title: The effect of workplace intervention on pain and sickness absence caused by upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an ergonomic intervention on pain and sickness absence caused by upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized controlled study, subjects aged 18-60 years (N=177) seeking medical advice due to upper-extremity symptoms were included if their symptoms, or the exacerbation of symptoms, had started <30 days prior to the medical consultation and immediate sick leave was not required. Workplace ergonomic improvements were made in the intervention group. Data on symptoms and sickness absences were gathered during one-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain intensity, pain interference with work, leisure time, or sleep did not differ between the intervention and control group during the one-year follow-up. During the first three months of follow-up, the percentage of employees with sickness absence due to upper-extremity or other musculoskeletal disorders did not differ between the intervention (N=89) and control (N=84) group, but the total number of sickness absence days in the intervention group was about half of that in the control group (mean 6.2 versus 9.8 days for upper-extremity disorder and 6.0 versus 11.5 days for upper-extremity and other musculoskeletal disorders combined). During 4-12 months of follow-up, the percentage of employees with sickness absence due to upper-extremity disorder (10.1% versus 16.7%, P=0.20) or upper-extremity and other musculoskeletal disorders combined (20.2% versus 32.1%, P=0.07) was lower in the intervention than the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that an early ergonomic intervention reduces sickness absence due to upper-extremity or other musculoskeletal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FIN-00250, Helsinki, Finland. rahman.shiri@ttl.fi
authors.forename: Rahman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shiri
authors.forename: Kari-Pekka
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Martimo
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: Ritva
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ketola
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaila-Kangas
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liira
authors.forename: Jaro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karppinen
authors.forename: Eira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Viikari-Juntura
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018401:Sample Size; D018582:Sick Leave; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult