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 .
Effectiveness of a feedback signal in a computer mouse on upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms: a randomised controlled trial with an 8-month follow-up
Objectives : To study the effectiveness of using a computer mouse with a feedback signal for upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms in office workers . Methods : A r and omised controlled trial with 8 months of follow-up was carried out . The intervention consisted of a computer mouse with a feedback signal . In total , 354 subjects were allocated to the intervention group or the  control group . Measurements were performed with electronic question naires at baseline , after 4 months and after 8 months . Outcome variables were the prevalence and incidence of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disability in the upper extremities . The intervention process was evaluated by software registration . Results : The use of the mouse with a feedback signal result ed in a significant decrease in duration of mouse usage over time . No differences were found in the number of mouse usage rest breaks . No differences were found in the prevalence ( p = 0.29 ) or incidence ( p = 0.832 ) of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms between the groups 8 months after baseline . The prevalence decreased from 49 % at baseline to 44 % after 8 months in the control group , while it remained at 36 % in the intervention group . The incidence was 21 % in the control group and 22 % in the intervention group . Among the population with upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms at baseline , the risk of experiencing symptoms after 8 months did not differ between the groups ( p = 0.49 ) . Minor disability was found in both groups . In the intervention group , a lower level of physical disability over time was reported than in the control group ( p = 0.02 ) . Conclusions : A feedback signal computer mouse does not affect the prevalence and incidence of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms , but it does lower disability scores . Given the high prevalence , study ing preventive interventions for upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms is of high importance . Trial registration number : IS RCT N13222474
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 .