Labor gymnastics in health professionals: a systematic review

Abstract

This aimed to systematically review randomized controlled trials and compare the effectiveness of labor gymnastics with that of no intervention, minimal intervention or other types of intervention in healthcare workers, in relation to musculoskeletal pain, stress, physical disability, and absence from work. A search was carried out in the PUBMED, Pedro, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHAL, PSYCHINFO, NIOSHTIC-2, SPORT DICUS, SCIELO, and LILACS databases. In total, 3,598 articles were found, seven of which were eligible for the study. There was a statistical difference in musculoskeletal pain in favor of labor gymnastics after 5, 10 and 12 weeks (MD: −0.63; 95%, CI: −1.17; −0.08) and 6, 9 and 12 months of intervention (MD: −0.74; 95% CI: −1.43; −0.05). There was also a statistical difference in favor of labor gymnastics in terms of time off work (MD: −3.26; 95% CI: −6.28; −0.25) and stress (SMD: −0.35; 95% CI: −0.67; −0.03) in studies in which interventions were carried out for 5 and 10 weeks. Labor gymnastics can contribute to the physical and mental health of healthcare professionals. However, more randomized controlled studies with a larger sample size and aimed at this professional category are needed.