There was low- to very low- quality evidence that other interventions were not effective in reducing work-related upper limb and neck MSDs in adults .
We found moderate- quality evidence to suggest that the use of arm support with alternative mouse may reduce the incidence of neck/shoulder MSDs , but not right upper limb MSDs .
Moreover , we found moderate- quality evidence to suggest that the incidence of neck/shoulder and right upper limb MSDs is not reduced when comparing alternative and conventional mouse with and without arm support .
However , given there were multiple comparisons made involving a number of interventions and outcomes , high- quality evidence is needed to determine the effectiveness of these interventions clearly .
While we found very-low- to low- quality evidence to suggest that other ergonomic interventions do not prevent work-related MSDs of the upper limb and neck , this was limited by the paucity and heterogeneity of available studies .
BACKGROUND Work-related upper limb and neck musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) are one of the most common occupational disorders around the world .
Although ergonomic design and training are likely to reduce the risk of workers developing work-related upper limb and neck MSDs , the evidence is unclear .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of workplace ergonomic design or training interventions , or both , for the prevention of work-related upper limb and neck MSDs in adults .
A randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of two workstation interventions on upper body pain and incident musculoskeletal disorders among computer operators
Background : Call centre work with computers is associated with increased rates of upper body pain and musculoskeletal disorders . Methods : This one year , r and omised controlled intervention trial evaluated the effects of a wide forearm support surface and a trackball on upper body pain severity and incident musculoskeletal disorders among 182 call centre operators at a large healthcare company . Participants were r and omised to receive ( 1  ) ergonomics training only , ( 2 ) training plus a trackball , ( 3 ) training plus a forearm support , or ( 4 ) training plus a trackball and forearm support . Outcome measures were weekly pain severity scores and diagnosis of incident musculoskeletal disorder in the upper extremities or the neck/shoulder region based on physical examination performed by a physician blinded to intervention . Analyses using Cox proportional hazard models and linear regression models adjusted for demographic factors , baseline pain levels , and psychosocial job factors . Results : Post-intervention , 63 participants were diagnosed with one or more incident musculoskeletal disorders  . Hazard rate ratios showed a protective effect of the armboard for neck/shoulder disorders ( HR = 0.49 , 95 % CI 0.24 to 0.97 ) after adjusting for baseline pain levels and demographic and psychosocial factors . The armboard also significantly reduced neck/shoulder pain ( p = 0.01 ) and right upper extremity pain ( p = 0.002 ) in comparison to the control group . A return-on-investment model predicted a full return of armboard and installation costs within 10.6 months . Conclusion : Providing a large forearm support combined with ergonomic training is an effective intervention to prevent upper body musculoskeletal disorders and reduce upper body pain associated with computer work among call centre employees
There was low- to very low- quality evidence that other interventions were not effective in reducing work-related upper limb and neck MSDs in adults .
We found moderate- quality evidence to suggest that the use of arm support with alternative mouse may reduce the incidence of neck/shoulder MSDs , but not right upper limb MSDs .
Moreover , we found moderate- quality evidence to suggest that the incidence of neck/shoulder and right upper limb MSDs is not reduced when comparing alternative and conventional mouse with and without arm support .
However , given there were multiple comparisons made involving a number of interventions and outcomes , high- quality evidence is needed to determine the effectiveness of these interventions clearly .
While we found very-low- to low- quality evidence to suggest that other ergonomic interventions do not prevent work-related MSDs of the upper limb and neck , this was limited by the paucity and heterogeneity of available studies .
BACKGROUND Work-related upper limb and neck musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) are one of the most common occupational disorders around the world .
Although ergonomic design and training are likely to reduce the risk of workers developing work-related upper limb and neck MSDs , the evidence is unclear .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of workplace ergonomic design or training interventions , or both , for the prevention of work-related upper limb and neck MSDs in adults .