None of the ergonomic interventions was more beneficial for any outcome measures when compared with another treatment or with no treatment or with placebo .
Behavioural interventions had inconsistent effects on pain and disability , with some subgroups showing benefit and others showing no significant improvement when compared with no treatment , minor intervention controls or other behavioural interventions .In the eight studies that evaluated various other interventions , there was no evidence of a clear beneficial effect of any of the interventions provided .
We found very low- quality evidence indicating that pain , recovery , disability and sick leave are similar after exercises when compared with no treatment , with minor intervention controls or with exercises provided as additional treatment to people with work-related complaints of the arm , neck or shoulder .
Low- quality evidence also showed that ergonomic interventions did not decrease pain at short-term follow-up but did decrease pain at long-term follow-up .
There was no evidence of an effect on other outcomes .
For behavioural and other interventions , there was no evidence of a consistent effect on any of the outcomes .
BACKGROUND Work-related upper limb disorder ( WRULD ) , repetitive strain injury ( RSI ) , occupational overuse syndrome ( OOS ) and work-related complaints of the arm , neck or shoulder ( CANS ) are the most frequently used umbrella terms for disorders that develop as a result of repetitive movements , awkward postures and impact of external forces such as those associated with operating vibrating tools .
Work-related CANS , which is the term we use in this review , severely hampers the working population .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of conservative interventions for work-related complaints of the arm , neck or shoulder ( CANS ) in adults on pain , function and work-related outcomes .
Supplementary breaks and stretching exercises for data entry operators: a follow-up field study.
BACKGROUND This study exp and ed previous NIOSH-IRS research examining the effects of rest breaks and stretching exercises on symptoms and performance in data -entry workers . METHODS All workers spent 4 weeks with conventional breaks ( two 15 min breaks per day ) and 4 weeks with supplementary breaks ( two 15 min breaks plus four 5 min breaks per day ) . One-half were assigned at r and om to a group instructed to perform brief stretching exercises during breaks . The remainder comprised the " no stretching " ( control ) group . RESULTS 51 workers ( stretch group n = 21 ; no stretch group n = 30 ) completed the study symptom question naires . Discomfort and eyestrain were significantly lower with supplementary breaks , and supplementary breaks attenuated accumulation of discomfort and eyestrain during work sessions . Data -entry speed was significantly faster with supplementary breaks so that work output was maintained , despite replacing 20 min of work time with break time . In the stretch group , workers reported  stretching  during only 25 % of conventional breaks and 39 % of supplementary breaks , and no significant effects of stretching on discomfort or performance were observed . CONCLUSIONS These results provide further converging evidence that supplementary breaks reliably minimize discomfort and eyestrain without impairing productivity . Low compliance in performing stretches prevented valid assessment of stretching effects . Further research on stretching exercises and exercise compliance is warranted
None of the ergonomic interventions was more beneficial for any outcome measures when compared with another treatment or with no treatment or with placebo .
Behavioural interventions had inconsistent effects on pain and disability , with some subgroups showing benefit and others showing no significant improvement when compared with no treatment , minor intervention controls or other behavioural interventions .In the eight studies that evaluated various other interventions , there was no evidence of a clear beneficial effect of any of the interventions provided .
We found very low- quality evidence indicating that pain , recovery , disability and sick leave are similar after exercises when compared with no treatment , with minor intervention controls or with exercises provided as additional treatment to people with work-related complaints of the arm , neck or shoulder .
Low- quality evidence also showed that ergonomic interventions did not decrease pain at short-term follow-up but did decrease pain at long-term follow-up .
There was no evidence of an effect on other outcomes .
For behavioural and other interventions , there was no evidence of a consistent effect on any of the outcomes .
BACKGROUND Work-related upper limb disorder ( WRULD ) , repetitive strain injury ( RSI ) , occupational overuse syndrome ( OOS ) and work-related complaints of the arm , neck or shoulder ( CANS ) are the most frequently used umbrella terms for disorders that develop as a result of repetitive movements , awkward postures and impact of external forces such as those associated with operating vibrating tools .
Work-related CANS , which is the term we use in this review , severely hampers the working population .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of conservative interventions for work-related complaints of the arm , neck or shoulder ( CANS ) in adults on pain , function and work-related outcomes .