Effects of an Online Organizational Intervention Targeting Managers in Nursing Homes on Caregivers’ Low Back Pain and Managers’ Work Engagement: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether an online organizational intervention targeting managers in nursing homes could promote occupational health activities and reduce caregivers' low back pain. METHODS: This 6-month, prospective cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted between January and July 2024. Nursing homes in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan were randomly assigned to an online program-intervention group (n=25) or an active control group (n=25). The intervention combined an original tool that comprised practical tips for the prevention of low back pain with a series of meetings delivered via an online meeting system. Caregivers' low back pain intensity was assessed as the primary outcome using a Numerical Rating Scale. Using the Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, managers' work engagement was evaluated as a secondary outcome. Linear mixed models were applied under the intention-to-treat and per-protocol frameworks. RESULTS: A total of 48 managers and 449 caregivers working in the facilities were included in the final analysis. Over the 6-month study period, no significant differences were observed between the intervention and active control groups in caregivers' low back pain intensity or managers' work engagement. Participation in the intervention among managers was moderate (61.1%), and only six managers attended all the intervention session (adherence rate: 25%). CONCLUSIONS: Online organizational interventions targeting nursing homes did not significantly improve caregivers' low back pain or work engagement. High job demands, suboptimal adherence, and constraints inherent in the videoconference system potentially attenuated the intervention's effects.Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000051939).