Chronic lower back pain in aquaculture clam farmers: adoption and feasibility of self-management strategies introduced using a rapid prototype participatory ergonomic approach

Abstract

Objectives. Lower back pain (LBP) is extremely prevalent in seafood harvesters who often have limited or no access to ergonomic consultation, occupational health support and rehabilitation services. This pilot study aimed to describe a participatory ergonomic approach and determine the feasibility and extent of adoption of self-management strategies in clam farmers with LBP. Methods. A rapid prototype participatory ergonomic approach was used to develop context-specific self-management strategies. Options to adjust lifting and repetitive stress were introduced using video clips, demonstrations and discussions in the workplace. Workers chose and implemented three strategies for 8 weeks with weekly reminders. Survey and qualitative data from focus groups were analyzed. Results. Team strategies were the most popular, but individual options were used more often. Strategies were considered feasible, acceptable and relatively easy to use. Strategies were implemented relatively consistently, and most improved productivity with decreased pain. Challenges for uptake included changing habit, culture and team dynamics. Conclusions. Participatory rapid prototyping provided a feasible and efficient option to introduce strategies for clam farmers with small teams, variable work processes and workloads, and time restrictions. Strategies were considered acceptable and easy to use, and most increased productivity. These methods show potential for future research.

KEYWORDS:

• lower back pain
• participatory ergonomics
• seafood harvesting
• action research
• feasibility
• acceptability
• clam farmers
• aquaculture

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge and thank Rose Cantwell and the Cedar Key Aquaculture Association for assistance with recruitment. This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics approval and trial registration

This study was approved by the University of Florida (IRB201702245) and registered as a Clinical Trial (NCT03524378).

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.1935543

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Cooperative Agreement [grant number 6 U54OH011230-05-01]; University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute, supported in part by the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences [grant number # UL1TR001427] for the Redcap survey software – NCATS [grant number # ULI TR0000064].