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 .
Supplementary breaks and stretching exercises for data entry operators: a follow-up field study.
BACKGROUND This study exp and ed previous NIOSH-IRS research examining the effects of rest breaks and stretching exercises on symptoms and performance in data -entry workers . METHODS All workers spent 4 weeks with conventional breaks ( two 15 min breaks per day ) and 4 weeks with supplementary breaks ( two 15 min breaks plus four 5 min breaks per day ) . One-half were assigned at r and om to a group instructed to perform brief stretching exercises during breaks . The remainder comprised the " no stretching " ( control ) group . RESULTS 51 workers ( stretch group n = 21 ; no stretch group n = 30 ) completed the study symptom question naires . Discomfort and eyestrain were significantly lower with supplementary breaks , and supplementary breaks attenuated accumulation of discomfort and eyestrain during work sessions . Data -entry speed was significantly faster with supplementary breaks so that work output was maintained , despite replacing 20 min of work time with break time . In the stretch group , workers reported  stretching  during only 25 % of conventional breaks and 39 % of supplementary breaks , and no significant effects of stretching on discomfort or performance were observed . CONCLUSIONS These results provide further converging evidence that supplementary breaks reliably minimize discomfort and eyestrain without impairing productivity . Low compliance in performing stretches prevented valid assessment of stretching effects . Further research on stretching exercises and exercise compliance is warranted
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 .