Workplace-based integrative care for firefighters: real-world evidence from a visiting healthcare program
In brief
Firefighters' pain scores fell from 4 to 2 with station-based care
In a review of 40 firefighters receiving acupuncture and manual therapy at Seoul fire stations, median pain scores dropped from 4 to 2, and 97.5% met the threshold for meaningful improvement. A separate survey found high satisfaction and broad support for the service. With no comparison group, the study cannot show that care caused the pain reduction.
- Journal
- Frontiers in public health (Q1)
- Published
- 15 September 2026
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- Inae Youn, Jisu Ha, Sunjoong Kim, Sohyeon Ryu, Juchul Kim, Ji Hun Wi, et al.
- PMID
- 42812420
- DOI
- 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1880013
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (paper of the day, 5 October 2026): Workplace‑based integrative care (acupuncture, manual therapy) reduces firefighter pain
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Firefighters, as essential workers, face substantial barriers to healthcare access due to shift work, unpredictable schedules, and physically demanding duties. Workplace-based healthcare delivery models have emerged as a potential strategy to address these access gaps, yet real-world evidence remains limited. METHODS: This study evaluated a workplace-based visiting healthcare program implemented at fire stations in Seoul, Korea, between September 2023 and February 2024. A retrospective chart review assessed changes in pain intensity among firefighters receiving integrative care, including acupuncture and Chuna manual therapy, while a cross-sectional survey examined user satisfaction, perceived need, and acceptability of the program. RESULTS: Forty firefighters were included in the clinical evaluation, showing significant reductions in pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, median [IQR]: 4.0 [4.0-6.0] to 2.0 [1.0-2.0]; Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p < 0.001), with 97.5% achieving the minimal clinically important difference. The intervention was well-tolerated, with only minor and transient adverse events reported. Survey responses from 133 participants indicated high satisfaction (median 4 out of 5 for all items) and strong willingness to recommend the service (88.0%). Most respondents recognized the need for such services (92.0%) and supported their integration into institutional healthcare systems (84.0%). CONCLUSION: Workplace-based integrative care may represent a feasible and acceptable model to improve healthcare access among shift-based essential workers. These findings provide real-world evidence supporting workplace-based healthcare delivery models for shift-based essential workers.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.