Extended Abstract
1.    Introduction
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are primarily caused by adopting poor postures, performing repetitive monotonous movements, chronic mechanical loading, and the lack of ergonomic principles in workplace environments (1). The profession of hairdressing, due to the static nature of its activities, repetitive upper limb movements, continuous neck flexion, and chronic pressure on muscles and joints, is considered a high-risk occupation for developing WMSDs. In recent years, massage therapy has attracted researchers' attention as an effective, cost-efficient, and safe method for reducing chronic pain and improving motor function. Among these, Swedish massage has gained a special place in rehabilitation interventions due to its scientific structure, use of standardized techniques, and feasibility of implementation in workplace settings (6). Evidence from recent studies indicates that multidimensional ergonomic interventions—including education, tool modification, and adjustment of work behaviors—are more effective in reducing pain indices and risk factors across various body regions compared to single-dimensional approaches. Despite extensive evidence in the general population, the effectiveness of Swedish massage in specific occupational groups such as hairdressers—especially with a focus on biomechanical and ergonomic indices—remains limited (9,10). Therefore, the present study, using multiple tools and a structured interventional design, investigates the effect of five weeks of Swedish massage on ergonomic indices and motor performance in hairdressers with WMSDs.
2.    Methods
The present study was conducted as a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test–post-test structure for two groups (experimental and control). The statistical population consisted of female hairdressers in Arak city who were suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Sampling was performed purposefully, and the sample size was determined using G*Power software based on an effect size of 0.80, a significance level of 0.05, and a test power of 0.80 for the independent t-test, resulting in a total of 42 participants (21 in each group) (11). Demographic information of the participants—including age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), work experience, and specialization within the hairdressing profession—was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Inclusion criteria consisted of female hairdressers working in hair services, aged between 25 and 35 years, with no history of limb surgery and free from skin diseases and rheumatic disorders. Exclusion criteria included the occurrence of skin problems or sudden surgery during the study and lack of consent to continue participation. Prior to the implementation phase, all participants were informed about the research process, execution conditions, potential risks, and their ethical rights. After receiving explanations, they signed the informed consent form. This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the code IRCT20230619058540N1 and ethical code IR.ARAKU.REC.1402.012. To assess ergonomic risk factors, the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) checklist was used. Musculoskeletal discomfort was evaluated using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). Joint range of motion in occupational activities was assessed using a goniometer. The intervention consisted of 10 sessions of Swedish massage over five weeks (two sessions per week). For data analysis, descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics including the Shapiro–Wilk test for normality, Levene’s test for homogeneity of variance, independent t-test or Mann–Whitney U test for between-group comparisons, and paired t-test or Wilcoxon test for within-group comparisons were used. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 25 at a significance level of P≤0.05.
3.    Results
According to the results presented in Table 1, significant between-group differences (p ≤ 0.001) were observed in the range of motion of the neck, trunk, knee, shoulder, forearm, and wrist. Specifically, the range of motion in the experimental group showed a significant reduction compared to the control group. Within-group comparisons also indicated a significant decrease in all motion ranges in the experimental group (p ≤ 0.001). 

4.    Discussion
According to the research objectives, the findings indicated that massage therapy, as a practical, safe, and feasible method in workplace settings, plays a significant role in promoting musculoskeletal health among hairdressers. Ten sessions of Swedish massage led to a statistically significant reduction in ergonomic indices among female hairdressers. This reduction reflects optimized movement patterns, correction of high-tension postures, and decreased mechanical load resulting from repetitive occupational activities (19). These findings are consistent with the results of studies by Kitzing (2015), Bradshaw (2011), and Hassan and Bayomai (2015) (21-23). Massage therapy resulted in reduced occupational range of motion in the neck, shoulder, forearm, wrist, trunk, and knee regions. Contrary to the common assumption of performance decline, this reduction indicates improved joint control, correction of stress-related movement patterns, and enhanced biomechanical coordination in repetitive work tasks. This outcome aligns with studies by Shahrokhi et al. (2020), Khorramizadeh (2020), and Saadatian et al. (2024) (25-27). Additionally, Hernandez et al. (2001) confirmed the effectiveness of massage therapy in reducing chronic low back pain and improving joint range of motion (24). The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders across twenty anatomical regions significantly decreased, indicating improved soft tissue function, reduced trigger points, and increased pain tolerance threshold among participants. These findings are in line with the studies of Hasson et al (2004) and the systematic review by Bervotes et al. (2015), which confirmed the effectiveness of massage in alleviating WMSD symptoms in physically demanding occupations (31,32).
The findings of this study, supported by scientific evidence and comparative research, demonstrated that massage therapy can be utilized as an effective, cost-efficient, and feasible intervention for reducing musculoskeletal disorders, correcting high-risk occupational postures, and promoting occupational health among hairdressers.

Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
All ethical considerations were fully observed in this study. Participants were informed about the research procedures in detail and provided written consent prior to participation. They were also assured of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. Furthermore, all personal information was kept strictly confidential and used solely for research purposes.
Funding
This research did not receive any grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors. 
Authors' contributions
All authors participated in the design, implementation, and writing of all parts of this research.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this article.