Application of Physiological Ergonomics in Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Office Workers in the Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja

Musculoskeletal disorders represent a leading cause of occupational disability among sedentary office workers globally, with growing relevance in Nigerian financial institutions. This study evaluated the application of physiological ergonomic principles in reducing musculoskeletal disorder prevalence among office workers at the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters in Abuja, North Central Nigeria. A quasi-experimental design was used, engaging 100 employees who underwent a structured twelve-week ergonomic intervention including workstation adjustment, posture training, and scheduled movement breaks. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was administered pre- and post-intervention. Postural assessment was conducted using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment tool. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were applied. Results showed significant reductions in reported musculoskeletal discomfort at the neck, upper back, and lower back regions following the intervention. Postural risk scores improved significantly across all assessed regions. Employee productivity self-ratings improved post-intervention. The study concludes that physiological ergonomic interventions significantly reduce musculoskeletal burden in office workers at a major Nigerian financial institution. Institutionalised ergonomic standards and periodic physiological wellness assessments are recommended for large corporate organisations in Abuja. Keywords: musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics, office workers, posture, Central Bank Nigeria.