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 .
The effect of workplace intervention on pain and sickness absence caused by upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an ergonomic intervention on pain and sickness absence caused by upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders . METHODS In this r and omized controlled study , subjects aged 18 - 60 years ( N=177 ) seeking medical advice due to upper-extremity symptoms were included if their symptoms , or the exacerbation of symptoms , had started < 30 days prior to the medical consultation and immediate sick leave was not required .  Workplace ergonomic improvements were made in the intervention group . Data on symptoms and sickness absences were gathered during one-year follow-up . RESULTS Pain intensity , pain interference with work , leisure time , or sleep did not differ between the intervention and control group during the one-year follow-up . During the first three months of follow-up , the percentage of employees with sickness absence due to upper-extremity or other musculoskeletal disorders did not differ between the intervention ( N=89 ) and control ( N=84 ) group , but the total number of sickness absence days in the intervention group was about half of that in the control group ( mean 6.2 versus 9.8 days for upper-extremity disorder and 6.0 versus 11.5 days for upper-extremity and other musculoskeletal disorders combined ) . During 4 - 12 months of follow-up , the percentage of employees with sickness absence due to upper-extremity disorder ( 10.1 % versus 16.7 % , P=0.20 ) or upper-extremity and other musculoskeletal disorders combined ( 20.2 % versus 32.1 % , P=0.07 ) was lower in the intervention than the control group . CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that an early ergonomic intervention reduces sickness absence due to upper-extremity or other musculoskeletal disorders
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 .