Combination of Stretching and Acupressure as an Effort to Reduce the Incidence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Coconut Tappers

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of simple stretching movements and Body Space Medicine (BSM) acupressure in reducing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) among coconut tappers. A quasi-experimental design involved 68 participants who engaged in two 5-minute sessions of stretching and BSM acupressure, three times a week for four weeks. The incidence of WMSDs was assessed using the Nordic Body Map (NBM), which includes 28 questions. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Wilcoxon Test and Paired T-Test to compare pre- and post-intervention results between the intervention group (IG) and the control group (CG). The IG showed a significant reduction in WMSD incidence (P < 0.001), while the CG exhibited no significant difference (p > 0.001). Notably, significant differences were observed between the IG and CG regarding WMSD incidence (P = 0.000 for IG; p = 0.943 for CG). The IG experienced marked reductions in WMSDs across all body parts, particularly in the right elbow (-11.8%), right forearm (-10.8%), right hand (-13.8%), left thigh (-11.7%), and left calf (-12.7%). These findings suggest that incorporating simple stretching and BSM acupressure into occupational health strategies can effectively reduce WMSDs among coconut tappers.