The Effectiveness of an Integrated Mind/ Body Program to Improve Musculoskeletal Health & Psychological Resilience.

Overview: The Wise Worker program is a four week musculoskeletal health and resilience program designed to prevent injuries, reduce stress and improve psychological wellbeing. The curriculum is designed to teach participants how to integrate and apply mindfulness into their everyday lives, as well as how they can protect themselves from pain and injuries at home and in the workplace. Embedded within the context of Mind/Body and Integrative Medicine, the program teaches evidence-based practices and tools to assist with self-regulation, as well as workplace morale. Practical guided instruction from the facilitator assists with improving flexibility, reducing pain, increasing blood flow and circulation, promoting relaxation and improving overall wellbeing.

Methods: We explored the impact of self-awareness, goal setting, health screening, education and practical exercises on clinical health outcomes. We determined the impact of four weeks of training on blood pressure, flexibility, core strength, hydration, metabolic age, stress levels, sleep and self-reported feelings of wellbeing. Mental health and personal injury data was collected from the participant’s pre and post intervention, as well as at the completion of the program and one month post program.

Results: The Wise Worker program showed noticeable improvements in core strength, hamstring flexibility, hydration and metabolic age, as well as large reductions in resting systolic blood pressure scores. A number of personal goals were achieved throughout the four week program and positive health behaviours were cultivated. Self-reported data, as well as written testimonials, revealed numerous benefits ranging from increased self-awareness, better team cohesion, ability to be more mindful at home and at work, improved coping ability, increased ability to protect from injuries, as well reduced stress levels.