Development and efficacy evaluation of a personalised self-care programme for reducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders among rubber farmers in Thailand

After 28 days of use, the PSCP was effective at reducing pain levels, decreasing pain regions, and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory molecules. This finding demonstrates that the PSCP could help alleviate work-related musculoskeletal pain among rubber farmers. The PSCP may be an appropriate intervention for alleviating pain.

Demographic data and details concerning the prevalence of pain regions were collected using a questionnaire adapted from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (IOC 1.00). The evidence gained from modified questionnaires and special tests was used to develop the PSCP. The PSCP was verified by three experts (IOC 1.00). Based on the questionnaires, only participants with a pain score of 3 or higher were recruited for the study. The PSCP's efficacy was evaluated by comparing the

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the efficacy of a personalised self-care programme (PSCP) for relieving pain caused by WMSDs among rubber farmers.

The results showed that farmers experienced the greatest discomfort in the lower back, followed by the shoulders, legs, and neck. Therefore, this PSCP was designed to alleviate work-related musculoskeletal pain in these body regions. A reduction in pain by two degrees was observed after 28 days of the PSCP (x‾<math><mrow><mover><mi>x</mi><mo>‾</mo></mover></mrow></math>before = 5.26, SD = 1.96, x‾<math><mrow><mover><mi>x</mi><mo>‾</mo></mover></mrow></math>after = 2.40, SD = 1.64, p < 0.001). Special tests confirmed that the number of pain regions were also decreased (x‾<math><mrow><mover><mi>x</mi><mo>‾</mo></mover></mrow></math>before = 0.089, SD = 0.067, x‾<math><mrow><mover><mi>x</mi><mo>‾</mo></mover></mrow></math>after = 0.016, SD = 0.030, p < 0.001). In addition, IL-10 levels increased (p ≤ 0.001) following the PSCP, whereas IL-6 levels remained unaltered. Conclusions: After 28 days of use, the PSCP was effective at reducing pain levels, decreasing pain regions, and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory molecules. This finding demonstrates that the PSCP could help alleviate work-related musculoskeletal pain among rubber farmers. The PSCP may be an appropriate intervention for alleviating pain.