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 .
Controlled breaks as a fatigue countermeasure on the flight deck.
BACKGROUND A major challenge for flight crews is the need to maintain vigilance during long , highly automated nighttime flights . No system currently exists to assist in managing alertness , and countermeasure options are limited . Surveys reveal many pilots use breaks as an in-flight countermeasure , but there have been no controlled studies of their effectiveness . HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that brief , regular breaks could improve alertness and performance during an overnight flight . METHOD A 6-h , uneventful , nighttime flight in a Boeing 747 - 400 flight simulator was flown by fourteen two-man crews . The 14 subjects in the treatment group received 5 short breaks spaced hourly during cruise ; the 14 subjects in the control group received 1 break in the middle of cruise .  Continuous EEG/EOG , subjective sleepiness , and psychomotor vigilance performance data were collected . RESULTS During the latter part of the night , the treatment group showed significant reductions for 15 min post-break in slow eye movements , theta-b and activity , and unintended sleep episodes compared with the control group . The treatment group reported significantly greater subjective alertness for up to 25 min post-break , with strongest effects near the time of the circadian trough . There was no evidence of objective vigilance performance improvement at 15 - 25 min post-break , with expected performance deterioration occurring due to elevated sleep drive and circadian time . CONCLUSIONS The physiological and subjective data indicate the breaks reduced nighttime sleepiness for at least 15 min post-break and may have masked sleepiness for up to 25 min , suggesting the potential usefulness of short- duration breaks as an in-flight fatigue countermeasure
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 .