Volume 12, Issue 1 (6-2026)
J Sport Biomech 2026, 12(1): 36-50 |
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Ghasemi S, Shahrjerdi S, Kkalantari F. The Effect of Swedish Massage on Ergonomic Risk Factors and Occupational Range of Motion in Hairdressers with Musculoskeletal Disorders. J Sport Biomech 2026; 12 (1) :36-50
URL: http://biomechanics.iauh.ac.ir/article-1-426-en.html
URL: http://biomechanics.iauh.ac.ir/article-1-426-en.html
1- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering, Hamedan University of Technology, Hamedan, Iran.
2- Department of Sports Physiology and Pathology, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran.
2- Department of Sports Physiology and Pathology, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran.
Abstract: (179 Views)
Objective Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the leading causes of reduced productivity, diminished quality of life, and chronic disabilities in occupations involving repetitive movements and prolonged static postures. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a Swedish massage intervention on ergonomic risk factors and occupational range of motion in female hairdressers suffering from musculoskeletal disorders.
Methods This semi-experimental applied study employed a pre-test/post-test design with experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of 42 female hairdressers with musculoskeletal disorders in Arak city. Pain-related data were collected using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, while ergonomic risk factors were assessed via the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool. Occupational range of motion was measured using a goniometer. Participants were evaluated before and after a five-week Swedish massage intervention. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, variance homogeneity with Levene’s test, and between-group comparisons using independent t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests. Within-group comparisons were conducted using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests. All analyses were performed in SPSS version 25 at a significance level of P ≤ 0.05.
Results The results indicated a significant reduction in ergonomic risk scores in the experimental group (p ≤ 0.001) compared to the control group (p = 0.008). Occupational range of motion showed significant reduction across all six assessed regions in the experimental group (p ≤ 0.001) relative to the control group (p ≤ 0.011). Additionally, a significant between-group difference was observed in musculoskeletal disorder scores across all evaluated regions (p ≤ 0.033), with the experimental group showing a marked reduction compared to the control group.
Conclusion A Swedish massage intervention significantly influences ergonomic risk factors and occupational range of motion in female hairdressers with musculoskeletal disorders.
Methods This semi-experimental applied study employed a pre-test/post-test design with experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of 42 female hairdressers with musculoskeletal disorders in Arak city. Pain-related data were collected using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, while ergonomic risk factors were assessed via the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool. Occupational range of motion was measured using a goniometer. Participants were evaluated before and after a five-week Swedish massage intervention. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, variance homogeneity with Levene’s test, and between-group comparisons using independent t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests. Within-group comparisons were conducted using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests. All analyses were performed in SPSS version 25 at a significance level of P ≤ 0.05.
Results The results indicated a significant reduction in ergonomic risk scores in the experimental group (p ≤ 0.001) compared to the control group (p = 0.008). Occupational range of motion showed significant reduction across all six assessed regions in the experimental group (p ≤ 0.001) relative to the control group (p ≤ 0.011). Additionally, a significant between-group difference was observed in musculoskeletal disorder scores across all evaluated regions (p ≤ 0.033), with the experimental group showing a marked reduction compared to the control group.
Conclusion A Swedish massage intervention significantly influences ergonomic risk factors and occupational range of motion in female hairdressers with musculoskeletal disorders.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/08/17 | Accepted: 2025/10/22 | Published: 2025/10/23
Received: 2025/08/17 | Accepted: 2025/10/22 | Published: 2025/10/23
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Journal of Sport Biomechanics
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