Corning Corporation back injury prevention project: the effects of an exercise program on self-reported back discomfort

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1994-05-05
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Virginia Tech
Abstract

A back injury prevention program was developed, implemented and evaluated for employees at Corning Corporation. Subjects included 38 manufacturing employees; 21 in the intervention group and 17 in the control group. The subjects included slightly more males (62%) than females (37%), significantly more whites (87%) than African Americans or other minorities (13%), and an average age of 30-39 years. The intervention involved frequent stretching exercises done throughout the 12 hour workday. A two-way ANOVA was used to access self-reported back discomfort reported by a questionnaire during pre- and post- intervention periods. Although no significant interactions between groups across time occurred, there was a decline in discomfort for both groups. A correlational analyses was used to study the relationship between participation in the stretching exercises and discomfort. The correlation coefficient for the frequency of discomfort variable reached significance and the region of discomfort approached statistical significance. Statistical significance was not evident for intensity, duration and level of discomfort variables. Except for the relationship between increased participation in the intervention program and a increased reduction in frequency of discomfort, statistical evidence is absent regarding the benefit of the intervention. However, other positive results support the possibility of program continuation.

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