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 .
Role of mechanical and psychosocial factors in the onset of forearm pain: prospective population based study
Abstract Objective : To determine the aetiology of forearm pain . In particular to determine the relative contribution of ( a ) psychological factors , features of somatisation , and health anxiety and behaviour , ( b ) work related mechanical factors , and ( c ) work related psychosocial factors in the onset of forearm pain . Design : 2 year prospect i ve population based cohort study , with retrospective assessment of exposures at work . Setting : Altrincham , Greater Manchester . Participants : 1953 individuals aged 18 - 65 years . Outcome measures : Forearm pain of new onset . Results : At follow up , 105 ( 8.3 % ) participants reported forearm pain of new onset lasting at least one day in the past month . Among these , 67 % also reported shoulder pain , 65 % back pain , and 45 % chronic widespread pain . Increased risks of onset were associated with high levels of psychological distress ( relative risk 2.4 , 95 % confidence interval 1.5 to 3.8 ) , reporting at least two other somatic symptoms ( 1.7 , 0.95 to 3.0 ) , and high scores on the illness behaviour subscale of the illness attitude scales . The two work related mechanical exposures associated with the highest risk of forearm pain in the future were repetitive movements of the arm ( 4.1 , 1.7 to 10 ) or wrists ( 3.4 , 1.3 to 8.7 ) , whereas the strongest work related psychosocial risk was dissatisfaction with support from colleagues or supervisors ( 4.7 , 2.2 to 10 ) . Conclusions : Psychological distress , aspects of illness behaviour , and other somatic symptoms are important predictors of onset of forearm pain in addition to work related psychosocial and mechanical factors . Misleading terms such as “ cumulative trauma disorder ” or “ repetitive strain injury , ” implying a single uniform aetiology , should be avoided
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 .