Role of workplace interventions to prevent upper extremity MSDs: a systematic review
NOW RECRUITING
We’re looking for managers and supervisors who have supported workers with chronic diseases to take part in this study
If you're a manager or supervisor with experience accommodating employees with chronic physical or mental health conditions, we’d like to talk to you about the challenges you have experienced in supporting these employees while also balancing privacy needs. Your participation would consist of a confidential phone interview of about 30 to 40 minutes.
If interested, please email jbowring@iwh.on.ca or call 1-855-884-1416.
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. This systematic review was updated in 2016.
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.
Related research summaries
Related scientific publications
Project status
Completed