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 questionnaire based intervention programme on the prevalence of arm, shoulder and neck symptoms, risk factors and sick leave in computer workers: A cluster randomised controlled trial in an occupational setting
Background Arm , shoulder and neck symptoms are very prevalent among computer workers . In an attempt to reduce these symptoms , a large occupational health service in the Netherl and s developed a preventive programme on exposure to risk factors , prevalence of arm , shoulder and neck symptoms , and sick leave in computer workers . The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this intervention programme . Methods The study was a r and omised controlled trial . The participants were assigned to either the intervention group or the usual care group by means of cluster r and omisation . At baseline and after 12 months of follow-up , the participants completed the RSI QuickScan question naire on exposure to the risk factors and on the prevalence of arm , shoulder and neck symptoms . A tailor-made intervention programme was proposed to participants with a high risk profile at baseline . Examples of implemented interventions are an individual workstation check , a visit to the occupational health physician and an education programme on the prevention of arm , shoulder and neck symptoms . The primary outcome measure was the prevalence of arm , shoulder and neck symptoms . Secondary outcome measures were the scores on risk factors for arm , shoulder and neck symptoms and the number of days of sick leave . Sick leave data was obtained from the companies . Multilevel analyses were used to test the effectiveness . Results Of the 1,673 persons invited to participate in the study , 1,183 persons ( 71 % ) completed the baseline question naire and 741 persons participated at baseline as well as at 12-month follow-up . At 12-month follow-up , the intervention group showed a significant positive change ( OR = 0.48 ) in receiving information on healthy computer use , as well as a significant positive change regarding risk indicators for work posture and movement , compared to the usual care group . There were no significant differences in changes in the prevalence of arm , shoulder and neck symptoms or sick leave between the intervention and usual care group . Conclusions The effects of the RSI QuickScan intervention programme were small , possibly as a result of difficulties with the implementation process of the proposed interventions . However , some significant positive effects were found as to an increase in receiving education and a decrease in exposure to adverse postures and movements . With regard to symptoms and sick leave , only small and non-significant effects were found . Trial registration Netherl and s National Trial Register
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 .