Document Detail


Systematic review of the role of occupational health and safety interventions in the prevention of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms, signs, disorders, injuries, claims and lost time.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19885644     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the most effective occupational health and safety (OHS) interventions to reduce upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and injuries. METHODS: A systematic review used a best evidence synthesis approach to address the question: "do occupational health and safety interventions have an effect on upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms, signs, disorders, injuries, claims and lost time?" RESULTS: The search identified 36 studies of sufficient methodological quality to be included in data extraction and evidence synthesis. Overall, a mixed level of evidence was found for OHS interventions. Levels of evidence for interventions associated with positive effects were: Moderate evidence for arm supports; and Limited evidence for ergonomics training plus workstation adjustments, new chair and rest breaks. Levels of evidence for interventions associated with "no effect" were: Strong evidence for workstation adjustment alone; Moderate evidence for biofeedback training and job stress management training; and Limited evidence for cognitive behavioral training. No interventions were associated with "negative effects". CONCLUSION: It is difficult to make strong evidenced-based recommendations about what practitioners should do to prevent or manage upper extremity MSDs. There is a paucity of high quality OHS interventions evaluating upper extremity MSDs and none focused on traumatic injury outcomes or workplace mandated pre-placement screening exams. We recommend that worksites not engage in OHS activities that include only workstation adjustments. However, when combined with ergonomics training, there is limited evidence that workstation adjustments are beneficial. A practice to consider is using arm supports to reduce upper extremity MSDs.
Authors:
Carol A Kennedy; Benjamin C Amick; Jack T Dennerlein; Shelley Brewer; Starly Catli; Renee Williams; Consol Serra; Fred Gerr; Emma Irvin; Quenby Mahood; Al Franzblau; Dwayne Van Eerd; Bradley Evanoff; David Rempel
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of occupational rehabilitation     Volume:  20     ISSN:  1573-3688     ISO Abbreviation:  J Occup Rehabil     Publication Date:  2010 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-06-18     Completed Date:  2010-09-22     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9202814     Medline TA:  J Occup Rehabil     Country:  Netherlands    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  127-62     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
The Institute for Work & Health, 481 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ckennedy@iwh.on.ca
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Humans
Musculoskeletal Diseases / prevention & control*
Occupational Diseases / prevention & control*
Occupational Health*
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Upper Extremity*
Workers' Compensation
Workplace
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
T42 OH008421/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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