MSD prevention
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) refer to injuries of the muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues, including back, neck, shoulder and wrist pain. They are also known as repetitive strain injuries and cumulative trauma disorders. IWH conducts a wide range of research on MSDs—exploring how often they occur, what work-related factors contribute to them, their treatment and functional assessment, and the system- and workplace-level prevention and return-to-work programs that can help prevent and manage them.
Featured
Impact case study
Construction safety org adapts IWH research messages for tradesworker audience
A key program from Construction Health and Safety New Zealand—developed using IWH research—takes a participatory ergonomics approach to better prevent and manage musculoskeletal injuries among construction workers.
Published: February 28, 2024
Tools and guides
Implementing MSI prevention programs: Advice from workplaces for workplaces
Musculoskeletal injuries are a substantial burden to society and to workplaces worldwide. The known occupational risk factors are many and prevention requires creative solutions. This resource offers MSI prevention programs and practices, drawn from research and practice evidence.
Published: February 10, 2021
Sharing Best Evidence
Prevention programs for health-care workers
Health-care workers face a high risk of developing injuries to their muscles, tendons or other soft-tissues, including back pain. These injuries are also known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). IWH conducted a systematic review to summarize the existing scientific literature on the effectiveness of MSD prevention programs for health-care workers.
Published: January 2007
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Interventions in health-care settings to protect musculoskeletal health: a systematic review
Health-care workers face a high risk of developing injuries to their muscles, tendons or other soft-tissues, including back pain. Many prevention initiatives have been used to try to prevent these musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) from occurring in health-care workers. However, little is known about the effectiveness of these programs. This report summarizes a systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of MSD prevention programs for health-care workers.
Published: December 2006
At Work article
At Work article
What works to reduce the burden of workplace MSDs?
The burden of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is significant for workers, employees and society at large. What do we know about what works in reducing this burden? Dr. Barbara Silverstein tackled this question during the Institute for Work & Health’s (IWH’s) 2006 Alf Nachemson Lecture.
Published: November 2006
At Work article
At Work article
IWH research adds to body of knowledge on MSDs
It wasn’t always evident that changing a worker’s posture or reducing time on certain tasks could prevent painful soft-tissue disorders. Over the past two decades, these connections have been established through research. IWH has contributed significantly to this boody of knowledge.
Published: November 2006
At Work article
At Work article
Health, safety partners make MSD prevention a priority
Ontario’s workplace health and safety system is taking a big step forward in how it addresses musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It has recognized the need to make MSD prevention a priority for all system partners and all workplaces in Ontario.
Published: November 2006
At Work article
At Work article
Centre links MSD researchers from many disciplines
The number of researchers studying the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is limited. This is why one goal of the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) is to strengthen collaborations in this field.
Published: November 2006
Journal article
Journal article
Workplace interventions to prevent musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and disorders among computer users: a systematic review
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, September 2006
Sharing Best Evidence
Preventing MSDs among computer users: summary of a systematic review
This systematic review examines studies on the effects of workplace interventions on two of the most common health complaints among computer users: visual symptoms and upper-body musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Published: February 2006
Research Highlights
Research Highlights
Soft-tissue injuries are associated with increased health-care visits
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders may cost society more than currently believed, as injured workers experience symptoms both before their claims and after they return to work.
Published: January 2006
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Workplace interventions to prevent musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and disorders among computer users: a systematic review
The most common occupational health complaints among computer users are visual problems such as eye discomfort and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as pain in the neck and upper extremities. This report shares the findings of a systematic review to identify studies that evaluated the effects of workplace interventions on visual or upper extremity MSDs among computer users.
Published: January 2006