Physical Therapist-Led Initiatives for the Prevention and Improvement of Chronic Pain Among Workers: A Case Study of Hosting Workshops Based on Survey Results in a Corporate Setting

Industrial physical therapy (IPT) interventions by physical therapists can enhance labor productivity. However, in Japan, there is a scarcity of case studies involving corporate visits, questionnaire-based data, and insights into corporate demands. Addressing this gap is vital for improving presenteeism related to chronic pain and increasing employees’ health literacy, thereby advancing corporate health management. This case study evaluates the effectiveness of a workshop aimed at preventing and reducing chronic pain among employees in the Development Department of Company A, an information technology (IT) firm. The research employed pre- and post-survey questionnaires, workshop interventions, and meetings with corporate management to assess the current state of musculoskeletal chronic pain and productivity losses and to verify the intervention’s effectiveness. Approximately 50 participants attended the workshop in person, while around 30 participated online, totaling 80 attendees. A total of 56 (51 men and 5 women) individuals responded to the pre-workshop questionnaire, and 28 responded to the post-workshop questionnaire. The age distribution of the 56 pre-survey respondents was as follows: 9 in their twenties, 13 in their thirties, 22 in their forties, and 12 aged 50 and older. Preliminary survey results showed that 55.4% of participants experienced chronic pain in at least one body part. The average presenteeism value was 82.8% (standard deviation = 16.8). It was also found that literacy regarding appropriate pain management strategies was low. An independent t -test comparing literacy scores based on the presence or absence of pain showed no significant differences ( p = 0.34). Additionally, a one-way ANOVA conducted to examine differences across four age groups revealed no significant differences (F = 0.934, p = 0.431). Results from the post-workshop questionnaires indicated that more than 70% of the employees experienced an increase in understanding and satisfaction, with positive feedback on the improvement of knowledge about chronic pain mechanisms and posture. However, there were also requests for more interactive communication and a desire to learn more about specific care methods, suggesting the need to provide interventions tailored to appropriate stages of preventive medicine.