This study aims to evaluate potential correlation of stress as estimated by certain biological markers, namely saliva cortisol, Heart rate variability (HRV), Electromyography (EMG) with musculoskeletal system health status, and assess the impact of a stress management intervention..The intervention group will be trained to apply two evidence based stress management techniques and they will be guided with tips and advice about musculoskeletal health. Impact of the intervention upon measured stress related markers will be assessed.
The goal of this non-pharmacological randomized interventional study is to investigate work-related stress in relation to the musculoskeletal health of employees. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate if stress management interventions in employees can improve self-reported musculoskeletal health problems or Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), in relation with biomarkers of stress. Secondary outcomes will include quality of life improvement and the number of absences from work, due to musculoskeletal conditions. The main question aims to answer if specific stress management techniques can improve the self-reported musculoskeletal health of employees. Researchers will compare the results between two groups (one participating in the the six (6) week program and the other not participating) to measure the effect size in the intervention group and between groups. Participants from both groups will be measured twice (on week 1 and week 8) with the same self-report questionnaires and stress biomarkers, if possible. Especially for the intervention group a six-week stress management program will be applied. This will include the participation in one and a half hour consultation meetings about stress, musculoskeletal health, psychosocial work-related factors, and how to improve well-being and work/life satisfaction.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
57
Diaphragmatic breathing (DF), also known as belly or abdominal breathing, is a technique that can teach people how to use their diaphragm correctly while breathing, in order to activate the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system and to control stress.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a technique that is helpful in the reduction of stress. PMR by alternately tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in the body helps participants to become more aware of physical sensations and can be particularly helpful to muscle tension and relaxation.
University of Thessaly
Larissa, Biopolis- Larissa, Greece
RECRUITINGThe Endocrine Unit of the University of Athens
Athens, Greece
RECRUITINGHeart Rate Variability (HRV)
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been widely used as an indicator for work-related stress. It measures the variation in time between each heartbeat and is controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Saliva cortisol
Salivary cortisol has been used as an indicator for stress. Pre-post intervention differences between diurnal circadian rhythm in the saliva cortisol of the participants will be measured, in order to evaluate the efficiency of the intervention upon homeostatic load.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Musculoskeletal symptoms
Musculoskeletal symptoms will be assessed with the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). NMQ is a standardized questionnaire for the assessment of musculoskeletal problems in nine different body regions (neck, shoulders, upper back, elbows, wrist/hands, lower back, hips/thighs, knees, ankles/feet). General questions include 40 forced-choice items where responders could indicate if they had musculoskeletal problems (aches, pain, discomfort) in the last 12 months or seven days. Additional questions ask the participants to report if the musculoskeletal problems had led to inability to perform daily tasks and normal activities. Work-related stress can lead to physical strain, which in turn can lead to musculoskeletal tension and disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common type of occupational diseases and have become the main cause of absenteeism and early retirement in the working population.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Sort Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36)
Quality of life will be measured with the Short Form survey (SF-36) self-report questionnaire. SF-36 provides comprehensive information of an individual health status and assesses eight domains of health such as: Physical functioning, Role limitations due to physical health, Role limitations due to emotional problems, Energy/ fatigue (vitality), Emotional wellbeing, Social functioning, Pain, and General health. It provides valuable insights into participants' perceived health status and overall quality of life. All questions are scored on a scale from 0 to 100, reflecting a range from lowest to highest possible quality of life. Scoring the SF-36 involves a two-step process. At first each question must be pre- coded with a numeric value which is then recorded according to a scoring key and then the second step involves averaging the recorded values from items within the same scale to compute the total scale score.
Time frame: 8 weeks
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