We found inconsistent evidence that the use of an arm support or an alternative mouse may or may not reduce the incidence of neck or shoulder MSDs .
For other physical ergonomic interventions there is no evidence of an effect .
For organisational interventions , in the form of supplementary breaks , there is very low- quality evidence of an effect on upper limb discomfort .
For training and multifaceted interventions there is no evidence of an effect on upper limb pain or discomfort .
BACKGROUND Work-related upper limb and neck musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) are one of the most common occupational disorders worldwide .
Studies have shown that the percentage of office workers that suffer from MSDs ranges from 20 to 60 per cent .
The direct and indirect costs of work-related upper limb MSDs have been reported to be high in Europe , Australia , and the United States .
Although ergonomic interventions are likely to reduce the risk of office workers developing work-related upper limb and neck MSDs , the evidence is unclear .
This is an up date of a Cochrane Review which was last published in 2012 .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of physical , cognitive and organisational ergonomic interventions , or combinations of those interventions for the prevention of work-related upper limb and neck MSDs among office workers .
Participatory ergonomics to reduce exposure to psychosocial and physical risk factors for low back pain and neck pain: results of a cluster randomised controlled trial
Objectives This study investigated the effectiveness of the Stay@Work participatory ergonomics programme to reduce workers′ exposure to psychosocial and physical risk factors . Methods 37 departments ( n=3047 workers ) from four Dutch companies participated in this cluster r and omised controlled trial ; 19 ( n=1472 workers ) were r and omised to an intervention group ( participatory ergonomics ) and 18 ( n=1575 workers ) to a  control group ( no participatory ergonomics ) . During a 6 h meeting guided by an ergonomist , working groups devised ergonomic measures to reduce psychosocial and physical workload and implemented them within 3 months in their departments . Data on psychosocial and physical risk factors for low back pain and neck pain were collected at baseline and after 6 months . Psychosocial risk factors were measured using the Job Content Question naire and physical risk factors using the Dutch Musculoskeletal Question naire . Intervention effects were studied using multilevel analysis . Results Intervention group workers significantly increased on decision latitude ( 0.29 points ; 95 % CI 0.07 to 0.52 ) and decision authority ( 0.16 points ; 95 % CI 0.04 to 0.28 ) compared to control workers . However , exposure to awkward trunk working postures significantly increased in the intervention group ( OR 1.86 ; 95 % CI 1.15 to 3.01 ) compared to the control group . No significant differences between the intervention and control group were found for the remaining risk factors . After 6 months , loss to follow-up was 35 % in the intervention group and 29 % in the control group . Conclusion Participatory ergonomics was not effective in reducing exposure to psychosocial and physical risk factors for low back pain and neck pain among a large group of workers . Trial registration IS RCT N27472278
We found inconsistent evidence that the use of an arm support or an alternative mouse may or may not reduce the incidence of neck or shoulder MSDs .
For other physical ergonomic interventions there is no evidence of an effect .
For organisational interventions , in the form of supplementary breaks , there is very low- quality evidence of an effect on upper limb discomfort .
For training and multifaceted interventions there is no evidence of an effect on upper limb pain or discomfort .
BACKGROUND Work-related upper limb and neck musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) are one of the most common occupational disorders worldwide .
Studies have shown that the percentage of office workers that suffer from MSDs ranges from 20 to 60 per cent .
The direct and indirect costs of work-related upper limb MSDs have been reported to be high in Europe , Australia , and the United States .
Although ergonomic interventions are likely to reduce the risk of office workers developing work-related upper limb and neck MSDs , the evidence is unclear .
This is an up date of a Cochrane Review which was last published in 2012 .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of physical , cognitive and organisational ergonomic interventions , or combinations of those interventions for the prevention of work-related upper limb and neck MSDs among office workers .