Role of workplace interventions to prevent upper extremity MSDs: a systematic review

Reasons for the study

Injuries to the upper extremity are common among workers, accounting for about 30 per cent of lost-time claims in Ontario in 2006. The upper extremity includes the neck, shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. This systematic review looked at the effectiveness of interventions to prevent upper extremity disorders and traumatic injuries.

Progress

This review, completed in 2008, found moderate evidence that arm supports were beneficial in protecting upper extremity health. They also found that several interventions did not work. There was strong evidence that workstation adjustments were not effective if they were done alone — but the combination of adjustments and ergonomic training did seem to convey a benefit. There was also moderate evidence that biofeedback training and job stress management training had no effect on protecting upper extremity health. (Please note that this systematic review was updated in 2016. See project titled "Effective workplace interventions to prevent upper extremity disorders: a systematic review update.")