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 .
Prognostic factors in lateral epicondylitis: a randomized trial with one-year follow-up in 266 new cases treated with minimal occupational intervention or the usual approach in general practice.
OBJECTIVES To determine whether minimal intervention by occupational specialists involving information about the disorder , encouragement to stay active and instruction in grade d self-performed exercises could enhance the prognosis of lateral epicondylitis compared with the treatment usually given in general practice , to quantify workplace factors associated with the prognosis , and to consider treatments given in general practice . METHODS A r and omized controlled trial was performed in a cohort of 266 consecutive new cases of lateral epicondylitis diagnosed in general practice . Workplace factors were assessed with question naires at the time of inclusion , and patients completed follow-ups at 3 , 6 and 12 months . Status at 1 yr was assessed as overall improvement and pain reduction compared with the time of diagnosis . General practitioners ( GPs ) registered the treatments given for both cases and controls during follow-up . Numbers of contacts with GPs and physiotherapists were obtained from the National Health Insurance registry . Prognostic factors were analysed by multiple logistic regression analysis . RESULTS After 1 yr , 83 % of cases showed improvement in the condition , but the intervention was found to have had no advantage . Poor overall improvement was associated with employment in manual jobs [ odds ratio ( OR ) 3.0 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) 1.0 - 8.7 ] , a high level of physical strain at work ( OR 8.5 , CI 1.0 - 74.7 ) and a high level of pain at baseline ( OR 2.3 , CI 1.0 - 5.3 ) . Pain reduction less than 50 % was associated with manual jobs ( OR 2.3 , CI 1.1 - 5.1 ) , high physical strain at work ( OR 3.6 , CI 1.0 - 12.9 ) , high baseline distress ( OR 1.9 , CI 1.0 - 4.0 ) and tennis elbow on the dominant side ( OR 3.1 , CI 1.4 - 6.8 ) . The intervention group received less treatment and fewer treatment modalities , but the intervention was not followed by a reduction in the number of visits to GPs and physiotherapist clinics during 12 months of follow-up . CONCLUSIONS Poor prognosis at 1 yr of follow-up for lateral epicondylitis was related to manual work and high baseline pain , whilst no relation was found between the type of medical treatment given/chosen and prognosis . This may have implication s for the future management of lateral epicondylitis in terms of a greater focus on interaction with the workplace regarding job modification to reduce physical dem and s during recovery
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 .