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Adding supervised exercise to ergonomics training does not provide statistically significant additional benefit over ergonomics training alone for pain intensity in construction workers with work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

In a 12-week randomized controlled trial of 52 male construction workers with musculoskeletal complaints, both ergonomics training plus exercise and ergonomics training alone significantly improved pain, fatigue, sleep quality, and symptom burden from baseline. However, the between-group difference in pain intensity was not statistically significant (adjusted difference -0.34, 95% CI -0.99 to 0.32), and no significant incremental effect of added exercise was found on any secondary outcome.

Last updated: Jul 30, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score44/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Ergonomics and Exercise Training as a Basic Intervention for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

observational

Şevgin Ö, Yıldız BB, Safran E · Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 12 weeks
Intervention: Supervised exercise programme added to ergonomics training for 12 weeks
Outcome: Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), musculoskeletal symptom burden (Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), occupational burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory)
Effect Size: Adjusted between-group difference in pain -0.34 (95% CI -0.99 to 0.32); odds ratio for ≥30% pain relief 7.5 (p=0.099)
Population: Male construction workers with musculoskeletal complaints

Result:

PubMed: 42512751DOI: 10.3390/healthcare14142235

Mechanism Graph

Ergonomics training improves workplace posture and movement patterns
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Exercise may strengthen muscles and reduce strain
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Combined intervention could theoretically enhance recovery
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Result: No statistically significant additive benefit observed

Limitations

  • ⚠Small sample size (n=52) may have limited power to detect small effects
  • ⚠Single-centre design and all-male sample limit generalizability
  • ⚠12-week duration may be insufficient to observe long-term benefits of exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the exercise group show any trend toward better outcomes?▼

Yes, the exercise arm showed numerically greater improvements in pain, fatigue, and symptom burden, and a higher proportion achieved ≥30% pain relief (96% vs. 77%), but these differences were not statistically significant (p=0.099).

What was the primary outcome measured in this study?▼

The primary outcome was pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

How long did the intervention last?▼

The intervention lasted 12 weeks.

Was sleep quality assessed in this trial?▼

Yes, sleep quality was measured as a secondary outcome using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and both groups showed significant improvement from baseline.

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References

  1. 1.Şevgin Ö, Yıldız BB, Safran E. "Ergonomics and Exercise Training as a Basic Intervention for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.." Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. PMID: 42512751 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare14142235
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.