlessness (p < 0.05), and interruptions to go to the bathroom (p = 0.03), which was higher among employees with wet OABS. Urgency and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) were the symptoms with the greatest productive impact (p = 0.01, p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between WP scores and OAB-V8 and ICIQ-AOB scores in both groups (p < 0.05). OABS impacted WP, in the domains of efficiency, restlessness, and interruptions to go to the bathroom, with urgency and UUI being the symptoms with the greatest impact on productivity.

The mediating effect of work-life balance on the relationship between work-family conflict and psychological well-being among Chinese working women

The study aims to explore whether work-life balance mediates the impact of work-family conflict and its dimensions on psychological well-being. Using a survey method, data were collected from a sample of 258 working women in Hebei province in China. The analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS and the PROCESS macro in order to test the mediation model. The findings show that work-family conflict has an indirect effect on psychological well-being through work-life balance. In the case of work-to-family conflict, a suppression effect is detected in which the mediator shows an underlying relationship between the work-to-family conflict and psychological well-being. On the other hand, family-to-work conflict is fully moderated by work-life balance. Based on these results, it can be concluded that enhancing the quality of work-life balance may help to reduce the negative impact of work-family conflict on psychological health. The findings of this study can be beneficial to organizations and policy makers to formulate policies that would enhance the mental health and work productivity of women professionals in China.

Patient-reported outcomes related to migraine burden among patients treated with standard-of-care preventive medications or calcitonin gene-related monoclonal antibodies: a United States and Europe cross-sectional survey

Objective To evaluate quality of life, migraine disability, and work productivity and activity impairment in patients with migraine who received preventive treatment by comparing standard of care preventive medications and calcitonin gene-related monoclonal antibodies (CGRP mAbs), including galcanezumab alone. Methods This cross-sectional study conducted across the United States (US) and Europe used data from the Adelphi Migraine Disease Specific Programme. Physicians completed record forms for consecutive patients, who then completed self-report forms assessing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as quality of life, migraine disability, and work productivity and activity impairment. T-tests, Fisher’s exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for analysis. Results From May 2022 to June 2023, 557 physicians submitted data for 6723 patients. A total of 4036 patients (US 956; Europe 3080) with a history of preventive treatment were included (>60% female, >80% White, mean [standard deviation] age range, 38.7 [12.8] to 46.3 [12.1]). Patients who received 3+ lines of preventive therapy and were receiving CGRP mAbs (including galcanezumab alone) had enhanced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to those who receivedstandard of care. Similar findings were observed across Europe; however, in the US, there was no significant difference in any PROs. Conclusion Patients with migraine in the overall population and Europe who received 3+ lines of preventive migraine therapy and were receiving CGRP mAbs/galcanezumab demonstrated enhanced HRQoL compared to those who received standard of care.

An Investigation of Indoor Environment Quality on Occupants’ Thermal Responses, Health, and Productivity: A Study Based on Physiological Data in Occupied Office Space

This study explores the impact of Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) on the health and productivity of office workers in an office building in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan. Previous studies have shown that IEQ can affect the physiological responses of occupants, such as of skin temperature, heart rate, and metabolic rate, which are indicators of health and productivity. However, most studies took place in controlled laboratory environments, which may not accurately represent real-life experiences. The study collected subjective and objective data from actual occupied office space, including on perceptions of IEQ, health, and productivity, and measurements of IEQ parameters such as on the thermal environment, light environment, indoor air quality, and acoustics. The study used correlation and linear regression methods to examine the relationship between IEQ, physiological data, and subjective responses to health and productivity. The stable thermal environment and low physical intensity of office work may contribute to the weak correlation between physiological data, thermal responses, and health–productivity variables. The results of this study can provide insights into how IEQ affects the psychological responses, well-being, and performance of office workers in real-world settings.

The moderating role of paternalistic leadership in the relationship between job satisfaction and job stress among health workers in Gaziantep, Turkey.

Adopting an effective leadership style is of critical importance in increasing healthcare efficiency and therefore determining patient satisfaction. For example, although there are many new and effective leadership types today, the paternalistic leadership approach can still play an effective role in developing countries. The aim of this study is to examine the moderating role of paternalistic leadership in the relationship between job satisfaction and job stress. A total of 466 healthcare workers completed measures of perceived paternalistic leadership, job stress, and job satisfaction. The research was conducted in the center of Gaziantep, one of the largest cities in Turkey. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the moderate variable. Dawson slope were used to visualize the results. A negative relationship was found between job satisfaction and job stress. Additionally, it has been determined that the perception of paternalistic leadership has a moderating role. It has been observed that as the perception of paternalistic leadership increases, the negative relationship between job satisfaction and job stress decreases. It has been concluded that the paternalistic leadership approach can play a critical role in increasing the productivity of healthcare workers and reducing the negative effect of stress on satisfaction. It has been suggested that policies be developed to develop appropriate strategies for creating work environments that will increase employees' perceptions of paternalistic leadership.

Employment status of multiple sclerosis patients in Japan

Aims We conducted a questionnaire survey on Japanese MS patients to determine the relationship of fatigue, depression, and physical activity limitations with the employment status. Materials and Methods The study was conducted to assess the Patient Reported Outcome of MS patients treated with disease modifying drug ≥6 months by recruiting MS patients from a web-based patient panel. Multiple regression analysis was performed by using items described in the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire-General Health Version 2.0 (WPAI-GH) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (Self-Report) (QIDS-SR), and Patient Determined Disease Step (PDDS). Results Employment rates decreased after MS development and were more pronounced in the group with advanced physical disability with PDDS score ≥ 3. Health-related activity limitations were higher with advanced disability. In the analysis of the 5 subdomains of WPAI-GH by FSS score, the domains “due to health reasons”, “disability rates during work”, “overall work disability among the employed”, and” health-related limitations” all increased with higher FSS scores.” In WPAI-GH by QIDS-SR, the work disability rate was higher in the depressed group than in the normal group, and health-related activity limitations increased with the greater depression. Limitations This is a cross-sectional survey and data are based on PRO, hence are subjective and are collected based on patients' overall responses. Some bias could be attributed to memory and literacy rates as this is an online survey. Conclusions The results suggested that the onset of MS prevented patients from working and forced them to resign from their jobs or give up full-time work. The rate of employment tended to be lower in the group with advanced limitations; suggesting that controlling the progression of limitations may lead to lower turnover, and the rate of health-related activity limitations was correlated with the degree of physical activity limitations, depression, and fatigue, respectively.

Enhancing Faculty Work Productivity through Organizational Support and Servant Leadership with the Mediating Role of Work Motivation: A Study Case at University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta

This study aims to examine the influence of organizational support and servant leadership on work productivity, both directly and indirectly through work motivation as a mediating variable. A quantitative approach with a survey method was employed by involving 164 permanent faculty members of the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta as the sample. Data collection techniques was conducted using questionnaires, and path analysis was performed for data analysis. The results indicate that organizational support (β = 0.309), servant leadership (β = 0.375), and work motivation (β = 0.149) have a direct positive, and significant influence on work productivity. Additionally, organizational support (β = 0.338) and servant leadership (β = 0.303) also exert a direct positive and significant influence on work motivation. Work motivation mediates the relationship between organizational support (β = 0.050) and servant leadership (β = 0.045) on work productivity, although this mediating influence is less effective than the direct influences, which are more dominant. The findings offer recommendations for faculties and stakeholders to enhance work productivity in achieving the Three Principles (Tri Dharma) of Higher Education through strategies that strengthen organizational support, servant leadership, and work motivation.

The effects of compensation, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction on work productivity: Evidence from readymade garments industry in an emerging economy

Despite noticeable research interest, the labor-intensive Readymade Garments (RMG) industry has rarely been studied from the perspective of workers’ productivity. Additionally, previous studies already generalized that rewards and organizational commitment lead to employee productivity. However, extant research focused on the RMG industry of Bangladesh, which consists of a different socio-cultural, economic, and political environment, as well as profusion dependency on unskilled labor with an abundance supply of it, hardly considered job satisfaction as a factor that may affect the dynamics of compensations or rewards, commitment, and employee productivity. To address this research gap, this study analyzes the spillover effect of compensation, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction on work productivity in Bangladesh’s readymade garments (RMG) industry. Besides, it delves into the analysis of job satisfaction as a mediator among these relationships. We examined the proposed model by analysing cross-sectional survey data from 475 respondents using the partial least squares-structural equation model in Smart PLS 4.0. The findings show that higher compensation and organizational commitment levels lead to higher levels of job satisfaction, leading to greater productivity. This research also discovered that job satisfaction is a mediator between compensation and productivity and commitment and productivity, respectively. Results further show that increased organizational commitment and competitive wages are the two keyways to boost job satisfaction and productivity in the RMG industry. Relying on the findings, this study outlines pathways for organizational policymakers to improve employee productivity in the labor-intensive industry in developing countries.

The superiority trial of Baduanjin training on patients chronic low back pain: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCNSLBP accounts for 85% of all LBP cases and impairs physical health, quality of life, and work productivity, posing a significant health and economic burden. Baduanjin (BDJ) exercises are traditional Chinese Qi Gong mind-body exercises that have been practiced for over 1,000 years. However, the standard BDJ protocol established by the State Sports General Administration does not stimulate core muscles, limiting the effectiveness of low back pain rehabilitation. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the original BDJ protocol.MethodsThis 24-week single-center, single-blind, parallel-group randomized control superiority trial will allocate 100 patients into two groups (control and intervention) at a 1:1 ratio. The patients in the control group will perform the standard BDJ protocol established by the State Sports General Administration. The patients in the patients in the control group will perform the standard BDJ protocol established by the State Sports General Administration. The intervention group will perform intervention. The primary outcomes will be Quebec back pain disability scale. Secondary outcomes will include visual analog scale pain scores, Surface electromyography. The assessments of the tests will be performed at four time points. Adverse events will be recorded faithfully during the study.DiscussionThis randomized control trial is the first to compare a standard BDJ protocol and an optimized protocol in patients with CNSLBP. This study can help guide rehabilitation programs.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200065618, Registered on 10 Nov. 2022. This protocol is the first version 1, which was approved on 26 Aug 2022.