Effectiveness of a Multi-Component Ergonomic Intervention on Musculoskeletal Outcomes in Office Workers in Abuja: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Multi-component ergonomic interventions combining workstation modification, postural training, and microbreak scheduling are among the most evidence-supported strategies for reducing musculoskeletal disorders in office workers. This quasi-experimental pre-post study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured multi-component ergonomic intervention on musculoskeletal health outcomes among office workers in a federal ministry in Abuja, North Central Nigeria. One hundred and eighty workers were allocated to intervention (n=90) and waitlist control (n=90) groups. The intervention comprised standardized workstation reconfiguration, a six-week ergonomic postural training program, and microbreak reminder software. Outcomes were measured at baseline, six weeks, and three months using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and the Short Form-36 physical functioning subscale. At three months, the intervention group demonstrated significant reductions in neck (43.2%), lower back (38.5%), and wrist discomfort (47.1%) compared to controls (p less than 0.05). Physical functioning scores improved by 18.6 percent in the intervention group. Workstation compliance assessment at three months showed 68.9 percent adherence to recommended configurations. Intention-to-treat analysis confirmed robust findings with minimal attrition effects. This study provides experimental evidence for ergonomic intervention effectiveness in Nigerian public sector settings and recommends systematic roll-out of multi-component ergonomic programs in federal ministry occupational health programs in Abuja. Keywords: ergonomic intervention, musculoskeletal disorders, office workers, quasi-experimental, Abuja.