There was limited evidence that computer keyboards with altered force displacement characteristics or altered geometry were effective in reducing carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms .
There was limited , but high quality , evidence that multi-disciplinary rehabilitation for non-specific musculoskeletal arm pain was beneficial for those workers absent from work for at least four weeks .
In adults with tenosynovitis there was limited evidence that modified computer keyboards were effective in reducing symptoms .
There was a lack of high quality evidence to inform workplace management of lateral epicondylitis .
BACKGROUND Upper limb pain is common among working-aged adults and a frequent cause of absenteeism .
AIMS To systematic ally review the evidence for workplace interventions in four common upper limb disorders .
Effects of an active ergonomics training program on risk exposure, worker beliefs, and symptoms in computer users.
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an active ergonomics training ( AET ) program in computer users . Two constructs from the social-cognitive theory were adopted to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the proximal markers of behavior change . METHOD Eighty-seven symptomatic and asymptomatic employees who worked at a computer for a minimum of 10 hours per week took part in a prospect i ve r and omized controlled study . Subjects participated in a six-hour training intervention at their workplace . Key elements of the AET intervention were skill development in workstation analysis , active participation , and implementation of multiple prevention strategies . RESULTS After receiving AET , risk factor exposure was significantly reduced for participants at higher risk [ F(1,82 ) = 6.42 , p < 0.01 ] . Significant increases in knowledge [ F(1,74 ) = 8.39 , p < 0.01 ] , self-efficacy [ F(1,73 ) = 6.95 , p < 0.01 ] , and outcome expectations [ F(1,75 ) = 8.75 , p < 0.01 ] were found in the intervention group . When the participants were stratified according to the presence of symptoms at baseline , the group with pain that received the AET intervention had significantly less upper back pain intensity ( z = -2.03 , p < 0.05 ) , pain frequency ( z = -2.70 , p < 0.01 ) , and pain duration ( z = -3.25 , p < 0.01 ) post-intervention than the control group with pain . CONCLUSION Results from this study provide evidence that participative training in workstation ergonomics can improve work postures , work practice s , risk factor exposure , and pain
There was limited evidence that computer keyboards with altered force displacement characteristics or altered geometry were effective in reducing carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms .
There was limited , but high quality , evidence that multi-disciplinary rehabilitation for non-specific musculoskeletal arm pain was beneficial for those workers absent from work for at least four weeks .
In adults with tenosynovitis there was limited evidence that modified computer keyboards were effective in reducing symptoms .
There was a lack of high quality evidence to inform workplace management of lateral epicondylitis .
BACKGROUND Upper limb pain is common among working-aged adults and a frequent cause of absenteeism .
AIMS To systematic ally review the evidence for workplace interventions in four common upper limb disorders .