Occupationally Oriented Medical Rehabilitation and Hairdressers' Work Techniques--A one-and-a-half-year follow-up.

This study examined changes in work techniques and musculoskeletal symptoms after occupationally oriented medical rehabilitation arranged for 21 hairdressers who were experiencing neck-shoulder or back pain but were still able to work. OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analysing System) analyses of working postures and questionnaire data were obtained at the beginning of the courses and one and a half years later. The participants worked with their back bent and twisted or their arms at or over shoulder level more seldom (p <.0001) at the end of the follow-up than at the beginning of the rehabilitation. Subjective work-related physical and mental strain had decreased by 45.4% (p <.001) and 27.1% (p <.05), respectively, and subjective neck and back pain by 40.0% (p <.01) and 45.3% (p <.01), respectively. This study suggests that occupationally oriented medical rehabilitation can have significant and long-lasting effects on the rehabilitee's work techniques and subjective well-being.