We found low- quality evidence that different work-break frequencies may have no effect on participant-reported musculoskeletal pain , discomfort and fatigue .
For productivity and work performance , evidence was of very low- quality that different work-break frequencies may have a positive effect .
For different types of break , there may be no effect on participant-reported musculoskeletal pain , discomfort and fatigue according to low- quality evidence .
Furthermore , work-break interventions should be reconsidered , taking into account worker population s other than office workers , and taking into account the possibility of combining work-break intervention with other interventions such as ergonomic training or counselling , which may may possibly have an effect on musculoskeletal outcomes and work performance
BACKGROUND Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a group of musculoskeletal disorders that comprise one of the most common disorders related to occupational sick leave worldwide .
Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 21 % to 28 % of work absenteeism days in 2017/2018 in the Netherl and s , Germany and the UK .
There are several interventions that may be effective in tackling the high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers , such as physical , cognitive and organisational interventions .
In this review , we will focus on work breaks as a measure of primary prevention , which are a type of organisational intervention .
OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness of different work-break schedules for preventing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders in healthy workers , when compared to conventional or alternate work-break schedules .
Effect of rest on physicians’ performance in an emergency department, objectified by electroencephalographic analyses and psychometric tests*
Objective The aim of the field study was to objectify physicians ’ vigilance , well-being , and cognitive performance in the course of 24-hr shifts with and without afternoon rest . Subjects , Setting , and Design Eleven residents ( four women , seven men ; age , 33.5 ± 4.7 yrs ) were observed when doing two regular 24-hr shifts  at the emergency department ( r and omized crossover design ): one without rest , the other with a period of rest in the early afternoon ( duration , 2:31 ± 1:04 hrs ) and the opportunity of having a nap ( duration , 1:07 ± 0:26 hrs , n = 6 ) . Electroencephalography and psychometric tests were carried out at 8 am and at midnight . Measurements Measurements included subjective perception of workload , stress , and sleeping behavior ; computer-analyzed electroencephalography ; adjective checklist ( Eigenschaftswörterliste 60 S , a self-rating scale ) ; complex reaction time test ; Pauli test ( number of calculations during 3 mins ) ; and numerical memory test . Results Electroencephalographic analyses showed a significant decrease in alpha power and a significant increase in beta power in the evening as compared with the morning on both days . The nocturnal increase observed in delta activity was significantly less pronounced in duties with rest than in duties without rest . Physicians felt deactivated at night . The Eigenschaftswörterliste 60 S indicated deactivation at night and a rest-induced activation in the subgroup that had taken the opportunity to sleep in the afternoon . Psychometric tests did not show any significant differences , neither between performance in the morning and evening nor between results with and without rest . Conclusion As expected , electroencephalographic recordings showed nocturnal deactivation and a vigilance-promoting effect of the afternoon rest . These objective findings were in accordance with the results derived from self-rating scales . On the other h and , in short-lasting psychometric tests , performance was found unchanged after 16 hrs of routine work . In further studies , a discrimination between resting periods with and without sleep will be important
We found low- quality evidence that different work-break frequencies may have no effect on participant-reported musculoskeletal pain , discomfort and fatigue .
For productivity and work performance , evidence was of very low- quality that different work-break frequencies may have a positive effect .
For different types of break , there may be no effect on participant-reported musculoskeletal pain , discomfort and fatigue according to low- quality evidence .
Furthermore , work-break interventions should be reconsidered , taking into account worker population s other than office workers , and taking into account the possibility of combining work-break intervention with other interventions such as ergonomic training or counselling , which may may possibly have an effect on musculoskeletal outcomes and work performance
BACKGROUND Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a group of musculoskeletal disorders that comprise one of the most common disorders related to occupational sick leave worldwide .
Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 21 % to 28 % of work absenteeism days in 2017/2018 in the Netherl and s , Germany and the UK .
There are several interventions that may be effective in tackling the high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers , such as physical , cognitive and organisational interventions .
In this review , we will focus on work breaks as a measure of primary prevention , which are a type of organisational intervention .
OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness of different work-break schedules for preventing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders in healthy workers , when compared to conventional or alternate work-break schedules .