Introduction:Musculoskeletal disorders are the important problems in the factories. Many studies suggest management for minimizing the magnitude of the problems. The purposes of this study were to compare physical fitness, prevalence of pain and pain severity after receiving participatory ergonomic programs.Method:The quasi-experiment was conducted in the cardboard box factory in Hat Yai,Songkhla. Thirty subjects participated in this participatory action research. Results and discussion:A statistically significant increase in lower back range of motion and the leg and back strength were found (p<0.05). The prevalence of pain and pain severity after the program were decreased (p<0.05).Therefore this ergonomic program which stemmed from the ergonomic participation and the consensus of all the personnel involved could be used to reduce musculoskeletal disorder. Conclusion:The effectiveness of the ergonomic program from this study could be used as a good example for ergonomic improvement in other factories.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, Cervicalpain, Upper back pain, Low back pain, Participatory action research, Cardboard box factory, Quasi-experiment.