title: Effectiveness of workplace interventions in the prevention of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and symptoms: an update of the evidence.
abstract: The burden of disabling musculoskeletal pain and injuries (musculoskeletal disorders, MSDs) arising from work-related causes in many workplaces remains substantial. There is little consensus on the most appropriate interventions for MSDs. Our objective was to update a systematic review of workplace-based interventions for preventing and managing upper extremity MSD (UEMSD). We followed a systematic review process developed by the Institute for Work & Health and an adapted best evidence synthesis. 6 electronic databases were searched (January 2008 until April 2013 inclusive) yielding 9909 non-duplicate references. 26 high-quality and medium-quality studies relevant to our research question were combined with 35 from the original review to synthesise the evidence on 30 different intervention categories. There was strong evidence for one intervention category, resistance training, leading to the recommendation: Implementing a workplace-based resistance training exercise programme can help prevent and manage UEMSD and symptoms. The synthesis also revealed moderate evidence for stretching programmes, mouse use feedback and forearm supports in preventing UEMSD or symptoms. There was also moderate evidence for no benefit for EMG biofeedback, job stress management training, and office workstation adjustment for UEMSD and symptoms. Messages are proposed for both these and other intervention categories.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Eerd
authors.affiliation: Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Munhall
authors.affiliation: Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Irvin
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Richmond, California, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rempel
authors.affiliation: CB&I, Inc, The Woodlands, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.affiliation: Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van der Beek
authors.affiliation: Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Department of Physical Therapy, Movement & Rehabilitation Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Dennerlein
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Institute for Health Policy, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tullar
authors.affiliation: Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skivington
authors.affiliation: CB&I, Inc, The Woodlands, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pinion
authors.affiliation: Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Florida International University, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Miami, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amick
mesh_terms: D006804:Ergonomics; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D034941:Upper Extremity; D014937:Work; D017132:Workplace
keywords: Prevention; Review; Upper Extremity; Workplace