Interventions to prevent and reduce work-related musculoskeletal injuries and pain among healthcare professionals. A comprehensive systematic review of the literature. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Albanesi, Beatrice; Piredda, Michela; Bravi, Marco; Bressi, Federica; Gualandi, Raffaella; Marchetti, Anna; Facchinetti, Gabriella; Ianni, Andrea; Cordella, Francesca; Zollo, Loredana; De Marinis, Maria Grazia
• Is Part Of: Journal of safety research. Volume 82(2022)
• Page Start: 124
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Musculoskeletal diseases -- Musculoskeletal conditions -- Pain -- Health personnel -- Systematic review; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Safety -- Periodicals; Accidents, Occupational -- Periodicals; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prevention; Industrial safety; Periodicals; 363.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2022.05.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4375

Abstract

Highlights: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) represent one of the main causes of injury among healthcare professionals. The account of interventions for reducing and preventing WMSD injuries and pain in healthcare professionals is still fragmented. Based on the classification framework of Okaman et al. (2019) was provided a complete description of existing interventions on WMSD injuries and pain among healthcare professionals. Multifaceted interventions showed a significant reduction of WMSD injuries and pain. Abstract: Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the main causes of injury and pain in healthcare professionals. Previous reviews provided a fragmented view of the interventions available for WMSDs. This review aims to provide a comprehensive description of interventions for preventing and reducing work-related musculoskeletal injuries and/or pain among healthcare professionals, and to assess the methodological quality of studies. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed, based on the Effective Public Health Practice Project process. A comprehensive search was conducted on six peer-reviewed databases and manually. The methodological quality of the studies included was rated as weak, moderate, or strong. The studies were organized based on the 2019 classification of the interventions by Oakman and colleagues. Results: Twenty-seven articles were included reporting individual ( n = 4), task-specific ( n = 4), work organization and job design ( n = 2), work environment ( n = 1), and multifactorial ( n = 16) interventions. Overall quality rating was strong for 6 studies, moderate for 16, and weak for 5. Individual interventions such as neuromuscular and physical exercise were effective in reducing pain. Task-specific and work organization interventions could prevent certain injuries. Significant reduction of both injuries and pain resulted from multifactorial interventions, which were reported by the majority of strong ( n = 5) and moderate ( n = 10) quality articles. Conclusions: This review provides healthcare professionals with evidence-based information to plan interventions targeted towards reducing WMSDs. In particular, more efforts are needed to implement and extend effective multifactorial interventions. Moreover, studies about each professional healthcare target group are needed. Practical Application: Our results can guide policy-makers, healthcare managers and professionals to choose the best strategies to prevent and reduce WMSDs and to shape continuous education programs. This study prompts clinicians to develop inter-professional collaborations and to practice physical activities in order to reduce WMSDs.