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 test of two training interventions to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity.
We investigated , on behalf of a large electronics manufacturer , two types of worker training interventions  for their efficacy in preventing unnecessary muscle tension and the symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders . The first intervention , Muscle Learning Therapy ( MLT ) , used electromyographic ( sEMG ) feedback and operant conditioning to decrease muscle tension during complex work tasks . The second intervention used adult learning and cognitive behavioral techniques in small group discussion to advance the worker 's capabilities for symptom and stress management and problem-solving . Workers were r and omly assigned to a control group or one of the two treatment conditions . Prior to training , baseline data were collected using symptom diaries and sEMG recordings of the trapezius and forearm muscles of the left and right arms . The training interventions were conducted for 6 weeks with reinforcement training provided at 18 and 32 weeks post-baseline . Follow-up data were collected after the initial 6-week training period and at 32 weeks , prior to the reinforcement training . Symptom outcomes demonstrated significant differences at 6 weeks , increasing in severity for the control group and declining modestly for the educational group , with little change for the MLT group . These differences were not maintained at further follow-up . The MLT group was consistently effective in reducing muscle tension in the trapezius areas after 6 and 32 weeks , and was partially effective for the forearms . Further testing is recommended of these training interventions , especially with the inclusion of strategic , periodic reinforcement of the worker 's learning
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 .